The world faces unprecedented challenges in harmonizing economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs will introduce the new Sustainable Development Solutions Network under the auspices of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and discuss how the SDSN aims to support Asia's great challenges of sustainable development.  

Professor Sachs is widely considered to be one of the world's leading experts on economic development and the fight against poverty. His work on ending poverty, promoting economic growth, fighting hunger and disease, and promoting sustainable environmental practices, has taken him to more than 125 countries.

Professor Sachs was previously Director of the United Nations Millennium Project and was recently tasked by the United Nations Secretary-General to lead the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. He has advised dozens of heads of state and governments on economic strategy, in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

This event is a part of the ESCAP Distinguished Person Lecture Series in which talks have been delivered by Professor Joseph Stiglitz (August 2009), Sir Richard Jolly and Dr. Louis Emmerij (November 2009), Professor Amartya Sen (July 2010), President Haruhiko Kuroda of the Asian Development Bank (November 2010) and Professor Robert Mundell (December 2011).