Seminars & Events
International Symposium
The Middle-Income Trap and Development Strategies in Asia in the Post-Globalization Era
* This seminar will be held in hybrid style (in-person and online).
Many countries currently at the middle-income stage have set the goal of reaching high-income status within the next 20 to 30 years. However, since the 1990s, only a few have successfully achieved this goal, while many others have been stuck in the "middle-income trap."
In today's environment, middle-income countries will find it increasingly difficult to transition to high-income status due to high levels of debt, aging populations, and rising protectionism in advanced economies.
This symposium will examine the analysis of the World Development Report 2024 in the context of the realities faced by Asian countries. It will discuss practical policy tools for countries at different stages of development. It will also provide a platform to discuss today’s shifting economic landscape, including global trade dynamics, financial fragilities, and geopolitical tensions, and how countries can overcome immediate challenges while achieving their long-term development goals.
We look forward to your participation.
Date & Time
Monday, 15 December 2025, 9:00-12:00 (Japan Standard Time)（Door opens at 8:30）
Venue
（In-person）
World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (Fukoku Seimei Building 14th Floor, Uchisaiwaicho 2-2-2, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
Nearest subway stations: Toei Mita Line, Uchisaiwaicho Station; Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Hibiya Line, and Marunouchi Line, Kasumigaseki Station
（Online）
Webex webinar
*You can join the Cisco Webex webinar on PCs (Windows/Mac), tablets or smartphones. When you join the Webex webinar for the first time, the Webex app will be automatically downloaded on your device. Please check whether you can use Webex with your device on the test site provided by Cisco (Cisco Webex | Test online meeting).
Program
| Time | Program |
|---|---|
| 9:00-9:10 |
Opening Remarks
|
| 9:10-9:20 |
Purpose of the Symposium
|
| 9:20-10:00 |
Keynote Speech “The Middle-Income Trap” (tentative)
|
| 10:00-10:20 |
Presentation 1: “Malaysia”
|
| 10:20-10:40 |
Presentation 2: “Thailand”
|
| 10:40-11:00 |
Presentation 3: “Indonesia”
|
| 11:00-11:10 | Break |
| 11:10-12:00 |
Panel Discussion and Q&A
|
Languages
Japanese and English (simultaneous interpretation provided)
Capacity
（In-person）70 persons
* We will ask you to attend the symposium online once we reach in-person capacity.
（Online）Registration will be closed once we reach capacity.
Registration
Participation is free, but prior registration is required. Please register via one of the websites below. Kindly note that registration deadlines are different for in-person and online participations. Registration will be closed once we reach capacity.
（In-person. Registration deadline: Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 13:00JST）
https://www.jetro.go.jp/form5/pub/roc/20251215form-venue
（Online. Registration deadline: Thursday, 11 December 2025, 13:00JST）
Organizers
Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), The World Bank, The Asahi Shimbun Company
Participation Fee
Free
Contact:
Outreach Event Division, Research Administration Department, IDE-JETRO
E-mail：sympo-sc 