IEA World Congress to open in Belgrade with over 1,000 participants

The World Congress of the International Economic Association (IEA) will take place in Belgrade from June 22 to 26, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from roughly 80 countries, President of the Serbian Association of Economists (SAE) Aleksandar Vlahovic announced on Wednesday.

The Congress, hosted at the Sava Center, will be attended by leading global economists, policymakers, and representatives from international organizations, central banks, governments, universities, and the global business community.

The main theme of the Congress is “Contrasting World Visions: Globalism v Nationalism, Multilateralism v Bilateralism, and Democracy v Autocracy”.

The program will address pressing issues in the contemporary global economy, ranging from geopolitical shifts, international trade, and industrial policy to inflation, monetary stability, Artificial Intelligence (AI), labor markets, and the future of the global economic order.

“This is the first time the Congress is being held in Serbia, and the first time in the Southeast European region,” Vlahovic told a press conference.

He noted that the five-day event will feature more than 200 panel discussions and 10 plenary sessions, with over 600 academic papers expected to be presented.

The official opening is scheduled for Monday, June 22, where Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is expected to deliver a keynote address.

“The Congress represents a major opportunity for our country and its economic sector. I believe this event will establish Belgrade and Serbia as a hub for dialogue,” Vlahovic said.