About the Conference

The South Asian Economics, Trade & Development Conference, 2026 is a flagship international academic–policy forum under the South Asian Academic Summit, 2026, organised by the Centre for Development of Intellectual Property and Research (CDIPR), Naovina Development of Intellectual Property and Research Foundation, in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Powered by the Community for Academic Research and Development Foundation, the Conference seeks to foster meaningful dialogue on economic transformation, regional trade cooperation, sustainable industrialisation, and inclusive prosperity across South Asia and the wider Global South. The Conference is conceived as a high-impact interdisciplinary platform that bridges academia, policymaking, international trade practice, and development governance. At a time when developing economies face increasing pressures from global market disruptions, geopolitical shifts, climate vulnerability, digital transitions, and socio-economic inequalities, the need for collaborative frameworks for trade-led and inclusive development has become more urgent than ever. South Asia represents one of the world’s fastest-growing yet most economically unequal regions, with immense opportunities in industrial development, regional connectivity, trade facilitation, digital commerce, infrastructure, and human capital development. Despite enormous economic potential, regional trade integration in South Asia remains significantly underdeveloped. Structural barriers, fragmented policies, infrastructure deficits, regulatory bottlenecks, trade imbalances, and institutional constraints continue to impede sustainable prosperity. Against this backdrop, the Conference aims to critically examine the evolving relationship between economics, trade, industrial development, public policy, innovation, and sustainable prosperity. The Conference will facilitate scholarly and policy-oriented discussions on how economic systems, regional cooperation mechanisms, industrial strategies, and trade partnerships can be leveraged to promote equitable growth and social well-being.