Since the concept of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) appeared in 1930s, GDP has been used as an indicator for gauging national growth. The notion that economic growth fully equates to national development has been taken for granted. However, does economic development really define the progress of societies?

The American economist Richard Easterlin found that happiness data sets are typically stationary in spite of considerable increases in income. This theory of 'Easterlin Paradox,' makes us reconsider what genuine progress means. In recent years, doubts on a real sense of progress have been raised all around the world and a global wave is rising to redefine genuine progress.

As part of this global movement, the OECD World Forum has led the way in re-establishing the meaning of progress not only from economic aspects but also in terms of social and environmental perspectives by developing alternative sets of indicators to measure progress. Furthermore, the OECD World Forum has presented a pathway to approach the real progress of societies by measuring progress with objective indicators like statistics and pursuing evidence-based policy making frames.

In this connection, it is a great pleasure that Korea, as a joint host of the 3^rd OECD World Forum, has an opportunity to play a key role in sharing and disseminating this new paradigm of progress.

Under the theme of "Charting Progress, Building Visions, Improving Life," the 3^rd OECD World Forum on "Statistics, Knowledge and Policy" will be an opportunity to re-identify what progress means in the 21^st century. Also, it will contribute to establish comprehensive indicator sets to measure this newly conceptualized "progress" and to share the best practices of evidence-based policy making.

The 3^rd OECD World Forum will be attended by approximately 1,500 participants from about 130 countries including high-level policy makers, representatives of international organizations, chief statisticians, Nobel laureates, representatives from civil societies and business leaders.

I trust that this forum will be a valuable event for intercultural understanding, as well as a productive opportunity for critical considerations and creative discussions on sustainable development and quality of life. Furthermore, I hope that the forum will be a chance for the participants to enjoy Korean culture and tradition, as well as natural beauty of Busan; the internationally renowned port city.

The Korean Government is devoting its effort to make this 3^rd OECD World Forum a successful and prestigious event.

I sincerely welcome you all to Busan in October 2009.