In May 2025, the Secretary-General of the United Nations appointed an independent High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Beyond GDP with a mandate to develop recommendations for a limited set of country-owned, universally applicable indicators that complement Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This initiative responds to the recognition that while economic growth remains central to improving living standards, GDP alone fails to capture essential aspects of life such as equity, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
Objectives
The World Café will provide an interactive space for RCs/ Resident Coordinator Offices (RCOs)/ UN Country teams to:
- Provide a concise preview of the emerging recommendations from the Beyond GDP High-Level Expert Group ahead of the May report launch.
- Enhance awareness regarding the conceptual framework and the proposed dashboard of indicators.
- Activate the RCOs to support in-country work, including national dialogues and policy uptake.
- Identify practical pathways for RCs and UNCTs to engage National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and Ministries of Finance in the implementation and testing of the new metrics.
Expected Outcomes
The World Café will produce:
- Shared understanding among RCs and RCOs regarding the Beyond GDP narrative and its implementation roadmap.
- Practical guidance on how RCOs can inform Member State deliberations and connect national realities to the intergovernmental process.
- Recommendations for activating UN system support for in-country piloting and the integration of broader progress indicators into national budgeting and planning.
This work contributes to the project "Beyond GDP: Advancing global and national initiatives to develop, compile and integrate beyond-GDP metrics to foster inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking policy making" with financial support from the 2030 Agenda Sub-Fund of the United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund.
