The Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) was established in 1956 as successor to the Institute of World Economy and Politics which existed from 1925 to 1948 and was headed by Academician E.S. Varga.

Since its inception, IMEMO has become one of the world's leading research institutes, a highly reputed center for fundamental and applied socio-economic, political and strategic research.

For many years, research carried out by IMEMO has served as a reliable basis for political decision-making. The Institute employs over 400 researchers including 3 members of Russian Academy of Sciences; 7 corresponding members; 79 Doctors of Science and 212 Candidates of Science (PhD).

The Institute of World Economy and International Relations conducts research on the following areas:

1. current global problems;
2. forecasting and analysis of world economy dynamics and socio-political developments;
3. economic theory;
4. theory of international relations;
5. theory of social and political processes;
6. international politics;
7. economic and socio-political developments in the USA, Japan, European and the Third World countries;
8. military and strategic problems;
9. economic, social and political problems of the transition period in Russia.