On 31 May-2 June, the Swedish government will host the World Bank's Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE). This year it focuses explicitly on environmental issues in light of the financial and economic crisis, fragile states and human and social development.

The conference will gather some of the most prominent researchers in the areas of economics, environment and development, and bring them together with policy makers and practitioners from all over the world. Speakers include Nobel Laureates Elinor Ostrom, Joseph Stiglitz, Eric Maskin, James Mirrlees and Robert Solow, as well as leading environmental researchers like Paul Ehrlich, Simon Levin and Johan Rockström.

Some of the most urgent global challenges, such as environment and climate change as well as the financial and economic crisis, will be covered during the conference. The overall theme is Development Challenges in a Post-Crisis World and the conference will focus on five broad topics:

• Environmental Commons and the Green Economy
• Post-Crisis Debates on Development Strategy
• The Political Economy of Fragile States
• News Ways of Measuring Welfare
• Social Programs and Transfers: Are We Learning?

The ABCDE-Conference was first organized in 1989 and has, since then, been established as one of the most prominent annual conferences on development economics. This year's conference will gather around 600 delegates and experts from all over the world in Stockholm.

Watch it online here: http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/13206