Full-scale collaboration with ASEAN member states is one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities. This year marks two important anniversaries in the history of cooperation between Russia and ASEAN – 30 years of relations, and 25 years of full-scale dialogue-based partnership. And 2022 is set to be declared the Russia–ASEAN Year of Cooperation in Science and Technology. This initiative by the Russia–ASEAN Business Council will shine the spotlight on science, technology and innovation – areas of keen mutual interest. The sustainable exploitation of natural resources, an unmatched business environment in the Far East, and substantial experience of working successfully with international partners are all factors which offer great prospects for joint ventures. Areas of potential cooperation include energy, agriculture, timber, tourism, the Northern Sea Route, and investment- and tech-related collaboration via the Russky Centre of Scientific and Technological Innovation in Primorye Territory. Continued promotion of the Greater Eurasian Partnership is another key area. Through strengthening regional relations, the initiative will facilitate cooperation in trade, economics, and investment between nations of the EAEU, ASEAN and the SCO, and help the populations of member states to enjoy greater prosperity. What has been achieved over the long period of cooperation in trade, economics, and investment between Russia and ASEAN? What problems and barriers are hindering deeper economic cooperation between Russia and ASEAN’s 10 member states? What are the prospects for cooperation in science and technology? What can be done to boost non-commodity trade between regions of the Far Eastern Federal District and ASEAN member states? To what degree does the Greater Eurasian Partnership dovetail with ongoing dialogue between Russia and ASEAN, and what opportunities might this initiative offer to business?

Moderator:
Ivan Polyakov — Chairman, Russia–ASEAN Business Council

Panellists:
Musa Adnin — Managing Director, Adinin Group of Companies (online)
Quoc Viet Do — Member of the Management Board, Vietnam Businessmen's Association
Sergey Katyrin — President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
Armi Lopez Garcia — Chairperson, Philippine-Russian Business Assembly Inc (online)
Elena Lysenkova — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Tourism (Rosturizm)
Sergey Machekhin — Deputy General Director Project Engineering and International Cooperation, RusHydro
U Zaw Min Win — President, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (online)
Winnie Teo — General Director, Progression Engineering (S) Pte Ltd (online)

Video address:
Nguyen Hong Dien — Minister of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

The changes to the global economy and geopolitics brought about by the first year of the pandemic have had significant implications for development in the Far East and Arctic region, as well as global economic integration with the region – most importantly is the sharp increase in constraints on globalization. International cooperation, trade and investment are now being conducted under different political and economic conditions from when Russia began its turn towards Asia. These changes have had both positive and negative impacts in terms of implementing Russia’s stated policy goals for the region. The scale of continental trade and integration with Eurasia is increasing and digitalization is experiencing a real boom, while on the other hand new non-tariff barriers are being introduced and international mobility has decreased by an order of magnitude. A serious discussion about the practical issues affecting the region’s development is clearly impossible without taking global and regional factors into account. The key advantages of the Far East and Arctic at present are the high levels of integration into established global transport and logistics systems, an openness to the development of new green technologies and the unique investment climate fostered by the Russian government in recent years. The Far East and Arctic are open to prospective partners, and these regions are far from areas of international instability. The aim of the session is to identify the most important new external factors that need to be considered during the current stage of development of the Far East and Arctic region.

Moderator:
Timofei Bordachev — Academic Supervisor, Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics

Panellists:
Andrei Bystritskiy — Сhairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club
Glenn Diesen — Professor, University of Southeast Norway (online)
Kevin Michael Rudd — President, Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI); Prime Minister of Australia (2007–2010, 2013) (online)
Vyacheslav Ruksha — Deputy Director General – Director for the Northern Sea Route Directorate, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM
Atsushi Sunami — President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation (online)
Yury Trutnev — Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District (online)
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic (online)

Although new investment projects are under way and a range of traditional industries are undergoing development, there remains a lack of qualified personnel. This is a particularly pressing issue in the Far Eastern Federal District and Arctic. Russia is experiencing an acute shortage of workers in several industries, particularly in construction, resource extraction, and agriculture. It is therefore essential to build a cutting-edge training system which is focused on the needs of individual industries and prospective investment projects. Migrant workers should also be included in the scheme. The issue is that there is currently no adequate analysis and forecasting system in place for the labour market. Such a system would need to factor in all development initiatives, be they at an industry, regional, national, or other level. An effective forecasting and analysis system would provide an understanding of the kind of workers, qualifications and skills needed, both for major individual investment projects and entire industries. What are the steps to building an effective national labour market forecasting system? What needs to be done to make jobs more attractive to local workers? What measures need to be taken to build a personnel training system that is tailored to the needs of major investment projects and specific industries? What can be done to attract highly qualified migrant workers?

Moderator:
Andrey Sharonov — President, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO

Panellists:
Anton Kotyakov — Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
Lilia Ovcharova — Vice Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation
Robert Urazov — General Director, Professional Skills Development Agency (WorldSkills Russia)
Irina Yarovaya — Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Alexander Bugaev — First Deputy Minister of Enlightenment of the Russian Federation
Artem Levin — General Director, Management Company Kolmar
Dmitry Platygin — General Director, Federal State Budgetary Institution "All-Russian Research Institute of Labor" of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation

It is not just entrepreneurs who are interested in small business development in the Far East – the state shares this concern as well. Small and medium businesses are the lifeblood of the urban economy; they generate added value, bring in tax revenue and create jobs. Developing SMEs is a major step towards achieving many of the region’s socio-economic development goals. Analysing the situation in the Far East provides an insight into the unique and most pressing challenges faced by small businesses on a daily basis. Such challenges must be addressed to ensure economic development and foster entrepreneurial spirit in the region. What are the main problems when running a small business in the Far East and how do entrepreneurs see them being resolved? Given the uniqueness of running a small business in the Far East and the peculiarities of developing SMEs in the northern territories and the Arctic, what are some specific solutions to the problems outlined? What is the most effective way of stimulating SME development in cities, and where are the most promising markets located? Could access to the Asia-Pacific Region solve the problem of insufficient demand?

Moderator:
Alexander Kalinin — President, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Panellists:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic
Aleksandr Isayevich — Member of the Board of Directors, General Director - Chairman of the Management Board, Russian Small and Medium Business Corporation
Sergey Lelyukhin — Director General, Far East Auction Fish House
Maxim Parshin — Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation
Xue Xulou — Chairman, Heilongjiang Association of Foreign Investment Enterprises (online)
Konstantin Shestakov — Head of the City of Vladivostok

Front row participants:
Konstantin Basmanov — Head of Small and Medium Enterprises Unit, Promsvyazbank
Oleg Kostenko — Acting Minister of Investment, Industry and Enterprise of Kamchatskiy Krai
Sergey Mazunin — General Director, NTK Close Corporation
Marina Romanova — Chief Managing Director for SMEs and Procurements, VEB.RF
Aleksandr Timofeev — General Director, Far Eastern Peat Company

The advantages of the agricultural sector in the Far Eastern Federal District include the accessibility of a significant land bank and proximity to sales markets in East and Southeast Asia. Agro-industrial products are one of the most important commodities for the Far Eastern Federal District in terms of production and export. In 2020, the Far East accounted for 3.4% of all agro-industrial products manufactured in Russia. In order to achieve the goal of increasing export volumes to USD 45 billion by 2024, as well as reducing dependence on food imports across the Far Eastern Federal District, the agricultural land bank must remain active as efficiently as possible. How can new potential agricultural land be brought into circulation? How can export barriers be removed, allowing the industry to achieve the necessary export targets? What are the potential solutions to issues of transportation, storage and transshipment of agricultural products? What products are expected to see demand from domestic and foreign markets? What conditions need to be created in the Far East in order to attract investors and trading partners from the Asia-Pacific region? How can effective sales channels for Far Eastern products be created in Asia-Pacific markets?

Moderator:
Vadim Moshkovich — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rusagro

Panellists:
Choi Won Bo — Head of the Far East Representative Office, Lotte International (online)
Dmitriy Zhilyakov — Head of the Center for Strategic Analysis of Large Business, Russian Agricultural Bank
Nikita Zakharov — Director, Joint-Stock Company «National Mercantile Exchange»
Sergey Levin — Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation
Dmitry Savenkov — General Director, Legendagro Primomorye LLC
Alexander Sarapkin — General Director, Amuragrocenter
Ilya Strokin — Director of the Agribusiness Center of Excellence, KPMG in CIS
Oleg Turkov — Minister of Agriculture of the Amur Oblast
Denis Tsesarenko — Founder, Teros LLC; Founder, Sporos LLC

Front row participants:
Galsan Dareev — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Buryatia - Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Buryatia
Maxim Kobin — Vice President, Russian Export Center
Mikhail Maltsev — Executive Director, Fat-and-Oil Union of Russia
Valery Nagel — Beneficiary, Plemennoi Zavod Komsomolets
Vladimir Sitnov — Senior Vice President, Sberbank
Nikolay Kharitonov — Chairman of the Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

For the Russian Federation and the Far East in particular, hydrocarbons are a strategic resource for development and will remain so in the coming decades. Gas boasts hugely important competitive advantages as an energy resource: it is the cleanest fossil fuel, large and accessible gas reserves are available and, most importantly, the technologies for the extraction, transportation and storage of gas have already been developed. The gas sector is highly profitable, while the proximity of the Far East to the rapidly developing markets of the Asia-Pacific nations and the region’s significant resource potential point to the possibility of accelerated development for export-oriented projects. High added value must be achieved in gas and hydrocarbon production, including production integrated with oil refineries, in order to maximize gross regional product (GRP) and tax revenues. At the same time, the domestic needs of the regions must not be forgotten. Levels of gasification in the Far East are almost three times lower than the national average, while two thirds of thermal power stations in the Far Eastern Federal District still run on coal. Connecting industrial and residential facilities to gas will drive economic development, create new jobs, increase incomes and reduce air pollution caused by emissions from the combustion of coal and fuel oil. The gasification of the Far East should take into account the fuel and energy mix of each specific region. In some areas proximity to the trunk infrastructure will make efficient pipeline gasification possible, while in others the best option will be independent gasification. In some cases, a large industrial enterprise serving as an anchor consumer will be required in order to make gasification economically feasible. How can the implementation of export-oriented projects be prioritized and what should the areas of focus be? How can capital expenditure on the maintenance and development of the gas pipeline system be reduced? Are the state support measures already in place sufficient for the effective development of gasification in the regions of the Far Eastern Federal District? What conditions must be in place in order to develop petrochemical plants, including those that are integrated with oil refineries? What else needs to be done in order to accelerate the development of mini LNG projects? Should the issue of decarbonization be taken into account when implementing gasification in the Far Eastern Federal District?

