Is demographic change a bigger global challenge than climate change? And is population ageing, in fact, one of humanity’s greatest successes?

In this episode, listen back to the launch of the EBRD’s Transition Report 2025-26: Brave Old World. Moderated by Richard Porter, EBRD Managing Director of Communications, the discussion brings together a distinguished panel:

Brave Old World explores how demographic shifts are reshaping economies—from rapidly ageing societies to countries with youthful, fast-growing populations. The report examines declining fertility rates, the economic consequences of ageing, and the policy tools that can help countries adapt. These include extending productive working lives, accelerating automation, and enabling labour mobility.

In the context of escalating geopolitical tensions, environmental challenges and rapid technological change, industrial policies – state-led strategic interventions designed to reshape an economy’s production structure – have made a comeback in both advanced economies and emerging markets. These policies seek to address global market failures such as climate change, foster economic growth, boost innovation and improve competitiveness. However, they have a mixed track record and pose complex challenges, which this panel will explore.

This discussion examined whether and how emerging markets can use industrial policy to drive sustainable economic growth, diversify economies and enhance competitiveness while navigating global geopolitical uncertainty and avoiding the mistakes of the past. It explored how these economies can manage the delicate balance between national competitiveness and international cooperation.

Speakers: Richard Porter, MD, Communications, EBRD Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist, EBRD Jeromin Zettelmeyer, Director, Bruegel Bernardo Sestini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SIAD Group Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of British International Investment

Listen back to the live launch of the EBRD regional economic forecasts during the 34th EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum in London.

The discussion covered the latest economic forecasts for the regions where the EBRD invests. The EBRD’s Chief Economist, Beata Javorcik, and leading regional experts discussed the challenges confronting policymakers amidst rising geo-political tensions and intensifying pressures on government finances.

Speakers: Jonathan Charles, Strategy Advisor Sergey Guriev, Dean, Professor of Economics, London Business School Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist, EBRD Lord Jim O'Neill of Gatley

Listen to the discussion on the industrial policy at the launch of the EBRD Transition Report, moderated by Richard Porter, EBRD Managing Director of Communications. It featured:

Read it here: https://2024.tr-ebrd.com

Listen to the live launch of EBRD Transition Report 2023-24 Transitions big and small.

The discussion featured

• Charlotta Källbäck, Head of Internal Audit, Volvo Cars

Moderated by Jonathan Charles

The report entitled “Transitions big and small” discusses the ways in which the deep structural transformation of the global economy is impacting the lives, livelihoods and living conditions of people across the EBRD regions. It focuses on important “big transitions” such as the shift towards a sustainable economy, the reconfiguration of global supply chains, and the scramble for the raw materials required by the digital and green economies.

The report uses unique data from the fourth round of the Life in Transition Survey, a household survey conducted in 2022 and 2023, to see how these macro-level trends translate into “small transitions”: career moves, changes in physical and mental health, the refurbishment of housing and – ultimately – changes in people’s satisfaction with life.

Policymakers and investors need to be aware of the short and long-term challenges Ukraine faces during the war and those that the country will have to deal with in the post-war period.

• Jonathan Charles, Strategic Communications Consultant and Broadcaster

Speakers

• Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist, EBRD

The much-anticipated EBRD Regional Economic Prospects were back in the new panel discussion format for a special EBRD Annual Meeting 2023 edition. The interactive discussion covered the latest economic forecasts for the regions where the EBRD invests. EBRD Chief Economist Beata Javorcik discussed with outstanding regional experts the extraordinary challenges that policymakers are confronted with in the world of relentless inflationary pressures and repeated economic crises.

Beata Javorcik, Chief Economist, EBRD

Jonathan Charles, Strategic Communications Consultant and Broadcaster

Sergei Guriev, Professor of Economics, Institut d'Études Politiques

Nearly nine months after the Russian invasion, the war has seriously affected Ukraine’s economy, which is facing daunting tasks.

Macroeconomic and financial sector stability are essential for the continued functioning of the economy and maintaining the war effort. Supporting and stimulating the real economy are the key elements of its economic sustainability.

Participants:

• Odile Renaud-Basso,  President,  EBRD

Listen to the live launch of the Transition Report 2022-23: Business Unusual.\

A global pandemic, lockdowns, supply-chain disruption, war in Europe, rocketing gas prices, forced mass migration, high inflation, growing debt burdens, reshoring, friendshoring … This non-exhaustive – yet quite exhausting – list would be enough of a challenge for governments and businesses to manage over a decade or more. And yet, all of this has happened over the past three years, with the prospect of more turbulence to come. 

It is clear that there is no going back to the pre-pandemic “business as usual”. Our approach to work has been revolutionised, while the war and the energy crisis are transforming our views on energy and food security, prompting a major rethink of how economies and businesses obtain critical raw materials and complex parts and components.

The title of this year’s Transition Report – “Business Unusual” – encapsulates the tectonic changes that policymakers and businesses have been dealing with and will continue to face for some time to come. The report focuses on how these developments have played out in the EBRD regions. Based on recent surveys providing a plethora of new data and on other newly compiled information, the report presents a wealth of analysis that can inform public policy and business decision-making.

Speakers

• Philip Bennett is a former First Vice President and Head of the Client Services Group at the EBRD.

This special episode in Fearonomics series looks at the economic risks of recent geopolitical turmoil.

Participants: 

Heike Harmgart – EBRD Managing Director, SEMED