Many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries are classified as fragile states. In these states more than 350 million people live in extreme poverty and more than four million children die each year before reaching the age of five. Such outcomes will persist unless the vulnerability of fragile states to adverse shocks is reduced, and their capacity to absorb external funds and to mobilize internal resources for sustained poverty reduction and improved economic security are increased. Yet it is not only countries that are vulnerable. Within countries there are often large groups of people that are vulnerable to a range of events and lack the assets or other means to cope with the impact of adverse shocks. This conference will bring together researchers and practitioners to discuss different concepts and measures of fragility and vulnerability, to analyze causes and consequences of vulnerability, to consider appropriate policy options, and to identify future research directions.

Additional information
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