The past year was full of significant events, revealing or carrying deep changes in the world economy. The ongoing stagnation of growth and investment in rich countries raises questions about the new growth regime, the redefinition of monetary policy and ensuing consequences for financial stability and the international monetary system. In emerging countries, especially in China, the slowdown raises concerns about the ability to handle delicate transition processes. In Europe, the settlement of the Greek public debt crisis leaves many questions opened regarding the functioning of the Eurozone and its possible evolution. At the same time the refugee crisis changed deeply the stakes of migration issues, forcing Europeans to look differently at their policies, regarding integration as well as European or international co-ordination. World trade confirmed its slowdown, questioning the way global value chains may be evolving, in a world marked by the strong interweaving of economies and the central role of multinational firms. The Transpacific Partnership agreement potentially opens a new era in trade policies, while Europe is already involved, with the Transatlantic Partnership, in a negotiation of prominent importance. Finally, the Paris Agreement on climate change potentially pioneers a new era of concerted action in that matter, the urgency of which grows increasingly clear.

These transforming events are more than cyclical. In order to shed light on their consequences, it is more than ever necessary to gather relevant and detailed information and to offer useful analysis. CEPII’s team worked hard in 2015 in order to do so. CEPII’s statistical databases have been updated, improved and expanded, covering now language practices, trade types and non-tariff barriers. Their audience, already large, increased once again compared to 2014. To meet the needs for structured and easy-to-use information, CEPII launched its country-profiles, offering a detailed and didactic characterization of international insertion for 80 economies. CEPII studies are presented in many ways, including working papers, journal articles, op-eds, books, book chapters, the journal International Economics, La Lettre du CEPII, CEPII Policy Briefs, CEPII Panoramas. Summing up to about 400 publications in 2015, aimed at helping you to identify the trends and challenges of the global economy. CEPII’s Blog (105 posts) and seminars and conferences (21 organized or co-organized by CEPII, 29 by CEPII’s Club) offer a space for debating these questions and analyses. Judging from the traffic on our website, the number of downloads or citations, our audience is rapidly increasing. This can only encourage us to follow up in our efforts aimed at a better understanding of the world economy.

CEPII’s team joins me in wishing you a happy new year!