Moderator:
Grigory Berezkin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, ESN Group

Welcome Remarks:
John Gordon — Managing Director, Johnson Matthey
Satoru Ichinokawa — Chief Operating Officer, Chemicals Div., Marubeni Corporation
Pierroberto Folgiero — Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Maire Tecnimont

Panellists:
Grigory Vygon — Managing Director, VYGON Consulting
Eduard Gudkov — Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, NOVATEK
Gadzhimagomed Huseynov — First Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Andrey Zelenskiy — Chief Managing Director, VEB.RF
Dmitry Konov — Chairman of the Management Board, SIBUR Holding
Vitaly Markelov — Deputy Chairman of the Management Committee, Member of the Board of Directors, Gazprom
Pyotr Pak — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Amur Region
Nikolay Sabitov — General Director, Himproekt
Pavel Sorokin — Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation

Front row participant:
Stanislav Neverov — General Director, East Arctic Oil and Gas Corporation

Tourism is transforming in Russia and becoming a major sector of the economy that is attractive to a broad range of investors. By developing tourism, we are improving transport accessibility within and between regions, creating stylish and modern urban spaces, and opening the unique nature of our country as well as its cultural and gastronomic diversity to Russians and foreigners. How is the construction of modern hotels setting a new standard of quality? What prospects exist for improving the system of connectivity between the regions and places of interest, including small-scale aviation in tourism and the integration of waterways and railway routes? What are the prospects for the concept that has been prepared to develop cruise tourism in Russia, including cruises in the regions of the Far East, as well as to further expand Arctic routes? How can we safely and fully resume international tourism with a focus on the Asia-Pacific partnership?

Moderator:
Tatiana Remezova — Anchor, Russia Television and Radio (VGTRK)

Panellists:
Rishat Bagautdinov — General Director, Vodokhod
Zarina Doguzova — Head, Russian Federal Agency for Tourism
Andrey Ignatiyev — President, Russian Tourism Union
Lee In-Young — Minister of Unification of the Republic of Korea (online)
Anton Perin — Senior Managing Banker, Real Estate Project Management and Asset Management Unit, VEB.RF
Oleg Khorokhordin — Head of the Altai Republic

Front row participants:
Alexis Delaroff — Chief Operating Officer, Accor Russia, Georgia, Ukraine & the CIS (online)
Alexey Erokhin — Director of the Far Eastern Branch, EY
Sagid Zaremukov — Director, Russian Convention Bureau
Dashi Namdakov — Founder, Fund for the Promotion of Culture and Art named after Dashinima Namdakov
Alexander Osipov — Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory

The circular economy not only mitigates environmental damage but also stimulates economic growth by creating a new recycling sector, reducing production costs, lowering price risks, attracting investment, and increasing real disposable household income. This kind of economic model creates jobs and drives innovation. What’s more, countries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific Region have already resorted to a planned economy, having implemented the relevant directives and general plans, along with the national legislation which underpins them. What are the opportunities in the Far East and Arctic regions for recycling household rubbish? What support measures need to be taken to develop manufacturing using waste materials?

Moderator:
Sergey Podoynikov — Executive Director, EcoTyresUnion

Panellists:
Denis Butsayev — General Director, Russian Environmental Operator Public Law Company
Viktor Evtukhov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Yuriy Korotaev — General Director, Duracell Russia
Vladimir Solodov — Governor of Kamchatka Territory
Dmitriy Tetenkin — Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Sergey Komyshan — Executive Director for Marketing and Sales, Procurement, Innovation and Business Development, SIBUR
Aleksandr Finogenov — Director of the Investment Activities Block, InfraVEB

In today's multipolar world, there are many different processes of gradual and deep integration of individual national economies into the global system of production and trade in goods and services. However, with the development of multi-polar integration processes in the world economy, one can clearly notice the increasing challenges of the dollar-centric financial system that emerged in the second half of the twentieth century. In addition to the fundamental economic disadvantage of the existing financial system for developing countries, there are other problems: the dependence of national monetary systems on external factors, the greater vulnerability to a potential crisis in the US economy, the inability to ensure confidentiality of international payments, the use of the reserve currency and its infrastructure (SWIFT) as a leverage in political issues, as well as unjustified transaction costs. A number of government officials, economists and experts in world trade suggest reconsidering the principles of regulation and ownership of the universal exchange equivalent and exploring the transition from the US national currency as the basis of world trade to fundamentally new supranational money, which would be managed by the widest range of states on the basis of partnership.

Moderator:
Alexey Bobrovsky — Head of the Economic Programme, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Alexander Galushka — Vice President of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation
Kong Dan — Chairman of the Board, CITIC Reform and Development Research Foundation (online)
Grigory Marchenko — Advisor to the Chairman of the Management Board, Eurasian Development Bank; Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2009–2013) (online)
Alexander Osipov — Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory
Tu Xinquan — Professor, Dean, China Institute for WTO Studies, University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) (online)
Guo Jun — Deputy Secretary-general, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee; Vice President, China Economic and Social Council (CESC) (online)

There are thousands and thousands of kilometres between Italy and the Russian Far East. However, this distance shouldn't be an excuse for not developing trade and economic cooperation. It is espe-cially important in the current difficult period, when the economy all over the world is beginning to overcome the pandemic crisis. Right now, every direction and every opportunity is important to re-turn together to stable and sustainable growth, and to create jobs and conditions for social and eco-nomic prosperity for all parties. What areas of interaction are opening up between Italy and Russia's Far East?

Moderator:
Alexey Bobrovsky — Head of the Economic Programme, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Alexander Kalinin — President, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA
Vladimir Padalko — Vice President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
Rosario Pedicini — General Manager in Tokyo, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA
Giorgio Starace — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to Japan (online)
Oksana Tarasenko — Corporate Secretary in the Vice President Rank, PJSC Rosneft Oil Company
Antonio Fallico — President, Conoscere Eurasia Association; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Banca Intesa

Front row participants:
Antonello Colussi — President, Danieli Russia; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Danieli Volga
Pavel Serebryakov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Management Company Slavda
Vittorio Torrembini — President, Association of Italian Entrepreneurs in Russia (GIM Unimpresa)

Video address:
Sandro Bergamo — Managing Director, DKC Group
Pasquale Terracciano — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Italian Republic to the Russian Federation

The rapid introduction of digital technologies in all walks of life in recent years has led to significant changes in the nature and structure of work, global trade and economic relations. The global transition to a new technological order is revolutionary in nature. Entire industries are dying out, new ones are emerging, and transaction costs are falling sharply in sectors that have undergone digitization. The development of digital technologies and their penetration into all spheres of life – the economy, social sector, culture, education, politics, etc. – is not only changing the order, but is also affecting the functioning and prospects of key institutions, the most important of which is the state, which is now faced with the need to preserve its most important attribute – sovereignty. Should the state protect its digital sovereignty through barriers or new practices? Is joint or coordianted digital sovereignty important for the EAEU? Can public-private partnerships become a tool for protecting digital sovereignty? How can we ensure leadership in the international competition for digital sovereignty?

Moderator:
Andrey Bezrukov — President, Technological Sovereignty Exports Association; Professor, Department of Applied International Analysis, MGIMO University

Panellists:
Igor Drozdov — Chairman of the Board, Skolkovo Foundation
Maxim Parshin — Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation
Tigran Sargsyan — Deputy Chairman of the Board, Eurasian Development Bank
Aleksei Iuzhakov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Promobot
Artur Yusupov — Head, Chairman of the Board, Moi Bizness Association of Entrepreneurship Development Institutes

In attracting investments, the Far East has to compete with other regions of Russia in addition to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region. If at the start of the development plans for the Far East, investors could obtain unique advantages in the form of an advanced regulatory and legal framework based on the best practices in the Asia-Pacific region, the benefits of Advanced Development Territories zones (TOP), e-visas and other novelties, today these tools have already become best business practices throughout the country. During the pandemic, many countries have taken new steps in favor of the openness, acceleration, simplification, and digitalization of public services and investment processes, with a number of these measures included in anti-crisis packages. The Russian government has introduced mechanisms for agreements on the protection and promotion of capital investments (SZPK), a strict regulatory measure aimed at improving the investment climate in Russia. The question arises: what should the Far East have or acquire in this new reality in order to remain competitive and get ahead? Is the Far East competitive today in the race for investments? What do investors expect in this changed world? What bold, new ideas in shaping the investment climate can the Far East provide as a new leap forward?

