Industrialization in Developing Nations

Economic and Social CouncilUnited Nations Development Programme

TopicIndustrialization in Developing Nations

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is “the UN’s global development network.” Headquartered in New York City, the UNDP operates in over 177 countries, supporting efforts to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aka the Global Goals. The UNDP assists governments, civil society, and other stakeholders working together to “end poverty and reduce inequality, while protecting the planet and championing human rights.” Industrialization is a key indicator of economic well-being, and supporting industrialization is a long-established UN goal. At GLIMUN, this committee is tasked with finding ways to help developing countries build environmentally sustainable industrial capacity.

Industrialization, broadly speaking, refers to the long-term transformation of an economy characterized by low-productivity, often agricultural production to one based on higher-productivity manufacturing utilizing machines and other capital-intensive equipment. Industrial economies require knowledge, infrastructure, and resources to support complex production processes capable of turning raw materials into intermediate or finished goods of higher value. Industrialization has long been seen as a marker of economic development, and contemporary advanced economies all had significant industrial sectors at one time or another.

Barriers to industrialization are myriad. A lack of infrastructure, poor regulatory environments, corruption, conflict, and environmental degradation all inhibit industrialization efforts in developing countries. Add to this list extreme industrial overcapacity in advanced economies, particularly the People’s Republic of China, and the task before the UNDP at GLIMUN 2026 seems insurmountable. Delegates must come prepared with creative solutions and a willingness to explore alternatives. It will not be possible to overcome all challenges facing industrializing economies; therefore, you should have some idea of where progress may be achievable.

Focus Questions:

1. What are some ways to concretely measure industrialization and whether a country is developing?
2. Should developing nations prioritize rapid industrial growth even if it creates short-term environmental or social costs?
3. Should wealthy nations provide financial and technical assistance so developing countries can deploy cleaner technologies?
4. How can industrialization expand opportunities for women, young people, and marginalized communities?

Be sure to familiarize yourself with past UN resolutions and actions related to the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 9.

Useful Links:

The Addis Ababa Action Agenda on financing sustainable development
https://financing.desa.un.org/iatf/action-areas/cross-cutting-issues/promoting-inclusive-and-sustainable-industrialization

The Next Global Economic Crisis Could Be Made in China
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/next-global-economic-crisis-made-china-michael-froman

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