Business programme

The developments of the early 2020s including the pandemic and the military-political crisis in Europe have changed the world dramatically. The liberal-style globalization, which had been developing since the 1980s, is giving its way to another form of mutual relations, much more complex than the scheme that has existed so far. On the one hand, the universal system of common norms and rules is no longer working. States are emphasizing their own national interests, protectionist sentiments are growing, while the institutions of global governance are losing their effectiveness. On the other hand, the world is not falling apart, its interconnection is strengthening, although its forms are changing. The developments of 2020-2023 force a change in logistics and transport chains, and new configurations of partnerships are emerging with political and regional factors now playing a more significant role than before. Meanwhile, the manifestations of fierce competition – up to acts of outright economic warfare – reduce the overall transparency of the global economy, since many states are forced to conceal their trade and investment activities. Virtually all markets, from raw materials and consumer products to technology and culture, are experiencing a radical restructuring. The new economic system is still unified and interconnected, yet not global in the old sense. How will it be built? What are its opportunities and risks?

Welcome Remark
Andrey Bystritskiy, Сhairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

Andrey Bystritskiy

Сhairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

In 1985-1991, Andrey Bystritskiy was engaged in research as a Senior Fellow at the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences. He has been in the media industry since 1991, starting as the Head of the Audience Research Department of the All-Russia State Television and Radio Company (RTR), author and host of radio and television broadcasts. In 1993-1996, Andrey Bystritskiy headed sociological research at the Company. From 1996 to 1997, he was in charge of the "Society" Department at the Itogi (Russian Newsweek) magazine. In 1997-1998, Andrey Bystritskiy was Deputy Director General for Information at TV Tsentr. Between 1998 and 1999, he was the Producer of the Russian news service on BBC. In 1999, he joined the Organizing Committee of the Unofficial Moscow Festival as one of its Co-Chairs, he was also a member of the Editorial Board of the Moscow Alternative newspaper and Chairman of the Mayak State Radio Broadcasting Company (main information radio in Russia). In 2000, Bystritskiy became the Director General of the Vesti State Television Company (an entity of RTR). From 2000 to 2008, he was Deputy Director General of RTR and the Director of the Department of Information Programmes of the Russia TV. In 2000-2013 Bystritskiy was a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President of international broadcasting company Euronews. Between 2005 and 2007, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Apologia monthly magazine. From 2008 to 2014, he was the Chairman of the Voice of Russia State Radio Company (Russian international broadcaster in 44 languages). Andrey Bystritskiy has been at the National Research University – Higher School of Economics since 2001, as a Dean of the Faculty of Communications, Media and Design since 2014. Since 2008, he has been the head of the Council of the Heads of Government and Public Television and Radio Organizations of CIS Countries. Since 2014, Bystritskiy has been the Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club and the Chairman of the Public Supervisory Council of the Russian Ministry of Communications. Andrey Bystritskiy is a Professor and PhD (Pedagogics, 1989). He is a member of the Union of Writers. In June 2007, he received the Order of Honour. Andrey Bystritskiy is the author of books, including such works as Youth Subcultures and Russia's Intelligentsia During the Demise of the Soviet System (1991), and numerous publications in newspapers and magazines.

Moderator
Fyodor Lukyanov, Academic Director, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

Fyodor Lukyanov

Academic Director, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club

Fyodor Lukyanov was an international journalist in 1990-2002.
He collaborated with numerous newspapers, radio and television broadcasters.
Since 2002, he has been the Editor-in-Chief of the Russia in Global Affairs journal.
In 2012, Lukyanov was appointed as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy – one of the oldest Russian NGOs.
Since 2015, Fyodor Lukyanov has been the Research Director of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club.
Fyodor Lukyanov is a Research Professor at the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, National Research University – Higher School of Economics.
He is considered one of the most well-known Russian experts in the field of international relations and foreign affairs, author of numerous articles in Russian and foreign media.
Lukyanov received the Government Award of the Russian Federation in 2011 for his contribution to international journalism.

Panellists
Andrey Belousov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
Arvind Gupta, Head, Co-Founder, Digital India Foundation
Benedict Weerasena Samarasena, Research Director, Bait Al Amanah Analytical Center
Gong Jiong, Professor, Vice-President for Research and Strategic Studies, University of International Business and Economics (UIBE)

Andrey Belousov

First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation

Born March 17, 1959.

Education:
1981: Graduated with honours from the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Department of Economics.
DSc (Economics).

Experience:
1981-1986: Intern researcher, junior researcher at the Central Economic Mathematical Institute at the USSR Academy of Sciences, man-machine system modelling laboratory.
1986-2006: Junior researcher, researcher, senior researcher, laboratory head at the Institute of Economics and Scientific and Technical Progress Forecasts at the USSR Academy of Sciences (later Institute of National Economy Prognostication at the Russian Academy of Sciences).
2000-2006: General director, Centre for Macroeconomic Analyses and Short-Term Prognostication.
2000-2006: External adviser to the Prime Minister.
2006-2008: Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Deputy Minister of Economic Development.
2008-May 2012: Director, Government Department of Economy and Finance.
May 21, 2012: Appointed Minister of Economic Development by Presidential Executive Order.
From 24 June 2013, Presidential Aide, appointed by executive order of the President of Russia.

Arvind Gupta

Head, Co-Founder, Digital India Foundation

Benedict Weerasena Samarasena

Research Director, Bait Al Amanah Analytical Center

Gong Jiong

Professor, Vice-President for Research and Strategic Studies, University of International Business and Economics (UIBE)