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Eurasian Food Economy between Globalization and Geopolitics

+++ The IAMO Forum 2017 was full of engaging speakers and lively discussion. Presentations and photos from the conference are now available online. We thank all participants for contributing to the success of the IAMO Forum 2017. +++

IAMO Forum 2017
21 - 23 June 2017 | Halle (Saale), Germany

Globalization makes it imperative for Eurasian transition countries to create open and internationally competitive food economies. At the same time a number of governments are strengthening their control of domestic food chains in order to support their agro-food sector or to improve food security. The rising regulation potentially jeopardizes the development of a vibrant agro-food sector. In parts of the Former Soviet Union geopolitical conflicts and macroeconomic downturns pose further risks for trade expansion and sustained globalization.

Within the Eurasian region, globalization has many faces. Similar to the European Union and the USA, China and the Russian Federation are trying to modify their globalization strategies. Kyrgyzstan as the most open Central Asian economy struggles to continue its free trade policy after joining the Eurasian Economic Union. Turkmenistan, a rather closed economy, is seeking integration into world markets while strengthening the protection of domestic producers. Competing regional integration schemes like the Russian ‘Eurasian Economic Union’, the Chinese ‘Silk Road Initiative’, or the EUs ‘Eastern Partnership (DCFTAs)’ pursue differing geopolitical visions.

Against this backdrop the future of the globalizing food economy in the Eurasian region is difficult to predict. The question at stake is which strategy will yield greatest benefits from a deeper participation in the global food economy. IAMO Forum 2017 aims to provide a platform to discuss ongoing research and different strategies to ensure food security and intensify trade in the context of geopolitical tensions and divergent trade integration efforts.  We welcome papers that analyze the impact of globalization and different crises on food chain actors, national and international markets, trade flows, food security, and policy in transition economies. For more information, see the call for submissions page.

The conference contributions may utilize a variety of methodological approaches and come from different academic disciplines, including economics, sociology, geography, and political sciences. We appreciate research contributions with a focus on transition countries from Europe, Former Soviet Union, Far East, and Middle East.

IAMO Forum 2017 is organized by IAMO with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in partnership with the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (OA).