to “KL 2020”, the 28th International Input-Output Association (IIOA) Conference, and 10th edition of the International School of Input-Output Analysis.

KL 2020 is the first IIOA conference held in Malaysia and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. Initially, the conference is supposed to be held on 5th-10th July 2020 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. However, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 around the world in 2020 had impacted the organization of KL 2020. The rapid spread of the virus has led many countries including Malaysia to implement non-pharmaceutical containment measures such as lockdowns and international border closing. As a result, the IIOA Council and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) had made a wise and appropriate decision to postpone the KL 2020 conference edition to 2021.

The uncertainties of the risk brought by the COVID-19, and the extent to which the spread and mutation of this virus are high. The IIOA Council and LOC monitored closely the situation in Malaysia and other countries. Early 2021 we had made another difficult decision to postpone the conference for the second time into 2022.

As we move into the endemic phase, the year 2022 seems promising especially to the LOC to organize the KL 2020. The downward trends in daily cases recorded in most of the affected countries, as well as, the encouraging vaccination rate of the world population, offers opportunities for us to reactivate the works towards the KL 2020.

Previously, the proposed conference theme was to highlight the economic growth and social pillars by empowering the local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Taking into consideration the current world economic condition, the LOC comes out with a new conference theme –Recoveries and Reforms for Sustainable Economies in the Post COVID-19 Pandemic.

The unprecedented COVID-19 disruptions in the global supply chain, mobility, tourism, and labor market have created a deep global economic recession. Economic recoveries and reform are deemed the most important criterion not only in helping the country emerge from the global pandemic but also in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that all countries have committed to achieving by 2030. Thus, KL 2020 conference edition may offer the relevant applications of input-output analysis for economic recoveries and reforms towards sustainable development.

We are aware of a pandemic situation that still shows high uncertainties. We hope that this conference can be held physically as has been the tradition before. If the situation does not permit, a fully online mode will be implemented.

Looking forward to seeing you in August 2022!