As global trade policies navigate geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainty, evidence-based data is vital for building resilient food systems. CGIAR Policy Innovations is participating in the 29th Annual Conference on Global Economic Analysis in Kyoto, Japan on June 17 -19, 2026.

The Annual Conference this year brings together economists to address the theme, "Confronting Developmental and Environmental Challenges in Asia and the New Trade Landscape." The program features two distinct tracks: organized sessions curated by GTAP Network members to highlight targeted policy research, and peer-reviewed contributed paper sessions showcasing diverse, network-driven insights. Together, these sessions explore how modern trade dynamics intersect with urgent development and environmental priorities.

June 17, 2026

Rethinking Land Use and Rural Livelihoods in Ethiopia’s Agroecological Zones − Emerta Aragie, International Food Policy Research Institute | 10:38 -10:53am

This presentation will showcase a study that evaluates the individual and combined impacts of three key interventions aimed at revitalizing Ethiopian economy: (i) shifting from traditional grain cultivation to tree crops and semi-intensive livestock farming in the degraded, drought-prone highlands; (ii) expanding commercial grain production in the moisture-reliable lowlands; and (iii) partially reallocating rural labor from agriculture to non-farm activities. Doing so, the analysis examines a range of economic, social, and environmental outcomes. 

Key Agricultural Supply Risks for Global Poverty and Undernourishment: A Systematic Risk Profiling Approach − Askar Mukashov, International Food Policy Research Institute | 11:03 -11:18am

This presentation introduces a novel framework that models the full probabilistic space of global agricultural production shocks. By linking a CGE model to poverty and undernourishment microsimulations, and using machine learning for risk attribution, the research translates macroeconomic shocks into human impacts.

The Economywide Impacts of School Meals: Simulation Results for Ghana and Malawi − Karl Pauw, International Food Policy Research Institute |4:18 - 4:33pm

While the nutritional and educational benefits of school meals are well documented, less is known about their broader economic effects. The presentation will demonstrate the impacts on farmers, workers, beneficiary households, and, over the long term, labor productivity through improved human capital. Results show that school meal programs in Ghana and Malawi represent economically viable long-term investments in human capital and inclusive economic development.

June 18, 2026

RIAPA-AI - Using GenAI/LLMs to Democratize CGE Analysis - James Thurlow & Askar Mukashov, International Food Policy Research Institute | 1:00 - 2:30pm

An interactive drop-in lunch session showcasing IFPRI's new CGE modeling AI agent, demonstrating how RIAPA-AI can remove the key barriers to using IFPRI's suite of country economywide models. Users across all skill levels can design simulations, run models in the cloud, and receive AI-generated results and explanations.