From Economic Growth to Sustainability, with Ambassador Benjamin Rothen

This statement relates to the history of the System of National Accounts (SNA), developed by the UN Statistical Commission after World War II. The SNA includes the GDP and many other economic indicators, that were criticized since they are exist. In 2008, the Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi Commission analyzed these measurement systems and highlighted that indicators like GDP are insufficient to capture societal and environmental development. The OECD acknowledged this critique and launched projects in response, like the OECD Better Life Index. Since 2012, the UN has integrated this dialogue into the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Switzerland has been measuring economic and other indicators for many years to describe its condition and progress.

About the speaker

Ambassador Benjamin Rothen holds a background in political science and development cooperation and has spent sixteen years with the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, including four years as head of international and national affairs. In 2022, the Federal Council has conferred upon him the title of Ambassador. In this capacity, he chaired various committees at the UN, particularly regarding the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He was also part of Switzerland’s delegation in the negotiations for the Post-2015 / 2030 Agenda, led the organization of the 2021 UN World Data Forum in Bern, and co-founded the Bern Network on Financing Data for Development.