The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has successfully concluded the "Jobs and Development Conference 2026". As one of the signature events marking HKUST's 35th anniversary, this year's edition of the flagship international conference was held in Asia for the first time. It brought together more than 100 leading economists, policymakers and industry practitioners globally to discuss new challenges and opportunities arising from labor markets, the demand for emerging skills and economic transformation.
Held at HKUST's Clear Water Bay campus on October 9 and 10, the two-day conference was hosted by the HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies (IEMS) in partnership with the World Bank, the United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) at the University of Cape Town, the Institute for Structural Research (IBS), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It served as a premier global platform for advancing evidence-based research and policy dialogue on employment and development.
Convening international scholars and economists from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Australia, and South and Central America, the conference reflected the growing importance of global collaboration in addressing labor market challenges. The event explored a wide range of forward-looking topics, including artificial intelligence (AI) and technological transformation, inclusion and decent work, gender and labor markets, skills and lifelong learning, climate change and labor markets, and demographic transitions.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, welcomed participants from around the world and highlighted the University's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and international collaboration in addressing global challenges. She said: "For 35 years, HKUST has thrived on openness, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration to solve society's greatest challenges. We are living through a profound transformation driven by AI, which is no longer simply a productivity tool quietly sitting on our desktops, but is fundamentally reshaping how value is created, how skills are defined, and how work itself is organized. As economist Sir Christopher Pissarides reminded us recently, in this era of rapid technological advancement, 'The best skill that you could possibly have nowadays is learning how to learn in the future.' I believe this captures something essential about the moment we are in. The future of work will not be determined by technology alone, but by the policies, institutions, and social dialogue that guide it."
The conference featured keynote addresses by renowned scholars. On the first day, Prof. Justin LIN Yifu, Professor and Dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, and former Chief Economist of the World Bank, shared his insights on the theme "Industrialization, Decent Jobs and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals: A New Structural Economics Perspective". He explained the nature of modern economic development and the key to success through his "New Structural Economics" framework, illustrating how to identify and unlock a city's potential competitive advantages to create decent jobs and accelerate economic growth.
Another key highlight of the conference was the policy panel on the second day, moderated by Prof. Albert PARK, Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank, which examined the theme of "AI Adoption and Transformation of Work in Asia-Pacific". It explored how AI is reshaping labor markets across the region. The panel convened leading experts from academia and policy institutions, including Prof. TAM Kar-yan, Vice-President for Administration and Business of HKUST and Acting Director of IEMS; Ms. Kelly FORBES, President and Executive Director of the AI Asia Pacific Institute; and Prof. Rachel NGAI, Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a HKUST alumna. Their discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges arising from AI adoption, workforce adaptation and policy directions to support inclusive economic growth in the Asia-Pacific.
The program also featured special sessions organized by international partners, including the World Bank, ILO, UNU-WIDER, DPRU, IBS, IEMS and AFD. These sessions explored pressing issues such as skills development, lifelong learning, discrimination and inclusion, social protection, environmental shocks and labor market resilience, further strengthening the conference's role as a bridge connecting academic research to meaningful societal impact.
The conference also received active participation from the local government and public organizations. Researchers and economists from the HKSAR Government-including the Office of the Government Economist and the Labour and Welfare Bureau, as well as the Employees Retraining Board, participated in the sessions, underscoring Hong Kong's proactive role and international perspective in advancing policy discussions on the future of work and economic transformation.
In his closing remarks, Prof. TAM Kar-yan emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration among researchers, international organizations and policymakers to address the rapidly evolving challenges facing labor markets worldwide. He said: "The rise of AI presents both opportunities and challenges for workers and societies. Through sustained dialogue and global collaboration, we can help ensure that technological progress delivers inclusive benefits for all."
Established in 2013, IEMS provides thought leadership on issues facing businesses and policymakers in emerging markets. Building on the research strengths of the faculty at HKUST, the research Institute focuses its research and activities in relation to Greater Bay Area; Belt and Road, ESG, human capital, employment, and structural change; firms strategies, innovation and entrepreneurship; global economic integration; and financial development. The Institute supports world-class faculty research by providing funding, developing collaboration with research partners worldwide, and disseminating evidence-based insights to the academic and public policy communities through events, research publications, and online channels.