Moderator:
Vladimir Solodov — Governor of Kamchatka Territory

Panellists:
Anatoliy Bobrakov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Sergey Kolesnikov — Co-owner, Managing Partner, TECHNONICOL Group of companies
Alexander Kondrashin — Director General, Agency for Investment Development of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Mikhail Orlov — Partner, Head of Tax and Legal, KPMG in the CIS
Leonid Petukhov — Managing Partner, Sistema PJSFC
Valeriya Repkova — General Director, Project Initiatives Development Agency
Roman Trotsenko — Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, AEON Corporation
Roman Chichkanov — Deputy General Director for Investments, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation

Front row participant:
Alexander Osipov — Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory

It is not just entrepreneurs who are interested in small business development in the Far East –the state shares this concern as well. Small and medium businesses are the lifeblood of the urban economy; they generate added value, bring in tax revenue and create jobs. Developing SMEs is a major step towards achieving many of the region’s socio-economic development goals. However, the development policy of the Far Eastern Federal District and Arctic region often centres around the support and development of major projects – sometimes to the detriment of small business. Analysing the situation in the Far East provides an insight into the unique and most pressing challenges faced by small businesses on a daily basis. Such challenges must be addressed to ensure economic development and foster entrepreneurial spirit in the region. What are the main problems when running a small business in the Far East and how do entrepreneurs see them being resolved? Given the uniqueness of running a small business in the Far East and the peculiarities of developing SMEs in the northern territories and the Arctic, what are some specific solutions to the problems outlined? What is the most effective way of stimulating SME development in cities, and where are the most promising markets located? Could access to the Asia-Pacific Region solve the problem of insufficient demand?

Moderator:
Roman Karmanov — Chief Executive Officer, Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives

Panellists:
Gulnaz Kadyrova — Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Aysen Nikolaev — Head of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Igor Nosov — General Director, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation
Alexey Okhlopkov — First Deputy Governor of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area–Yugra
Zelfira Tregulova — General Director, The State Tretyakov Gallery

Front row participants:
Elena Zelentsova — Head of the Department of Territorial Development, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)
Yulia Klimko — Director, Enso Foundation for Cultural Initiatives

The past year has been a challenge for the oil and gas sector. The petrochemical industry, however, has once again shown its resilience to financial and economic shocks, achieving growth in a number of areas. In view of the growing prominence of the climate agenda, it is forecast that by the 2040s oil and petroleum products will no longer dominate the global energy mix. New niches for petrochemical products will be identified, while companies and nations developing this industry today will be able to diversify their production and provide a reliable source of fuel with a low carbon footprint and high added value. The Far East is home to major hydrocarbon reserves and is close to some of the world’s largest petrochemical markets. In view of the effective state support measures, the region is set to become a platform for the implementation of major projects to support the creation of new industrial clusters and the development of new technologies, including green technologies, in turn attracting foreign investment. What is the prognosis for oil and gas processing present-day projects in the Far East? How can we solve the main issues concerning the industry’s development – infrastructure and technology? What are promising areas for the development of petrochemical clusters? And what is the expected demand in domestic and foreign markets for high value-add products?

Moderator:
Dmitriy Akishin — Director, Gas and Chemicals, VYGON Consulting

Panellists:
Viktor Evtukhov — State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Karisalov — Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer, SIBUR
Vadim Medvedev — Vice President, ESN Group
Pavel Sorokin — Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Sutyaginskiy — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Titan Group of Companies

Front row participant:
Anton Drozdov — Deputy Chairman, Promsvyazbank

The fishing investment quota mechanism was first put in place five years ago and since then, investment by Russian fishing companies has increased almost fivefold. To date, 24 new fish processing plants have either been built or are under construction in the Russian Far East and Arctic, along with 85 new fishing and crab-catching vessels. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed new challenges to Russian fishers and further highlighted a long-standing issue – that of inadequate infrastructure. What metrics demonstrate that the investment quotas are effective at facilitating growth in the fishing industry? What have been the biggest challenges that fishing companies have faced with regards investment quotas, and what changes need to be made? What should be the main area of focus when expanding investment quotas? Would it be more effective for the government and industry to concentrate on processing marine bio-resources at sea or on land? What should be prioritized in the coming years in terms of developing logistics for the fishing sector?

Moderator:
Alexander Krutikov — Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Investment Partnership "Ryba.RF" Corporation

Panellists:
Aleksandr Verkhovsky — Founder, Hydrostroy
Ivan Mikhnov — President, Antey Group of Companies
Yuliya Morozova — Acting Deputy Chairman of the Government of Kamchatskiy Krai; Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Kamchatskiy Krai
Sergey Nesvetov — Executive Director, North West Fishing Consortium
Alexey Rakhmanov — Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, United Shipbuilding Corporation (online)
Vladimir Sitnov — Senior Vice President, Sberbank
Sergey Tarusov — Chairman, Lenin Collective Farm Fishery
Gleb Frank — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Russian Fishery Company
Ilya Shestakov — Head, Federal Agency for Fisheries (Rosrybolovstvo)

Front row participants:
Anatoliy Bobrakov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Alexey Buglak — President, Russian Pollock Cachers Association
Aleksei Osintsev — President, Association of Fishing Fleet Shipowners

The Far East is a vast region. As well as having a harsh climate, many areas are located far from Russia’s major population centres. However, the region also boasts a wealth of natural resources, and enjoys proximity to the fast-growing market of the Asia-Pacific region. As a result, the region possesses enormous potential that is still to be fully realized. The last 18 months have seen a marked drop in passenger and cargo traffic, as well as disruption to global supply chains. Consequently, there has been a palpable shift in the global economic and geopolitical landscape. Periods of turbulence, however, invariably bring with them great opportunities and great change. For the Russian Far East, this period could also serve as a springboard for future success in the new reality. The country’s leadership has stated that the development of the Far East is to be a national priority for the entire 21st century. Accordingly, it has paid close attention to the region, together with the Arctic. This fact, together with a focus on advanced economic development and the creation of comfortable living conditions for the population, mean that the region’s potential for intensive growth is continuing to increase. The region enjoys proximity to the major sales markets of Japan, China, South Korea and other countries of the fast-growing Asia Pacific region. In addition, work to develop the Northern Sea Route continues apace. These factors are helping to support and scale up successful initiatives aimed at boosting the region’s export potential. At the same time, it is crucial to remember that the quality of work done to develop projects, as well as adherence to time frames, can have a bearing on their success for decades to come. In light of this, two ambitious landmark megaprojects in the region deserve special attention – the construction of a tidal power plant at Kamchatka’s Penzhin Bay (together with the development of green hydrogen at the plant), and the creation of a hydrogen cluster on Sakhalin. Is the region’s hydrogen agenda a utopian fantasy, or does it represent a genuine opportunity to attain a new status and level of development? What economic benefits will these megaprojects bring to the country? To what degree is Russia prepared to implement these megaprojects and unlock the region’s development potential in the period to 2030? Who are the main consumers of new forms of energy? And what impact will they have on the geopolitical situation in the Asia-Pacific region?

Moderator:
Vasily Savin — Partner, Head of Power and Utilities, KPMG in the CIS

Panellists:
Roman Berdnikov — First Deputy General Director, Member of the Management Board, RusHydro
Pavel Grachev — Chairman of the Board of Directors, H2 Clean Energy
Gadzhimagomed Huseynov — First Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Artem Dovlatov — Deputy Chairman, Member of the Management Board, VEB.RF; General Director, VEB.DV
Valery Limarenko — Governor of Sakhalin Region
Anton Moskvin — Vice President for Marketing and Business Development, Rusatom Overseas

Front row participant:
Konstantin Korotov — General Director, Kamchatka Development Corporation

Building agglomerations on the basis of existing and new cities is a popular global trend and an effective new tool for the economic and social development of cities. Despite its relatively small population, the Far East has all the prerequisites for the scaling up of its cities and regions. Projects driving the integrated development of a number of territories are currently being developed in several Far Eastern regions. It is hoped that integration processes will facilitate the more effective use of the Far East’s natural advantages, infrastructure, human capital and financial resources, and will provide an additional incentive for business development through the expansion of the services market and the creation of new niches. How can a spatial development strategy for cities in the Far East be implemented? Why are masterplans necessary and how are smart cities created? Will high-quality architecture improve living standards in the Far East?

Moderator:
Dmitry Pristanskov — State Secretary – Vice-President, Norilsk Nickel

Panellists:
Konstantin Bogdanenko — Co-owner, The DNS Corporate Group
Igor Egorov — Member of the Management Board, Vice President for Infrastructure Development, MTS PJSC
Tatiana Mokhova — General Director, Unity LLC
Sunguk Moon — Head of Global Business, KT Corporation
Alexey Muratov — Partner, KB Strelka
Vitaly Mutko — Chief Executive Officer, DOM.RF
Alexander Tarabrin — Head of Real Estate Project Management and Asset Management Unit – Member of the Board, VEB.RF
Natalya Trunova — Auditor, Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic (online)
Konstantin Shestakov — Head of the City of Vladivostok

Front row participants:
Maxim Dankin — Deputy Director for Regional Development, Information and Analytical Center of the State Commission for Arctic Development
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation

As restrictions were imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so trade and economic cooperation between all nations suffered, including Russia and China. In 2020, trade between the two nations was valued at USD 107.77 billion – a 2.9% decrease compared to the same period the year before. At the same time, however, trade between China and the Far Eastern Federal District was valued at USD 10.8 billion – a 3.3% increase compared to the same period the year before. Even during a pandemic, the foundation built over many years of partnership between the Russian Far East and China meant that a positive trend in cooperation was maintained. Clearly, the potential exists to achieve a great deal more, and new approaches need to be developed accordingly in the new reality. The objective is to turn intentions into tangible results. What industries are becoming increasingly important in terms of investment-related cooperation in the Far Eastern Federal District? Which projects have been designated as priorities, and which require more attention? What steps need to be taken to bring the value of trade between the Russian Far East and China to USD 15 billion by the next meeting of the Russian-Chinese Interparliamentary Committee for Cooperation and the Development of the Far East and Baikal Region of Russia and Northeast China?

