Villa College Hosts Major Global Economic Conference – A First for the Maldives

Villa College is currently hosting the 31st International Input-Output Association (IIOA) Conference, a globally significant event in the field of economic analysis. Officially opened on 8 July, this marks the largest international academic conference ever held in the Maldives in collaboration with a major global organisation.

Although the broader programme began on 6 July with pre-conference sessions, the leading conference, which runs from 8 to 11 July, brings together 196 participants from 38 countries, including 88 university students. Over 150 academic research papers will be presented, covering a diverse range of topics in Input-Output (I-O) analysis, a methodology used to understand the complex interconnections within economic systems.

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The official opening ceremony took place yesterday at Villa College, where Ahmed Munawwar, Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), delivered the keynote address as Chief Guest. In his speech, Governor Munawwar emphasised the crucial role of economic research in shaping sustainable futures for small island developing states, such as the Maldives.

Three internationally renowned economists are delivering keynote addresses during the conference:

• Professor Robert Koopman – American University
  
• Professor Jing Meng – University College London
  
• Dr Mahinthan Joseph Mariasingham – Principal Statistician, Asian Development Bank
  

Their speeches address global geo-economic shifts, the role of the Global South in supply chains, and the challenges of economic interdependence in an increasingly fragmented world.

In his keynote, Professor Koopman explained how Input-Output analysis has transformed from a basic business accounting tool into a powerful lens for examining geopolitical vulnerabilities and structural weaknesses in today’s economies. He warned that technologies such as artificial intelligence, while disruptive, are often “invisible” in conventional data, making it harder to capture their full impact. He called on the academic community to develop new models and indicators that reflect today’s economic complexity and evolving risks.

As part of the wider event, the 13th International School of Input-Output Analysis (ISIOA) took place on 7 July, targeting young and early-career researchers. The school attracted 115 participants and provided intensive training, accompanied by mentorship from senior scholars in the field. Complementary sessions, including the Young Researchers’ Night and Flash Presentations, offer further opportunities for young academics to present their work.

A notable highlight of the conference is the Leontief Memorial Prize, awarded to the best paper submitted by a researcher under the age of 40. In addition to a €1,000 cash prize, the winner will have their work published in Economic Systems Research, the IIOA’s flagship academic journal.