The Future Possibilities 2020 Report sets out to answer that question by identifying six transformational trends that are creating possibilities, and the factors that explain a country’s capacity to take advantage of those possibilities for the benefit of society. The COVID crisis of 2020 has made it palpable that it is no longer enough for government policies to aim to boost the productivity of the economy as a whole. The link between productivity and economic growth is weakening and, in many countries, growth is becoming less of a priority relative to issues such as climate change and income inequality. More importantly, the COVID pandemic has highlighted that efficiency can stand in the way of resilience needed for human security. Countries instead need to identify a goal— whether improved health or food security, better connectivity, or greater use of renewable energy sources—and define transformational public policies that create conditions for businesses to innovate and lead globally in finding solutions. History shows that it is possible for countries and cities to shape their future development by leveraging global trends: examples include Denmark establishing world-leading expertise in wind power and the UAE capitalising on global trade patterns to become a logistics hub. While some global trends do present risks that must be mitigated, psychological research suggests that a more positive outlook makes people more resilient in times of change. As countries start thinking about the post-COVID world, we hope that the Future Possibilities Report will encourage governments, businesses and societal stakeholders to think differently about development. By providing a practical approach, the report can help them to identify the trends to prioritise, and to work together to create ecosystems that will support the development of new business models, products and services. It will also support the process of rebuilding in engaging with a positive, possibilities-focused future perspective.
Foreword by H.E. Mohammad Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs -- approach to Development -- Foreword by H.E. Fabrizio Hochschild, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations -- Executive summary -- Acknowledgements -- Future pssibilities : A new approach to development Why future possibilities matter for development -- Systemic change requires transformational policies -- Six global transformations -- The exabyte economy: Hyperconnected devices, data and people -- The wellbeing economy: redefining health -- The net zero economy: scalable low carbon solutions -- The circular economy: waste not, want not -- The BioGrowth Economy: new agriculture and biomaterials -- The Experience Economy: from ownership to usership -- Leveraging future possibilities -- Core capacities -- National develpment strategies based on future possibilities -- Conclusion : building back better.

68 p. : ill., graphs, maps tables