Moderators:
Zhou Liqun — President, Elus Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs
Vadim Moshkovich — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Rusagro

Panellists:
Zhu Bixin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, China Chengtong Holdings Group Ltd (online)
Yang Ruobing — Chairman of the Board of Directors, MCC International Corporation (online)
Konstantin Lashkevich — Chief Executive Officer, RFP Group
Dmitry Savenkov — General Director, Legendagro Primomorye LLC
Lu Hao — General Director, KitayStroy LLC
Nikolay Kharitonov — Chairman of the Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Yang Huaiyi — General Director, Branch of Sinopec Overseas Oil and Gas Ltd
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic (online)
Yihe Chen — Chairman of the Management Committee, Energy Industry Corporation (online)
Li Shaoshi — General Director, Xinxing Far East Corporation LLC
Andrey Sharonov — President, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO
May Yunhun — Chairman of the Board, Country Garden Agricultural Holding; Vice President, Country Garden Group (online)

Front row participant:
Yan Wenbin — Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Vladivostok

Video address:
Zhang Hanhui — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation

Today, a modern healthy city is one that combines a balance of environmental, social, and economic development interests, including parks and green areas that act as points of attraction for residents. These new public spaces can become both centres for healthy activity and places for social activity. How do we create a positive image of a city and encourage residents to play sports outdoors? Can foreign experience in transforming areas into green spaces generate ideas for greening the cities of the Far East? What infrastructure from park zones is optimal for the cities in the Far Eastern Federal District?

Moderator:
Ekaterina Kucheryavenko — Managing Project Director, KB Strelka

Panellists:
Melita Vujnovic — Representative to the Russian Federation, Head of Office, World Health Organization Office in the Russian Federation (online)
Sergey Kravchuk — Mayor of Khabarovsk
Andrey Samokhin — Chief Executive Officer, Head of Analytics and Marketing Unit, VEB.RF Group
Kirill Solgalov — Deputy Director, Chief Architect, SPI Planning Group
Marat Shamyunov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Russia has set a key strategic goal for transport and logistics development in order to increase cargo transit between Asia and Europe tenfold by 2030. To realize this objective, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation is implementing a project to create unmanned logistics corridors with a digital infrastructure that will ensure the safe movement of autonomous trucks for all global vehicle manufacturers. The starting point will be the M-11 Neva, the world's first motorway that will be populated by unmanned lorries by 2024. The proven solutions will then be scaled to the Central Ring Road, the M-12 road from Moscow to Yekaterinburg, which is currently under construction, and approximately 20,000 kilometres of federal highways. With this approach, Russia will gradually build a digital bridge between Asia and Europe. Which companies will be the first participants in the Europe and Asia project, and when can we expect unmanned trucks to transport goods from Asia to Europe and back? What steps has Russia already taken to create the world's first transit corridors for autonomous road transport?

Moderator:
Olga Arkhangelskaya — Partner, Head of Real Estate, Hospitality, and Construction Services, Head of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Government, and Public Group in the CIS, EY

Panellists:
Kirill Bogdanov — Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation
Evgeniy Ditrikh — Chief Executive Officer, GTLK
Anton Zamkov — General Director, RT-Invest Transport Systems; Director, Digital Transport and Logistics Association
Igor Kashirin — General Director, GLOSAV
Sergei Yavorski — General Director, Volvo Vostok

Front row participants:
Oleg Pankratov — Chief Executive Officer, VTB Infrastructure Holding
Sergey Sergushev — Deputy General Director for Logistics, Russian Post
Anatoliy Smorgonskiy — General Director, Gett in Russia

In striving for sustainable economic growth and prosperity across Asia-Pacific, APEC economies assumed that higher education was the main driving force of vibrant markets and solid socio-economic progress for regional prosperity. Thus, APEC’s development as regards education has become of utmost importance in acquiring essential competencies to develop human resources, foster innovation and technology, and enhance employment opportunities.
For ten years, APEC Conference on Cooperation in Higher Education has been committed to strengthening ties between educational institutions of Russia and Asia-Pacific economies. The Conference and Far Eastern Federal University as its key organizer have become a reliable platform for discussing trends and challenges in the development of the regional educational community, while also offering a visionary framework for policymaking.
Participants of the 10th APEC CCHE are invited to contemplate the future of cooperation in higher education in Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Key topics:
• The changing face of higher education: trends, challenges, and determinants of development in Asia-Pacific;
• New and existing frameworks to foster education and lifelong learning;
• APEC education strategies: looking back and moving forward;
• Best educational practices of the decade in APEC economies.

Moderator:
Victoria Panova — Vice-Rector for International Relations, Far Eastern Federal University

Welcome Remarks:
Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana — Executive Secretary, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) (online)
Galina Karelova — Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (online)
Alexey Koshel — Acting Rector, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)

Panellists:
Nikita Anisimov — Rector, National Research University Higher School of Economics
Kirill Barskiy — Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Nguyen Van Phuc — Deputy Minister of Education and Training of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (online)
Victor Godoy Veiga — Executive Secretary, Ministry of Education of the Federative Republic of Brazil (online)
Luciano Concheiro Borquez — Undersecretary of Higher Education, The Ministry of Education of Mexico (online)
Evgeny Primakov — Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)
Christopher Tremewan — Secretary General, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (online)
Valery Falkov — Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
Kiyoshi Yamada — Rector of Tokai University

In September 2020, the National Programme for the Socioeconomic Development of the Far East until 2024 and with a View to 2035 was approved, which provides guidance to authorities at all levels, business, and society focus their efforts on the key priorities for the development of the region. The main goals of the programme are to accelerate the development of the region’s economy, improve the demographic situation, and better people’s quality of life. What are the initial results of the implementation of the National Programme, and how does this affect the achievement of national goals for the accelerated development of the Far East, as well as most importantly, generate real improvements in people’s lives? What projects and decisions related to the economic development of the Far East have already been adopted and how do they affect the achievement of the goals for accelerated economic growth? What steps should be taken to assure the successful implementation of the National Programme in the future?

Moderator:
Mikhail Kuznetsov — Director, Eastern State Planning Center (FANU Vostokgosplan)

Panellists:
Sergey Kirov — Member of the Board, First Deputy Director General, RusHydro
Elena Martynova — Deputy Head,The Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr)
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation
Marat Shamyunov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Alexander Shokhin — President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

Front row participants:
Ivan Abramov — Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Yuliya Morozova — Acting Deputy Chairman of the Government of Kamchatskiy Krai; Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Kamchatskiy Krai
Vasiliy Nagibin — Acting Head of Economic and Social Policy Affairs Department, Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District
Aysen Nikolaev — Head of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

As of 1 January 2022, a blanket ban on the export of unprocessed softwood logs and high-value hardwood logs will come into force in Russia. Given the insufficient processing capacity in the Far Eastern Federal District, there is a risk of job losses in the logging industry. There are also a number of factors constraining the development of the timber industry, including the lack of up-to-date information about timber reserves, the absence of forest roads and power supply systems, the use of low-productivity manual labour in timber harvesting, and the fragmentation of non-leased forest areas. What should the timber industry development strategy to 2030 entail and how should it be implemented? What state support measures are needed in order to minimize the socioeconomic risks associated with the ban on unprocessed timber exports, and how can the raw material base be used more efficiently? What should be done to ensure the regeneration of timber resources? How can regulatory challenges in the forestry sector be overcome, and does the problem of illegal logging in the Far East still need addressing? When will the federal state information system launch its forestry project, and how should timber businesses prepare? How can data about timber resources be better utilized, and how can the process for acquiring forest leases be simplified?

Moderator:
Alexander Abramov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, EVRAZ plc

Panellists:
Kirill Berman — Executive Director of Digital Transformation, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation
Anatoliy Bobrakov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Oleg Bocharov — Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Dmitrii Dobrynin — Vice President, New Forest Pro
Nikolay Ivanov — Managing Director, Segezha Group
Konstantin Lashkevich — Chief Executive Officer, RFP Group
Vladimir Sitnov — Senior Vice President, Sberbank
Viacheslav Spirenkov — Deputy Head, Federal Forestry Agency
Hiroshi Tomishima — Senior Managing Director, Iida Group Holdings Co Ltd

In the new economy, continuous self-improvement is a key to success, and it is no longer enough for a modern person to possess previously acquired knowledge, as contextual and cross-contextual skills need to be continuously learned, updated and developed. Access to lifelong learning is essential for everyone, but it can be difficult for women in particular given their typical family obligations to find the time and opportunity for lifelong professional development. In an environment where competencies are rapidly renewed, even a minor interruption in work has the consequence of a loss of professional relevance, lack of career progression and reduced pay. The pandemic and self-isolation proved once again that the best way to invest is in one's own growth, and it is women in senior or self-employed positions who have the opportunity to invest the most in their own development. How do we learn to learn for professional development, and how can we make lifelong learning accessible to all? What projects are needed to increase educational opportunities for women?

