On 24 June, the University of Dubrovnik hosted an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as part of the preparatory process for the Industrial Development Report (IDR) 2026. This prestigious publication is UNIDO’s flagship report, and the University of Dubrovnik is contributing to its preparation as the regional partner for Eastern Europe.
The meeting brought together leading experts from Eastern Europe and Central Asia to discuss the key challenges, policy directions, and sectoral opportunities that will shape the region’s future path of industrialization. The theme of the 2026 IDR aligns with UNIDO’s Vision 2050 strategy, which explores the transformation of industrial development in the era of digitalization, sustainability, and shifts in global value chains.
The University of Dubrovnik is contributing to the report through an in-depth examination of the region’s industrial development prospects, the identification of structural and institutional barriers to transformation, and the formulation of actionable policy recommendations. Special attention is also given to identifying sectoral opportunities with strong potential for technological and economic advancement.
This collaboration represents a major step forward for Croatian economic science. For the first time, a Croatian faculty of economics is directly involved in the development of the Industrial Development Report, one of the most influential global publications in the field of industrial policy. It further affirms the University of Dubrovnik’s position, particularly through its research center CREDO, as Croatia’s leading academic hub for industrial economics and policy research.
Participants also addressed the critical role of public policy, innovation ecosystems, education, and international cooperation in strengthening industrial resilience and competitiveness. The conclusions and recommendations from the Dubrovnik meeting will be incorporated into the Eastern Europe and Central Asia regional chapter of the 2026 IDR, ensuring the region’s perspectives are clearly reflected in this globally significant report.
As host and co-organizer, the University of Dubrovnik continues its mission of connecting science with international development processes, promoting research excellence, and creating platforms for dialogue between academia, policy, and industry on a global scale.
