Daron Acemoglu on the Good-Jobs Imperative — ABCDE 2026

Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu opens the 2026 Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) with a keynote address on the urgent need for good jobs across the world. Over the next 25 years, countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East will see an unprecedented surge in their working-age population. This shift could become one of the defining economic opportunities of the century—or a source of growing instability. World Bank Group Chief Economist Indermit Gill will set the stage for this important discussion, outlining the challenges and opportunities the world will face in creating productive and rewarding jobs for the next generation. Visit the 2026 ABCDE website to explore the program and watch additional sessions live online