Moderator:
Maria Afonina — Vice-rector for Educational Activities, "Senezh" Management Workshop

Panellists:
Evgeniya Dolmatova — Founder, School of Ballet and performing arts «Artist»; Ballerina of the Mariinsky Theater and the Bavarian National Ballet
Elena Druzhinina — Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (online)
Vera Podguzova — Senior Vice President, Director of External Relations Directorate, Promsvyazbank
Svetlana Fefilova — Deputy General Director, Gazprom-Media Holding
Anna Tsivileva — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kolmar Group

Front row participants:
Olga Badma-Khalgaeva — President, ANO DO "Academy of the Future ProfessoriUM"
Lyudmila Talabaeva — Member of the Committee of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management

Establishing specially protected national areas has long been a form of environmental protection in the Russian Federation. Embedded in the country’s environmental doctrine is the idea of creating and developing different levels of protected areas and regulations which cover key areas of state environmental policy. These protected areas are seen as way of developing ecotourism. In an age of rapid development, environmental bodies are playing an increasingly important role; they are not only ensuring environmental protection but are also delivering countless sustainable development projects. The topic of sustainable development, along with CSR, ESG and IGP, is therefore gaining momentum. Major companies are involved in these areas, which underscores their relevance. How can we solve challenges linked to the preservation and promotion of biodiversity? How can we create public-private partnerships in this sector? Can scientific development in protected areas pave the way for localised sustainable development and enhanced environmental safety for industrial enterprises? What measures are needed to develop ecotourism, including in protected areas?

Moderator:
Alexandra Suvorova — Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Dmitry Gorshkov — Director, World Wildlife Fund Russia
Andrey Grachev — Vice President for Federal and Regional Programs, Norilsk Nickel
Sergei Ivanov — Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport
Alexander Osipov — Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory
Petr Shpilenok — Director, Kronotsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve

Front row participants:
Alexey Kumarkov — Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Kamchatka Territory
Evgeny Tatarinov — Commercial Director, VTB Leasing
Elena Topoleva-Soldunova — Member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation; Chairman, Commission for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector and Support of Socially Oriented NPOs; Director, "Agency of Social Information"

Sustainable development issues are playing an increasingly important role for the Russian manufacturing industry. Manufacturing has a significant impact on the environment. Tens of thousands of people are employed in factories across Russia. Interest in ESG issues and the extent to which manufacturing companies run their business responsibly is growing, not only from a regulatory and societal point of view but from the point of view of international investors. Meanwhile, the transboundary nature of many environmental problems, such as climate change, and the complex nature of social challenges are forming common concerns and establishing a shared agenda for the manufacturing industry across the world. Russian industrialists and their international colleagues need to establish fruitful cooperation to exchange experience in solving sustainable development problems. What forms might this cooperation take? Are there real-life examples of this cooperation and what trajectory should it take in future? What know-how can Russian companies impart to their foreign colleagues? What kinds of solutions are urgently needed by Russian companies?

Moderator:
Igor Korotetskiy — Partner, Head of Operational Risk and Sustainability, KPMG in the CIS

Panellists:
Pavel Grachev — Chief Executive Officer, Polyus
Rohitesh Dhawan — Chief Executive Officer, International Council on Mining and Metals (online)
Sergey Komyshan — Executive Director for Marketing and Sales, Procurement, Innovation and Business Development, SIBUR
Alexander Liberov — President, Siemens in Russia
John Mulligan — Climate Change Lead and Market Relations, World Gold Council (online)
Yuliya Shabala — Deputy Director General for Sustainable Development and Corporate Affairs, Udokan Copper
Claude Schimper — Senior Vice President for Russia Operations, Kinross Gold Corporation

Front row participant:
Mikhail Sutyaginskiy — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Titan Group of Companies

The rapid socio-economic development of the Far East is one of the most important objectives of state policy set by the Russian President. To achieve this effectively, it is necessary to overcome a number of serious challenges. These include higher risks for investors and the resulting cost of funding. Experience shows that the barriers to investors in the Far East can be effectively overcome in partnership between business and government, with the involvement of development institutions. In recent years, such large-scale investment projects have been implemented with their participation, creating a radically new economic landscape in the Far East, such as the gas chemical cluster in the Amur Region, the production of ships and mineral fertilizers in the Primorye Territory, copper and gold mining in the Khabarovsk Territory, the modernization of airports, etc. A number of promising projects are on the way that could have significant socio-economic effects for the macro-region's economy and residents. How can we ensure the rapid socio-economic development of the Far East? What role does infrastructure play in this development? What steps should be taken to realize the region's tourism and export potential? How can we accelerate urban development and achieve a sustainable influx of people into the macro-region?

Moderator:
Artem Dovlatov — Deputy Chairman, Member of the Management Board, VEB.RF; General Director, VEB.DV

Panellists:
Konstantin Basyuk — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Khabarovsk Airport
Sergey Bachin — General Director, Vasta Discovery
Alexander Krutikov — Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Investment Partnership "Ryba.RF" Corporation
Stalbek Mishakov — CEO, Northern Star LLC
Alexey Muratov — Partner, KB Strelka
Vladimir Solodov — Governor of Kamchatka Territory
Konstantin Shestakov — Head of the City of Vladivostok

Front row participants:
Andrey Anikin — Deputy General Director for Project Development and Support, USK MOST JSC
Aleksandr Devyatkin — Head of Infrastructure and PPP Projects Financing, Credit Department, VTB Bank
Konstantin Sukhorebrik — General Director, Aurora Airlines

It will not be possible to achieve accelerated development in the Far East unless economic ties between regions and established centres of growth are strengthened and expanded. In other words, an agglomeration effect needs to be achieved on a national scale, and a developed transport infrastructure is a prerequisite to this process. What’s more, transport infrastructure needs to develop at a more rapid rate than other sectors. This should ultimately translate into reduced transport costs for all business entities, and to these ends, efforts need to focus on three areas: expanding and overhauling traditional forms of transport in the Far East – rail, road and air; essential infrastructure for maritime multimodal transportation needs to be put in place (particularly Northern Sea Route) including river transport and inland waterway infrastructure; and driverless transport. What are the current requirements with regards infrastructure? What can be done to support the flow of imports and exports and do tariffs need to be put in place pertaining to the access to infrastructure? What potential does multimodal transportation hold for the economy of the Russian Far East? What prospects exist for inland waterways and driverless transport in the Far East?

Moderator:
Roman Trotsenko — Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, AEON Corporation

Panellists:
Maxim Akimov — Chief Executive Officer, Russian Post
Oleg Belozerov — Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways
Gadzhimagomed Huseynov — First Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Evgeniy Ditrikh — Chief Executive Officer, GTLK
Alexandrs Isurins — President, Chairman of the Executive Board, TransContainer
Ekaterina Lyakhova — Director for Business Development, The State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM; Deputy Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors, JSC Atomenergoprom
Irina Olkhovskaya — Chief Officer for Seaport and Railway Projects, UMMC
Stephan Solzhenitsyn — Chief Executive Officer, Siberian Generating Company; Chief Executive Officer, SUEK
Vadim Shvetsov — General Director, Sollers Group

Front row participants:
Alexander Krutikov — Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Investment Partnership "Ryba.RF" Corporation
Nikolay Chernetsov — Director of Strategic and Operational Consulting Practice, KPMG in the CIS

The Far Eastern Federal District and the Arctic are among the most vulnerable regions on earth. As well as being characterized by their harsh climate, they are home to indigenous peoples, unique flora and fauna, and a wealth of resources. Consequently, a deliberate and particularly careful approach is required when it comes to local development and protecting each region’s unique heritage for future generations. Leading European and Asian powers are focusing on issues surrounding climate change and the shift to a low-carbon economy. This is in turn opening up new prospects for the Russian Far East and the Arctic. As the potential of the Northern Sea Route is unlocked, so regional opportunities are expanding in terms of shipping and proximity to sales markets. In addition, favourable geographical conditions are paving the way for the regions to become leaders in hydrogen production and renewable energy. At the same time, cutting-edge digital and telecommunications technologies are making business management more efficient with regard to dealing with large distances, energy efficiency, and labour productivity. Could digital and green technologies become new competitive advantages for the Far East and Arctic, and herald a shift away from the regions’ traditional economies? Could the regions attract European investment with the view to exporting to the Japanese, Chinese, and South Korean markets?

Moderator:
Tadzio Schilling — Chief Executive Officer, Association of European Businesses

Panellists:
Alexander Malikov — Vice-President for development, Orange Business Services
Sergey Machekhin — Deputy General Director Project Engineering and International Cooperation, RusHydro
Anton Moskvin — Vice President for Marketing and Business Development, Rusatom Overseas
Edgars Puzo — Chief Executive Officer, Russia and CIS, Atos
Antti Helantera — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland in the Russian Federation
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic (online)
Anton Chudaev — General Director in Russia, ROMA S.A.S

Front row participants:
Francois Borgida — Vice President for Russia, TotalEnergies (online)
Denis Butsayev — General Director, Russian Environmental Operator Public Law Company
Yaroslav Gamzikov — General Director in Russia, Smoove
Dmitry Grigoriev — General Director in Russia, E.ON Connecting Energies
Alexis Delaroff — Chief Operating Officer, Accor Russia, Georgia, Ukraine & the CIS (online)
Dmitry Zavgorodniy — Managing director, Member of the Management Board, Hyve Russia
Tore Morten Loeseth — Senior Vice President of International Exploration and Production, Equinor
Pavel Shinsky — General Director, French-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (online)

The wave of healthcare modernization that took place in 2020 could potentially spur the development of medical tourism in Russia. The pandemic forced us to mobilize the resources of the healthcare system and significantly enhance its accessibility, including for people who come to Russia for treatment. In order to enhance the investment appeal of the medical export market as well as further integrate Russia into the global medical services market, it is crucial to pursue a targeted policy of improving the customer-oriented approach of medical services and take it to the level of international standards. The Far Eastern Federal District’s strategic proximity to countries of the Asia-Pacific region could provide an advantage in terms of developing medical tourism, as long as it boosts the transfer of modern medical technologies to Russia, the number of clinics and the construction of high-quality competitive medical infrastructure. Can medical tourism in Russia become a driver of economic development? How can investment and the volume of medical services be increased and potentially generate exports from Russia? What strategies should be used to help improve the quality of medical care in Russia as it applies to tourism? Will rehabilitative medicine and the growing demand for related services due to COVID-19 become a driver for the development of the medical tourism industry? How can we utilize the potential of international cooperation and boost the transfer of the best innovative technologies from APEC countries to the Russian healthcare industry? What steps should be taken to increase the Far Eastern District’s potential in the export market and turn the district into one of the most attractive tourist destinations?

