Conference Overview
The global economy is experiencing a period of profound and sustained turbulence. What were once seen as separate shocks, financial instability, pandemics, climate disasters, geopolitical tensions, and rising debt burdens, are now increasingly intertwined. This convergence of pressures, often described as a poly-crisis, reflects deep structural shifts rather than temporary disruptions. Its impacts are particularly severe across the Global South, where limited fiscal space, heightened climate vulnerability, and growing external debt constraints restrict policy options. For many developing economies, these overlapping pressures are complicating recovery, widening development gaps, and making long-term resilience harder to achieve. At the same time, rapid technological change, shifting global production systems, and evolving patterns of trade and cooperation are reshaping development pathways.
The 6th SESS Annual International Conference (CBERCON26) at IBA Karachi provides a forum to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to engage in thoughtful discussions and critical reflections on these emerging global realities and identify pathways toward more resilient and sustainable futures.
The sub-themes of this year's conference include the following:
1. Climate Change and Economic Vulnerability: Climate change is not only an environmental challenge but a macroeconomic risk. For developing countries, recurring floods, heatwaves, and water stress disrupt agriculture, damage infrastructure, widen fiscal deficits, and push vulnerable populations into poverty. This sub-theme examines how climate shocks affect growth, inequality, and public finance, and how adaptation and resilience-building can be integrated into economic planning.
2. Energy Transition: Balancing Affordability and Sustainability: Energy reform lies at the heart of economic stability. High generation costs, circular debt, and dependence on imported fuels strain public finances and households. At the same time, global pressure for decarbonization demands a shift toward renewables. This theme explores how to transition to cleaner energy while ensuring affordability, energy security, and industrial competitiveness.
3. Stabilization, Structural Transformation and Growth: Developing countries has frequently relied on short-term stabilization measures to manage balance-of-payments crises. However, long-term prosperity requires structural transformation—broadening the tax base, enhancing productivity, strengthening institutions, and diversifying exports. This sub-theme focuses on moving beyond crisis management toward sustainable and inclusive growth.
4. Geopolitics, Emerging Protectionism, and Trade Fragmentation: Rising geopolitical tensions and protectionist policies are reshaping global trade and supply chains. Intensifying global competition over rare earth minerals and other strategic resources has turned trade into an instrument of geopolitical power. For export-dependent and developing economies, this fragmentation creates both risks and new alignments. This theme examines how global south can navigate shifting global alliances, safeguard trade interests, and position itself within an evolving international economic order.
5. Demography, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of Work: With a rapidly growing youth population, job creation is most pressing socio-economic challenge. Technological change, automation, and the digital economy are transforming labor markets worldwide. This sub-theme explores strategies for employment generation, skills development, productivity enhancement, and inclusive participation in the future economy.
6. Populism, Democratic Institution and Political Instability: In periods of prolonged economic stress and overlapping crises, populist politics often gain traction. While such narratives may mobilize public support, they can weaken democratic institutions by undermining checks and balances. This sub-theme explores how persistent poly-crises can accelerate democratic erosion, political instability distort policy choices and narrow the space for inclusive and evidence-based governance. It also examines pathways to safeguard democratic accountability and rebuild institutional trust as essential foundations for a sustainable and resilient future.
7. Poverty, Inequality, and Social Justice: Persistent poverty and widening inequalities remain central challenges for many developing economies, particularly in times of economic instability and structural transformation. This sub-theme explores how disparities in income, wealth, access to opportunities, and basic services shape social and economic outcomes. It also examines policy approaches that promote social justice—such as equitable taxation, inclusive growth strategies, and strengthened social protection systems—to ensure that development benefits are shared broadly and contribute to a more just and sustainable society.