Background

In his influential book Can Nations Agree? economic historian Barry Eichengreen examined the political and institutional foundations of international cooperation, tracing how nations have—at moments of crisis—negotiated, compromised, and built enduring frameworks for shared stability and growth. Today, that question resonates with renewed urgency.

The international governance system is undergoing a far-reaching and systemic transition. Longstanding challenges—such as high public debt, the energy transition, the climate crisis, demographic aging, and trade tensions—are evolving in new and complex ways. Meanwhile, breakthrough advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence are driving new waves of productivity, while raising difficult questions of equity, regulation, and security. At the same time, these developments generate significant uncertainty about current and future economic dynamics, posing serious challenges for both economic agents and policymakers.

These forces are reshaping the global economy and financial architecture. Many central banks and policy institutions have already initiated comprehensive reviews of their policy frameworks to account for these developments and strengthen their resilience in a shock-prone world. Yet many of these challenges call for collective action to build a mutually resilient foundation for shared stability and long-term growth. And just as collective action is most needed, divisions—geopolitical, economic, and technological—threaten to erode cooperation. Against this backdrop, the central question first posed by Professor Eichengreen remains: Can nations agree?

Key Themes and Objectives

The conference will bring together central bankers, policymakers, academics, and international practitioners/experts.

The two-day program will feature:

• Plenary sessions with high-level perspectives on systemic global challenges.
• Thematic panels on monetary and fiscal policy, global finance, trade, and technology.
• Interactive dialogues designed to generate consensus and foster practical partnerships.