Moderator:
Evelina Zakamskaya — Editor-in-Chief, Doctor Channel; Anchor, Russia 24

Panellists:
Elena Zhidkova — Head, Central Healthcare Directorate, Russian Railways
Galina Izotova — Deputy Chairman, Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation
Oleg Pak — Vice Rector for Medical Affairs, Medical Centre, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)
Oleg Salagay — Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation (online)
Sergei Sidorov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Medscan
Andrey Shuvalov — Managing Partner, Medicare

Front row participant:
Sergey Davydov — General Director, "Academy of Health" Innovation Clinic

Measures were put in place last year aimed at curtailing the off shoring Russian operations including: instituting stricter requirements for international tax information exchange; a re-evaluation of double taxation avoidance agreements with a number of countries; and offing plans to expand this practice to other traditionally low-tax jurisdictions. This has been coupled with the enhancement of SAR policies to incentivize the re-domiciliation of foreign companies in the Russian Federation. At present, over 47 holding companies have made the decision to move to special administrative regions of the Russian Federation, however, take-up of SAR policies on Russky Island remains extremely low. Over the 2018–2021 period the total investment by SAR residents of Russky Island was RUB 300 million, while SAR investments at Oktyabrsky Island have already exceeded RUB 2 billion. With business interest towards SAR policies mounting, new plans have been announced for unprecedented measures aimed at stimulating economic and investment activity on the Kuril Islands. Given equal SAR conditions, what would businesses need to see in order to move to Russky Island? What extra measures are needed to ensure a comfortable return to the Russian Federation for businesses? Can we expect a second wave of migrations given the planned changes, and what kind of businesses should we expect to see in SAR within the next two years? Will the insular territories of the Russian Federation become an alternative to foreign offshore companies for businesses?

Moderator:
Mikhail Orlov — Partner, Head of Tax and Legal, KPMG in the CIS

The Far East has a great filmmaking tradition. Residents of Khabarovsk were first introduced to this global industry with the opening of the city’s first cinema in 1910. And in 1925, the Far Eastern Newsreel Studio was established in the city, making it the oldest of its kind in the country (and it still exists to this day). The acclaimed Vasilyev brothers’ film Chapaev was filmed in Primorye Territory, while in 1975, Tokyo hosted the world premiere of Dersu Uzala, which was shot almost in its entirety outdoors in Khabarovsk Territory. The film picked up an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making it one of three Russian films to win an Oscar. It also took the gold prize at the 9th Moscow International Film Festival in 1975. Today, the Far East is attracting a great deal of interest from Russian and international filmmakers, making it all the more important to offer new forms of support to the industry. What are the prospects for establishing a film cluster in the Far East? What can be done to encourage production companies to make films in the region? What forms of support are likely to be most effective with regard to the development of the film industry?

Moderator:
Aleksandra Maksimets — General Director, "SEAWOLF. Cinematic stories creation" LLC

Panellists:
Yefim Zvenyatsky — Artistic Director, Primorsky Academic Drama Theatre named after M. Gorky; Russian Government Cultural Affairs Award 2016 Winner
Alexander Melnik — Film Director, Screenwriter, Member of Russian Guild of Film Directors
Dina Podprugina — General Director, Baikalkino
Alexey Romanov — Artistic Director, Autonomous Institution of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) State Oil Company "Sakhafilm"
Fedor Scherbakov — General Director, Lenfilm Film Studio

Front row participant:
Afanasiy Savvin — General Director, Sakha Republic Development Corporation

Six of Russia’s ten largest regions by area are located in the Far Eastern Federal District, and of Russia’s five regions characterized by a low population density and harsh climate, four are also in the Far East. What’s more, ten of the Far Eastern Federal District’s eleven regions have a fiscal capacity below that of the Russian average, with four falling below the minimum amount. How will regions of the Far East be able to attain national targets with such levels of fiscal capacity? Might it be possible to move forward without a development budget? To what degree are fiscal imbalances dangerous and why do negative intergovernmental transfers exist at a municipal level, but not at a regional level? Will additional support measures help improve quality of live and stem the flow of people leaving the Far East? Why is it that in the past ten years, the average fiscal capacity of the Far Eastern Federal District has risen by a mere 13%? A number of decisions have been taken this year regarding measures to support the regions. Are these steps sufficient to restore budget equitability? Would increasing the volume of intergovernmental transfers (including grants) prove effective, or would it be better to transfer certain powers to the federal authorities?

Moderator:
Vladimir Solodov — Governor of Kamchatka Territory

Panellists:
Vladimir Klimanov — Director, Institute for Public Finance Reform (IPFR); Head of the Regional Policy Center, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)
Alexander Osipov — Governor of Trans-Baikal Territory
Tatyana Polovaikina — First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Amur Region
Diana Samandas — Minister of Finance of the Magadan Oblast
Natalya Trunova — Auditor, Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation
Marat Shamyunov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Front row participant:
Mariya Avilova — First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Khabarovsk Krai

Russia is one of the world’s three largest gold producers and five largest silver producers by volume. At the same time, significant volumes of raw materials containing precious metals are exported without passing through domestic refineries. The projected depletion of global precious metal reserves, whose value is expected to increase over time, raises questions about the optimal use of the country’s resource potential. Russia’s Ministry of Finance is developing mechanisms to regulate precious metal export volumes and create economic conditions to support refining within the country, including in the Far East. What is gold’s economic role as a defensive asset? What major projects are already being implemented in the industry and which areas could be developed in the near future? What infrastructure is required by domestic companies in order to maintain independence from western industry organizations and associations?

Moderator:
Alexander Markin — Chairman, "Association of Refineries" Non-Profit Partnership

Panellists:
Sergey Zhuravlev — Vice President of Government Relations, Polyus
Yury Zubarev — Head, Federal Assay Chamber (online)
Sergei Kushuba — Chairman, Union of Gold Producers of Russia (online)
Alexei Moiseev — Deputy Finance Minister of the Russian Federation
Alexander Pleshakov — Vice President, Polymetal Management Company
Anatoly Popov — Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank
Tatiana Fic — Director of Public Policy and Central Banking, World Gold Council (online)

Front row participant:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic

India and Russia are strategic partners, and the two nations have set the ambitious goal of increasing trade turnover to USD 30 billion by 2025. What measures need to be taken to achieve this aim? What non-commodity and non energy exports from the Far East and Arctic could play a key role in this regard? What could be done to build upon bilateral cooperation in producing and shipping coking coal? What else needs to be done to expand and boost partnership, and what other areas of the mining industry possess the biggest potential for investment related cooperation in the Russian Far East and Arctic? What are the prospects for increasing cooperation between Russia and India in the field of hydrogen power?

Moderator:
Yuri Levin — Rector, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO

Panellists:
Alok Kumar Gupta — Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, ONGC Videsh Limited
Venkatesh Varma Datla Bala — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Indian Republic in the Russian Federation
Shri Manoj Jain — Chairman, Managing Director, GAIL (India) Limited
Sergey Machekhin — Deputy General Director Project Engineering and International Cooperation, RusHydro
M. M. Murugappan — Non-Executive Chairman, Murugappa Group (online)
Irina Olkhovskaya — Chief Officer for Seaport and Railway Projects, UMMC
Shri P. Ravendran — Chairman, Chennai Port Trust (online)
Sri Hardip Singh Puri — Minister of Oil and Natural Gas of the Republic of India
Vladimir Sitnov — Senior Vice President, Sberbank
Anna Tsivileva — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kolmar Group
Uday Shankar — President, FICCI (online)
Nikolay Shulginov — Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation

Front row participant:
Vennelakanti Kalyana Rama — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Managing Director, Container Corporation of India Ltd. (online)

Taking into account the on the ground experience of fighting the pandemic, our national healthcare systems must meet the challenge of crisis, as well as institute sustainable cross-border partnerships to develop effective strategies to confront health challenges. Economic cooperation amongst Asia-Pacific countries remains vital as they were the first to be hit by the Coronavirus. The core issue in the transformation of global health today is national health security, not only in terms of strategies to prevent similar disasters from occurring, but also new areas of treatment and therapeutics that ensure high-quality medical care for all citizens remains available. What are the attributes of a sustainable healthcare system that meets the challenges of national security? What international best practices in building sustainable healthcare systems are most relevant to these goals? What steps need to be taken in the near future in order to ensure sustainable cross-border healthcare cooperation and remove barriers to fruitful interaction? Which current trends are influencing the development of medical cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region? How has the experience of the pandemic contributed to healthcare provision reforms in the Far East? What are the prospects for developing healthcare in the Far East given the proximity of Japan, China, Singapore and other countries with advanced medical technologies? How can public and private investment contribute to the development of advanced technologies in the Far East?

