THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will be hosting a three-day global conference from February 1 to further enhance and modernise nine key sectors by seeking advice from international experts amid a changed world order and a new normal.

The''Kerala Looks Ahead'' (KLA) Conference & Consultation looks at suggestions to achieve a paradigm shift in the state''s progress in the coming years, aiming renewed work on the economic policy''s twin aspects: Build on historic achievements in welfare and invigorate growth and development through technology.

Nobel laureate economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist with World Health Organisation (WHO), are prominent among those who will address the meet at the inaugural session to be held on February 1.

Representatives of government, policymakers, experts and captains of industry as well as heads of allied organisations will speak in different sectoral sessions.

Being organised by the Kerala State Planning Board, the deliberations are set to focus on nine themes, locating their potentials and means to meet them best in a post- pandemic scenario.

The sessions will cover primary sector (agriculture, fisheries and animal resources development), modern industrial possibilities, higher education, including international academic collaboration, skill development, tourism, information technology, e-governance, local governments, among others, a press release said.

"The state needs to strongly pursue development that can expand employment in various sectors with an emphasis on creating skilled jobs for educated youth, said Planning Board Vice-Chairperson, Dr V K Ramachandran, as Kerala is set to initiate its 14th Five Year Plan (2022-27).

"We must strengthen and upgrade public education and health, capitalise on the network of social welfare and add to the legacy of public action."

Dr Venu V, Member Secretary, Planning Board, pointed out that Kerala''s famed achievements in human development merit a relook in the wake of the current pandemic induced crisis.

"Not only do we need to modify our targets on health, education, social inclusion and gender justice; but we must all the more employ modern science and technology in sectors such as agriculture, industry, IT, transport, other large- scale infrastructure facilities," he said.

On February 2, deliberations on Agriculture, Federalism & Development Financing, IT, E-Governance and Local Governments, Agriculture Animal Resource Development & Fisheries, will be among those held.

A special session on industry will be held on the final day, ahead of the concluding session.