In a dynamic session on the Global Economic Outlook at the 13th Asian Leadership Conference (ALC) held in Seoul, South Korea, Professor Jeffrey Sachs the director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, addressed the evolving global landscape. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration among diverse nations, including South Korea, China, and Japan.
Professor Sachs has been called “probably the most important economist in the world” by The New York Times. His main research points are strategies to tackle extreme poverty, the battle against human-induced climate change, and the control of pandemics.
During his session, he highlighted the need for concerted efforts in navigating crises, particularly by supporting underdeveloped countries and focusing on low-income groups. Professor Sachs delved into the challenge of overcoming crises through political suppression of the economy, stressing the necessity to loosen regulations, fostering innovation, and diversify the supply chain. As the Bank of Korea responded to inflation by raising the benchmark interest rate, he underscored the significance of thoughtful policy decisions by the government and central bank during inflationary periods. During an engaging Q&A session with Professor Seong Tae-yoon of Yonsei University’s Department of Economics, Sachs reiterated that while central banks may need to raise interest rates quickly to control inflation, such measures could exacerbate the suffering of economically vulnerable groups. He emphasized the importance of government financial measures that focus on mitigating the impact on vulnerable groups during the central bank’s interest rate adjustment process, underscoring the need for international cooperation to assist countries in crisis.
In summary, Jeffrey Sachs’ insights shed light on the imperative for strategic cooperation, regulatory flexibility, and inclusive policies to foster innovation and sustainable growth in times of economic uncertainty.
Learn more about the Center for Asia Leadership’s programmes in strategic foresight and adaptive leadership here at bit.ly/lead-asia.
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