Moderator:
Evelina Zakamskaya — Editor-in-Chief, Doctor Channel; Anchor, Russia 24

Panellists:
Melita Vujnovic — Representative to the Russian Federation, Head of Office, World Health Organization Office in the Russian Federation (online)
Kirill Dmitriev — Chief Executive Officer, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) (online)
Galina Izotova — Deputy Chairman, Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation
Andrey Kaprin — Director, Federal State Budgetary Institution National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (online)
Stanislav Kuznetsov — Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank
Aleksandr Petrov — Head of the Subcommittee on Circulation of Medicines, Development of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry, Committee of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Health Protection
Veronika Skvortsova — Head, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of the Russian Federation (online)
Guzel Ulumbekova — Head, Higher School of Healthcare Organization and Management
Victor Fisenko — First Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation

We live in one of the most dynamic periods of human history, defined in large part by big data and high speeds conductivity. Technology is changing our lives, providing an unending flow of information. The chief role of the state according to this paradigm is to act as the owner and custodian of spatial data. A national spatial data system is currently being developed in Russia, and is set to become a development tool in Russia’s, increasing the capitalization of the national territory and improving the quality of property transactions. One of the first steps in this direction will be the implementation of a trial single information resource for land and real estate. This will provide citizens, the state and business with access to the most complete information about any given parcel, including information about housing construction and the provision of plots of land, as well as bring unused sites into economic circulation. What executive decisions about land resource allocation are being dictated by new trends? What will a single special data resource for all look like? How can land in the Far East be more effectively managed? What mechanisms and services can be used to increase the availability and quality of housing and infrastructure in the Far East?

Moderator:
Alexey Bobrovsky — Head of the Economic Programme, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Vyacheslav Alenkov — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Sakhalin Region
Fredrik Zetterquist — Chair, Bureau of the Working Party on Land Administration, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (online)
Sergey Karutin — General Director, Roscartography
Mikhail Kuznetsov — Director, Eastern State Planning Center (FANU Vostokgosplan)
Pavel Lyakhovich — Member of the Management Board, Managing Director, SIBUR LLC
Hartmut Muller — Senior Professor, Department of Geoinformatics and Surveying, Mainz University of Applied Sciences (online)
Anatoly Pechatnikov — Deputy President – Chairman of the Management Board, VTB Bank
Oleg Skufinskiy — Head, The Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr)
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation
Rumyana Tonchovska — Senior Land Administration Officer-IT, Partnerships, Advocacy and Capacity Development Division, The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (online)

Front row participants:
Nadezda Kamynina — Rector, Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography
Igor Korotetskiy — Partner, Head of Operational Risk and Sustainability, KPMG in the CIS
Alexander Levintal — Managing Director for the Far East, DOM.RF

Tourism is set to become a driver not only of sustainable development but also social stability in the Far East, contributing to an increased quality of life for the region’s residents. Active efforts in federal and regional tourism policy in recent years have included the introduction and operation of advanced special economic zones (ASEZs) and the Free Port of Vladivostok (FPV), the consolidation of joint public–private initiatives and the implementation of tourism projects in the Far East. Clearly, a main issue in terms of attracting investments is reducing the time frame for implementing investment projects, which is a possibility thanks to increased tourist flows and the region’s increased visibility. What are the factors hindering the development of tourism, what needs to be changed and what effective tools exist to support integrated development in tourist areas?

Moderator:
Sergey Bachin — General Director, Vasta Discovery

Panellists:
Pavel Volkov — State Secretary, Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic
Taras Demura — General Director, TUI Russia
Alexander Kozlov — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Elena Lysenkova — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Tourism (Rosturizm)
Dashi Namdakov — Founder, Fund for the Promotion of Culture and Art named after Dashinima Namdakov
Olga Surikova — Director, Tax and legal, KPMG in the CIS
Aleksandr Tertychnyy — General Director, Anterra
Alexey Tsydenov — Head of the Republic of Buryatia

In many regions of the Far East, there is no market for social services, primarily due to low population density, dilapidated or often non-existent infrastructure, and low tariffs that do not allow for immediate improvements in the quality of services. In international practice, so-cial services are provided using extrabudgetary sources and private operators, creating compe-tition in this market and ensuring a higher quality of services. And in this case, the Far East acted as a flagship: in the regions, private operators are already implementing projects using mechanisms to attract private investment. For example, Yakutia launched Russia's first social impact project. Now 4 out of 5 projects are being implemented in the Far East and 3 more are under development. Another area of impact investment is infrastructure investment. Attract-ing private investors to create infrastructure for social services and healthcare will enable the regions, together with a private partner, to solve social problems with less budgetary ex-penditure on its creation. Today, there are already examples of private investors creating and targeting social facilities in major Russian cities, but given the low demand, particularly due to the low population density in the Far East, such private initiatives need government support. What is the vision for the further development of impact investment from the main partici-pants: government and business. What motivation do investors have? What tasks will be solved in the regions using this mechanism? What areas of social services need to be devel-oped? How will private investments and the competences of non-governmental organizations influence the improvement of the quality of services provided to the population? What needs to be done in order to achieve growth of impact investment in Russia?

Moderator:
Oksana Kosachenko — President, Sistema Charitable Foundation

Panellists:
Anatoliy Bobrakov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Kirill Bychkov — First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Anton Drozdov — Deputy Chairman, Promsvyazbank
Sin Chih-Hoong — Chairman, Traverse Ltd (online)
Svetlana Yachevskaya — Deputy Chairman, Member of the Board, VEB.RF

Front row participants:
Alexey Mavrin — General Director, OPECA
Andrei Modestov — General Director, Medskan Group of Companies

The new normal is erasing all boundaries and today, anybody with a smartphone can become a broadcaster or an opinion leader. Bloggers are turning into journalisms, and traditional media are scrambling to transition into new media organizations in order to retain their audiences. How will the work of journalists be transformed over the near future? How might the behaviour of subscribers of different generations and their information consumption patterns change? Will the transition to omnichannel and convergence strategies help legacy media?

Moderator:
Anton Serikov — Deputy General Director, Russia - the Country of Opportunities

Panellists:
Irina Akopyan — Instagram Blogger (@irina_mamaclub) (online)
Bogdan Bulychev — YouTube and Instagram Blogger; Author, About Travel Channel (@bogdee)
Irina Karikh — Head, TopBLOG
Lyubov Malyarevskaya — Director General, Russian Mediagroup
Vera Podguzova — Senior Vice President, Director of External Relations Directorate, Promsvyazbank
Svetlana Fefilova — Deputy General Director, Gazprom-Media Holding

The modern world is opening up many opportunities for women while posing a huge number of challenges. 21st century women are active participants in all kinds of social and economic processes, while continuing to bear the responsibility of providing a healthy future for their children and, by instilling constructive behavioural patterns, contributing to the health of society at large. How can women look after themselves, their loved ones and their family and raise their children to be healthy while participating in the modern world of multitasking? How can women shoulder the responsibility for building a healthy society? The conditions allowing women ambassadors of a healthy society to interact with each other and support each other should be created both at the state level and in the form of public initiatives, with effective measures put in place to facilitate the strengthening of this alliance. Can the agenda for promoting public health and building a healthy society become a unifying cause for modern women? Are modern women ready to lead the mission of promoting healthy values in society, and are women-led initiatives seeing success and demand in the regions? What tools and resources can help women ambassadors of a healthy society to create communities that will boost and support each other? What are the difficulties associated with supporting interaction between women leaders and the subsequent integration of women-led projects? Are there currently any platforms or other initiatives that can bring women together in the mission to build a healthy society?

Moderator:
Anastasia Stolkova — First Deputy Director for Development, Roscongress Foundation

Panellists:
Elena Aksenova — Director, Research Institute for Healthcare Organization and Medical Management of Moscow Healthcare Department (online)
Maria Afonina — Vice-rector for Educational Activities, "Senezh" Management Workshop
Oksana Drapkina — Director, National Medical Research Center for Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (online)
Elena Zhidkova — Head, Central Healthcare Directorate, Russian Railways
Galina Karelova — Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (online)
Saniyam Koval — President, Podari Solnechny Svet Charitable Foundation
Olga Postnikova — Chief Executive Officer, Dobroe Delo Social Care Centre ANPO
Tatyana Yakovleva — First Deputy Head, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of the Russian Federation (online)

Front row participants:
Victoria Madianova — Deputy Director, Higher School of Healthcare Leadership and Management, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (online)
Olga Starikova — Acting Head of National Project Support Division, Natsionalnye Prioritety ANPO (online)

The Russian Far East and Arctic are key regions when it comes to fostering economic relations between Russia and Japan, and serve as an important driver of commerce benefitting both countries. The Far East is a place of regular dialogue, ongoing talks, and cooperation in the social, economic, and cultural sphere. Indeed, it is where Japanese companies are choosing to implement numerous initiatives. The Arctic, meanwhile, is a region possessing great potential for Japan in terms of developing maritime communications, capitalizing on hydrocarbon deposits on the Arctic shelf, increasing offshore operations, and preserving and cultivating marine bioresources. Relations between the Russian Far East and Japan enjoy a special status of sorts, and the objective of both countries is to move these relations to the next level. Could hydrogen power serve as a major new area of bilateral cooperation in the Russian Far East? What needs to be done to encourage Japanese companies to play a part in Sakhalin Region’s hydrogen cluster? Agricultural products produced in the Russian Far East and exported to Japan have a deserved reputation for quality and environmental friendliness, which explains the high level of demand they enjoy in Japan. What products are of particular interest to Japan? What mechanisms should be employed when launching new export-oriented projects with Japanese involvement in the agricultural sector? What needs to be done to launch a regular container line via the Northern Sea Route? What other objectives and new opportunities exist for Russian-Japanese business ventures in the Far East? What new areas of cooperation could be deemed promising? What aims and objectives do Russian-Japanese business ventures in the Far East have in today’s evolving world?

