Bodh Gaya: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya, in collaboration with Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, inaugurated the second edition of the Contemporary Issues in Emerging Market Conference (CIEMC 2.0), bringing together policymakers, academicians and global experts to deliberate on the role of emerging economies.
Organised under the theme “Reimagining Emerging Market Economies: Growth with Stability and Sustainability”, the conference drew over 470 paper submissions. Following a review process, 342 papers were selected, with 307 authors presenting across 44 parallel sessions. Participants represented more than 25 Indian states, alongside international contributors from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Russia, Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Focus On Emerging Economies
Delivering the inaugural address, Suman K. Bery, Vice-Chairperson of NITI Aayog, said economies once described as the “third world” are now recognised as emerging markets playing a significant role in global trade and growth.
“These economies are increasingly contributing to global demand, production and value chains,” he said, adding that India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ would be driven by youth, innovation and enterprise.
Bery also noted that collaborations between institutions such as IIM Bodh Gaya and RUDN University help strengthen global academic engagement.
Policy And Growth Perspectives
Manoj Kumar Singh, CEO of the State Transformation Commission, Government of Uttar Pradesh, highlighted India’s demographic advantage and strong agricultural and services sectors as key growth drivers.
He said the next phase of growth would depend on leveraging artificial intelligence, strengthening institutions and adopting data-driven governance, as emerging economies move towards consumption-led growth models.
On the second day, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India, V. Anantha Nageswaran, emphasised the need to simplify regulatory frameworks, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Regulation often impacts MSMEs more than large firms. Simplifying these frameworks must remain a key policy priority,” he said, adding that domestic reforms could be pursued independently of global conditions to support long-term economic progress.
Discussions On Global Uncertainty
A panel discussion on “Navigating Geopolitical Uncertainties in Emerging Markets” examined how economies can respond to global disruptions. The session featured Abhishek Anand of Insignia Policy Research and Himanshu Joshi of Atal Innovation Mission, moderated by columnist Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
The discussion explored strategies for resilience, drawing on perspectives of balance and adaptability in policymaking.
Academic And Global Insights
International speakers also addressed key economic themes. Bruno S. Sergi of the University of Messina spoke on the green economy, cautioning against greenwashing and stressing transparency. Marina Khramova of RUDN University highlighted the implications of demographic shifts and ageing populations on labour markets and growth.
Rashmi Singh, Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, addressed issues of gender equality and the importance of policy focus on women’s development.
Platform For Policy And Research
The conference began with a welcome address by Vinita S. Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, who outlined the institute’s focus on developing responsible and mindful business leaders.
CIEMC 2.0 concluded with discussions reinforcing the growing significance of emerging economies in shaping global economic dynamics. Organisers said the conference continues to serve as a platform connecting academic research, policy discourse and international collaboration on sustainable and inclusive growth.
