World Bank Group

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and IE University have announced the World Bank Group – IE University Conference 2026, scheduled for May 7–8, 2026. This high-level event will focus on production networks and their impact on economic growth, resilience, and job creation within connected global economies. For the events and conferences sector, this gathering represents a significant intersection of academic research and private sector development, highlighting the ongoing demand for specialized forums that bridge policy and practice in emerging markets.

The conference, titled "Growth and Resilience in Connected Economies," is set to take place over two days, starting Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 9:00 am CEST. Organized by the World Bank Group in collaboration with IE University, the event aims to showcase cutting-edge academic research at the intersection of trade, development, industrial organization, and macroeconomics. The program will specifically address production networks—the complex web of buyer-supplier linkages that connect firms across borders—and how these structures influence innovation, productivity gains, and the diffusion of ideas.

Central to the conference's agenda is the exploration of how production networks determine economic adjustment to shocks and the propagation of vulnerabilities. This focus is particularly critical for low- and middle-income economies (LMICs), where strengthening domestic linkages and integrating local firms into regional and global value chains are primary development goals. By providing a forum for frontier research, the event seeks to identify how these networks can be leveraged to translate productivity into sustainable exports and job creation.

The gathering will bring together a diverse cohort of leading scholars, rising researchers, policymakers, and private sector leaders. This collaborative environment is designed to bridge rigorous academic research with practical operational and policy perspectives. The ultimate goal is to inform actionable strategies for mobilizing private investment, aligning with the World Bank Group’s broader knowledge strategy to create more and better employment opportunities globally.

As the largest global development institution focused on the private sector, the IFC brings its extensive history of innovation and global mandate to this event. Owned by 186 member countries, the IFC operates in over 100 countries and uses its AAA/Aaa rating to provide debt and equity to the private sector. This conference serves as a key platform for the IFC to share expertise and apply lessons learned across different regions to solve complex problems in the world’s most challenging markets.