13th IFC Biennial Conference

Call for Contributions: 13th IFC Biennial Conference 20-21 August 2026

The theme of the IFC 2026 Biennial Conference, to be held at the BIS in Basel, Switzerland on 20–21 August 2026, is “Filling information gaps in central banking: effectively leveraging data 
and innovative tools”.
Central banks are increasingly drawing on a wide range of data (including micro level 
records) and deploying innovative techniques (such as machine learning and generative AI) to
address persistent and emerging information gaps. These efforts aim not only to enhance statistical 
production and data dissemination, but also to better support their various policy and analytical 
functions with more timely and granular insights.

Tackling critical information gaps, particularly from a medium- to long-term perspective, is essential in supporting central banks’ public mandates, notably in the areas of monetary policy, financial stability and broader economic surveillance. Recent advances in international statistical standards, such as the 2025 System of National Accounts and revised integrated Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM7), underscore this imperative, extending methodological guidance to new and rapidly evolving phenomena, including crypto assets and financial innovation. In parallel, the G20 Data Gaps Initiative provides another example of international cooperative efforts to satisfy information needs effectively. Its third phase places particular emphasis on improving data related to climate change, income and wealth distribution, financial innovation and inclusion, while also promoting appropriate access to and sharing of data at the global level.

Against this backdrop, the conference programme will offer a unique platform to discuss these various topics in an integrated and comprehensive manner – from exploring new data sources and types to developing smarter ways of pooling insights from existing data to produce 
policy-relevant information in central banking.

Contributions are invited that explore the conceptual, empirical and institutional aspects related to the above issues. They will be published in a special issue of the IFC Bulletins.