The 21st World Congress of Economists concluded in Belgrade after bringing together more than 1,000 participants from across the globe for what organizers described as the largest international economics conference ever held in Serbia. Hosted by the Serbian Association of Economists under the auspices of the International Economic Association, the event marked the first time in nearly two decades that the congress was held in Europe and the first ever in Southeast Europe.
According to Serbian Association of Economists President Aleksandar Vlahović, the congress featured more than 600 academic papers, including 30 from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics and Business and regional institutions. Participants also heard lectures from Nobel Prize winners Jean Tirole, Esther Duflo and Eric Maskin, alongside leading scholars from universities including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT and the London School of Economics.
In addition to the academic programme, the congress featured the launch of its official publication, prepared by AIM, the publishing house behind The Region magazine. The special edition was presented during the event, complementing discussions among leading economists and international experts.
Discussions focused on the congress theme, “Conflicting Visions of the World,” examining issues such as geopolitical tensions, global trade, artificial intelligence, climate change and the future of globalization. Organizers said the event further strengthened Serbia’s international academic profile and laid the groundwork for expanded cooperation with leading economists and research institutions worldwide.
