The goal of the conference is to promote the exchange of ideas among economists conducting quantitative analysis of global economic issues. Particular emphasis will be placed on applied general equilibrium methods, data, and application. Related theoretical and applied work is also welcome.

A global network of individuals and institutions conducting economy-wide analysis of trade, resource, and environmental policy issues has emerged. Thousands of these researchers now use a common data base, supplied by the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP). The project is coordinated by the Center for Global Trade Analysis at Purdue University with the support of a consortium of national and international agencies. The GTAP Data Base is a key input into most of the contemporary applied general equilibrium (AGE) analysis of global economic issues. Participants are given the opportunity to present their work, interact with other professionals in the field, and learn about the most recent developments in global economic analysis.

The themes of the 15th Annual Conference are:

• Measurement and impact analysis of non-tariff measures and trade facilitation
• Trade, environment, natural resources and sustainable development
• Poverty, inequality and development towards the millennium development goals
• Analysis of multilateral and bilateral trade agreements in a globalizing world