The Pacific Trade and Development (PAFTAD) Conference Series

The Pacific Trade and Development (PAFTAD) Conference series is an informal private academic conference series that, since its origins in 1968, has developed into a driving force behind the development of thought on Pacific trade and development issues and important economic policy questions facing the region.

The ideas and discussions generated by PAFTAD have helped drive and shape other Pacific economic cooperation organisations, including Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference.

Each PAFTAD conference is organised around a particular theme, and research papers addressing the topic are presented and discussed. The results are published in the PAFTAD volume series.

The 35th PAFTAD Conference was hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada on the topic of Human Capital and Economic Growth in Asia and the Pacific. The conference brought together 50 leading thinkers from around the world to discussed papers relevant to the theme; the papers will be published in to a book in 2013.

The 36th PAFTAD Conference will be co-hosted with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research in Hong Kong, from 19-21 November 2013 on the theme Financial Development and Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific.