2025 Annual Glitss Conference “The Causes of Illicit Trade” – Milan, Italy

The third GLITSS Annual Conference was successfully held on June 4th, 2025, at the University of Milano Bicocca in Milan. Hosted by the Department of Sociology and Social Research, the conference brought together international scholars, experts, and policymakers to explore the underlying causes of illicit trade and its far-reaching effects on global security, sustainability, and governance.

Opening remarks from institutional leaders set the tone for a day of thoughtful discussion and interdisciplinary exchange. A compelling keynote address challenged participants to rethink current understandings of illicit markets and to consider new avenues for both research and policy action. Panel sessions throughout the day focused on a variety of topics, including the legal, social, and economic dimensions of illicit trade. Speakers addressed the complexity of illicit networks and highlighted how such activities intersect with issues of migration, counterfeiting, and institutional trust. The conference featured two main panel sessions. The first explored the consequences of illicit trade for safety, security, and sustainability, highlighting how illegal markets undermine institutional trust, threaten public health, and contribute to global insecurity. The second panel focused on the structural causes and enabling conditions of illicit trade, examining the role of legal loopholes, weak enforcement, and socio-economic disparities in facilitating the growth of shadow economies. Both sessions generated lively discussion and offered diverse perspectives from ongoing academic research and field-based insights. The conference fostered valuable dialogue between academics and practitioners, creating a space for collaboration across disciplines and sectors. Both in-person and online attendees contributed to dynamic discussions that underscored the importance of evidence-based approaches to tackling illicit economies.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our host, the Department of Sociology and Social Research at the University of Milano-Bicocca, for their generous support and hospitality. We also warmly thank all participants, panelists, and contributors whose insights, engagement, and behind-the-scenes efforts helped shape a rich and successful event. Your commitment and collaboration were essential to the organization and impact of the 2025 GLITSS Annual Conference. We look forward to continuing this important conversation within the GLITSS network and beyond.