Venue: Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC)
Dates: July 1–4, 2025 (Pre-Conference: July 1)
Expected Delegates: 1,000+ international participants
Official Website: ICPP7 – IPPA Conference Page
Chiang Mai Welcomes the Global Public Policy Community
Public policy shapes how we live, learn, and govern but rarely does it meet in a place like this. In July 2025, Chiang Mai will host the 7th International Conference on Public Policy (ICPP7), one of the most influential gatherings of scholars, policymakers, and analysts in the world.
With more than 1,000 delegates from dozens of countries, this four-day event will turn Northern Thailand into a dynamic laboratory of ideas and exchange.
This isn’t just a conference—it’s a dialogue between regions, ideologies, and disciplines, hosted in a city known for both tradition and transformation.
Why This Conference Matters in Chiang Mai
For those who live and work in Chiang Mai, it’s often easy to think of this place as relaxed, beautiful, and culturally rich. But Chiang Mai is also strategic, connected, and rising! Especially in the realm of education and international cooperation. Hosting ICPP7 signals the city’s ability to handle not only high-volume events, but also high-stakes ideas.
The collaboration between the International Public Policy Association (IPPA) and Chiang Mai University’s School of Public Policy reflects a growing confidence in Chiang Mai’s ability to host world-class academic forums.
The city’s intellectual landscape, enriched by institutions like the Language Institute of CMU and global partnerships with universities such as Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, is becoming a serious contender in Asia’s policy and research ecosystem.
About ICPP7: Four Days of Deep Policy Dialogue
Organized by the IPPA, ICPP7 will take place from July 2–4, with pre-conference workshops on July 1. These workshops are specifically tailored to early-career scholars, doctoral researchers, and academics exploring new methodologies or frameworks in public policy studies.
Core Highlights:
- Three major plenary sessions with global thought leaders in governance, ethics, climate policy, and political economy
- Multi-track sessions spanning health systems, education policy, migration, innovation, environmental regulation, and digital governance
- Methodology labs and career-focused workshops
- Cultural immersion activities, including a gala dinner featuring Northern Thai cuisine and performance traditions
The goal is clear: create a space that goes beyond academic theory and facilitates real, practical collaboration across nations and institutions.
The Venue: CMECC – A Symbol of Modern Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre (CMECC) provides one of Southeast Asia’s most expansive and elegant backdrops for large-scale intellectual events. Nestled at the foot of Doi Suthep, CMECC balances function with cultural form—its architectural details echo the elegance of Lanna design, while its 60,000-square-meter space offers the flexibility required by an event of ICPP7’s size.
This is more than a meeting hall – it’s a bridge between tradition and modernity, echoing the core themes of the conference itself.
Who Will Be There?
ICPP7 draws a wide spectrum of attendees:
- Professors and researchers in public administration, sociology, political science, economics, and law
- Policymakers and advisors from national governments and regional organizations
- Practitioners working in global development, health policy, education reform, and sustainability
- Students and early-career researchers participating in the pre-conference programs
Affiliated institutions include:
- Chiang Mai University School of Public Policy
- Language Institute CMU
- Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
- NORRAG (Network for International Policies and Cooperation in Education and Training)
- Juti “The Just Tran” Policy Project
- Meetings & Conventions Asia
About Chiang Mai University School of Public Policy
Chiang Mai University’s School of Public Policy is Thailand’s first public policy school, offering international MA and PhD programs along with specialized training for future policy leaders. In collaboration with Northern Illinois University, it provides 1-year and double degree MA tracks, as well as flexible PhD options.
The school focuses on modern, multi-dimensional approaches to policy—technical, critical, interpretive, and deliberative—preparing scholars and professionals to design inclusive, forward-thinking solutions in today’s complex policy environment.
Learn more here.
Chiang Mai’s Position in Global Discourse
ICPP7 places Chiang Mai in the orbit of cities that don’t just host global events, but help shape global conversations. From education access in Southeast Asia to digital rights in Asia-Pacific and sustainability frameworks in developing economies, the issues tackled at this conference echo far beyond the walls of CMECC.
At the same time, the presence of over a thousand international delegates generates a tangible local impact on hotels, transport, restaurants, and Chiang Mai’s own academic institutions.
These events aren’t only good for thought – they’re good for business.
Registration and Participation
For registration details, program updates, keynote announcements, and accommodation guidance, visit the official ICPP7 site: ICPP7 – IPPA Conference Page
Stay tuned to Chiang Mai Business Network for coverage of the Chiang Mai MICE ecosystem.