Moderators:
Masami Iijima — Chairman, Japan Association for Trade with Russia and the NIS (ROTOBO); Counselor, Mitsui & Co. Ltd (online)
Roman Trotsenko — Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, AEON Corporation

Panellists:
Artem Dovlatov — Deputy Chairman, Member of the Management Board, VEB.RF; General Director, VEB.DV
Fumiya Kokubu — Chairman, Japan-Russian Committee for Economic Cooperation, Federation of Economic Organisations Keidanren; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Marubeni Corporation (online)
Sergey Kolesnikov — Co-owner, Managing Partner, TECHNONICOL Group of companies
Tadashi Maeda — Governor, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (online)
Masayuki Sato — Chairman, Representative Director, Chief Executive Officer, JGC Holdings Corporation (online)
Takeshi Hashimoto — President, Representative Director, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd (online)
Aleksey Khachay — General Director, Japanese Project Promotion Vehicle in the Far East
Vadim Shvetsov — General Director, Sollers Group

Front row participants:
Irina Olkhovskaya — Chief Officer for Seaport and Railway Projects, UMMC
Roman Chichkanov — Deputy General Director for Investments, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation

Video address:
Hirosi Kajiyama — Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan
Maksim Reshetnikov — Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation (online)

Youth entrepreneurship is not just a buzzword but the foundation of a country's economic growth. With the support of government and business, young people should be able to influence measures that help them efficiently launch and succeed in business. Is broad involvement of young people in entrepreneurship possible? Can a school entrepreneurship truly succeed and do universities adequately serve as a launching pad for developing entrepreneurial initiatives? What capabilities and approaches does Russia currently lack for developing youth entrepreneurship? Is it possible to create a unified community of young entrepreneurs?

Moderators:
Sofya Makhatadze — Finalist in the All-Russian "Big Change" Сompetition
Mikhail Khomich — Co-founder of the Startup Academy Junior Programme, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO; Deputy Prime Minister, Udmurt Republic

Panellists:
Igor Drozdov — Chairman of the Board, Skolkovo Foundation
Petr Ivanov — Deputy Head, Federal Antimonopoly Service
Anton Kotyakov — Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation
Ksenia Razuvaeva — Head, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)

Front row participants:
Georgy Budnik — Winner of the All-Russian "Big Change" competition
Aleksandr Vaino — Head of Youth Initiatives Center, Agency of Strategic Initiatives (ASI)
Sergey Vishchipanov — General Director, Facultetus
Mikhail Shestakov — Entrepreneur, Participant in the Semi-final of the All-Russian Student Competition "Your Move"
Andrey Shubin — Executive Director, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA
Artur Yusupov — Head, Chairman of the Board, Moi Bizness Association of Entrepreneurship Development Institutes

The Far East is home to exciting IT projects and high-tech startups, and a number of developers from the Far East have already achieved success on global markets. In order to strengthen its export potential, the Far East must secure a fundamental technological advantage by establishing itself as the largest high-tech and IT hub in Russia, focusing on domestic and foreign markets. What unique competencies need to be developed in order to position the Far East at the forefront of global technological development? What systemic measures can help to drive breakthrough growth in high technologies and the IT industry? What is the potential of the Far East in terms of breaking into the high-tech markets of the Asia-Pacific region?

Moderator:
Tagir Aushev — Head of the Laboratory of High Energy Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology

Panellists:
Sergey Batekhin — Chief Executive Officer, Head of the Management Board,
Ivan Kolomoyets — Co-Founder, Uchi.ru (online)
Rustam Milanov — Chief Executive Officer, Visitech
Maxim Parshin — Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation
Ruslan Sarkisov — Chief Executive Officer, Far East High Technologies Fund
Anatoly Semenov — Minister of Innovations, Digital Development and Communication Technologies of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Front row participants:
Yevgeny Virtser — General Director, Key Point
Alexander Drozdov — Director General, Optimizing Technologies
Simon Zagaynov — Chief Executive Officer, ExpoPromoter (Biletum Group) (online)
Aleksei Iuzhakov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Promobot

Moderator:
Sergey Frank — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Sovcomflot

Panellists:
Evgeniy Ambrosov — Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, Director for Marine Operations, Shipping and Logistics, NOVATEK
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem — Group Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, DP World
Evgeniy Ditrikh — Chief Executive Officer, GTLK
Arkady Korostelev — President, Chairman of the Management Board, FESCO
Alexey Likhachev — Director General, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM
Vladimir Panov — Special Representative for the Development of the Arctic, State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM; Deputy Chairman, State Commission for the Development of the Arctic
Reko-Antti Suojanen — Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Aker Arctic Technology
Felix H. Tschudi — Chairman, Tschudi Group
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

The expanse of communities in the Far East has disrupted the existing architectural and spatial models of urban development, and there is a large infrastructure gap and imbalance when it comes to the integrated development of the territories. Large cities are not comfortable places to live and there are significant obstacles when it comes to incorporating new global trends into the existing urban environment. At the same time, current levels of construction in the territories are no longer able to meet the needs of residents.

Moderator:
Valery Limarenko — Governor of Sakhalin Region

Panellists:
Olga Arkhangelskaya — Partner, Head of Real Estate, Hospitality, and Construction Services, Head of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Government, and Public Group in the CIS, EY
Gadzhimagomed Huseynov — First Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Sergey Ivanov — President, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Development-South Construction and Investment Company
Vitaly Mutko — Chief Executive Officer, DOM.RF
Sergey Nosov — Governor of Magadan Region
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation

The changing nature of the global energy market, climate regulation, and the associated structural changes in global energy demand processes are creating new opportunities and risks for all players in the worldwide energy industry. The most crucial aspect is combating climate change. In addition to the climate agenda, the traditional way in which the energy sector operates is also gradually changing along with technological progress. At the threshold of global energy changes, there is an urgent need to keep national economies competitive and accelerate their economic growth through access to energy. In this context, the development of low-carbon energy sources becomes a vital issue. The state's role as a driver of the energy transition should include support for such projects, which means developing a systematic approach in this area and creating conditions for the investment attractiveness of major projects for the development of the electric power complex in the Far East. What are companies' strategies for responding to the increasing importance of the climate agenda? What are the companies' approaches to generation development? What should be the industry policy for the long-term sustainability of gas and electricity supply in the face of ever-increasing demand? What are the prospects for creating a competitive environment in the energy sector in the Far East? What are the opportunities for ergonomic and regulatory involvement of the state in 'new energy' projects and practical public-private partnership tools?

Moderator:
Anton Poriadine — Partner, CIS EY Parthenon Leader, Co-leader of Energy sector in EMEIA, EY

Panellists:
Roman Berdnikov — First Deputy General Director, Member of the Management Board, RusHydro
Kirill Bychkov — First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Vitaly Korolev — Deputy Head, Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation
Chong Soo Park — Chairman, The Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation (online)
Oleg Sirazetdinov — Vice President, Rusatom Overseas

Front row participant:
Aleksey Kaplun — Chief Executive Officer, H2 Clean Energy

The massive scale of climate change crisis has become a frong and center issue of international relations, and reflecting this, the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals call for addressing environmental and social challenges simultaneously. In combating climate change most of the world's major economies are already implementing low-carbon development strategies that involve phasing out hydrocarbons. For Russia, these risks are considerable: the loss of trading markets and the need for substantial investments in restructuring the economy. Restructuring projects could effectively mitigate these risks by enabling Russia's largest companies, which are mainly in the 'grey' industries, to reduce their ecological footprint, and their implementation could be accompanied by positive social effects, such as good health and wellbeing. A significant change in national regulation would encourage the development of restructuring projects, but would international investors be interested in financing such retrofits? How is the sustainability agenda driving responsible investment behaivors in major economies? Which international sustainability initiatives will impact Russia the most, and what benefit can be derived? Are Russian managers being ambitious enough in their strategies to remain competitive and create sustainable businesses? Financing sustainable development: needs and sources. How much will the industrial transformation be financed and what is the role of government, companies, and Russian banks?

Moderator:
Natalya Tretyak — First Vice President, Gazprombank

Panellists:
Vyacheslav Alenkov — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Sakhalin Region
Arkady Dvorkovich — Chairman, Skolkovo Foundation
Pavel Lyakhovich — Member of the Management Board, Managing Director, SIBUR LLC
Leslie Maasdorp — Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, New Development Bank (online)
Dmitry Pristanskov — State Secretary – Vice-President, Norilsk Nickel
Ilya Torosov — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Grace Hui — Head of Green and Sustainable Finance, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) (online)

Front row participant:
Andrey Bayda — Vice President for Sustainable Development, VEB.RF

Modern and accessible infrastructure helps to increase a region’s investment attractiveness, contributing to its economic potential and development. At the same time, looking at the largest projects allows us to consider the inverse relationship. Projects that act at accelerators of regional development contribute to the creation of associated transport, energy and social infrastructure, making them attractive hubs for economic resources and human capital. Implementing projects on this scale is only possible with the direct involvement and support of federal government. What is the impact of major projects on the regional economy and what is their potential for accelerating regional development? Should the emphasis be on infrastructure to support projects, or projects to spearhead the creation of new infrastructure?

Moderator:
Grigory Berezkin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, ESN Group

Panellists:
Oleg Belozerov — Chief Executive Officer – Chairman of the Executive Board, Russian Railways
Dmitry Govorov — Vice President for Government Relations and Strategic Communications, Russian Copper Company
Mikhail Degtyarev — Acting Governor of Khabarovsky Territory
Valery Kazikayev — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Udokan Copper
Aleksey Kozlov — Member of the Management Board, Managing Director, SIBUR
Oleg Melnikov — Executive Vice President - Head of the Department of Banking Support for Contracts of Gazprombank (Joint-stock Company)
Aleksey Molsky — Deputy Director General for Investment, Capital Construction, and Sales of Services, Rosseti
Ksenia Razuvaeva — Head, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)
Nikolay Sabitov — General Director, Himproekt

The world is undergoing a large-scale ESG transformation, with social and environmental issues coming to the forefront. The number of countries committed to reaching carbon neutrality is growing. ESG funds investing in responsible businesses are on the rise. This translates into both challenges and opportunities for Russia. The energy transition will cause losses for traditional export-oriented industries. At the same time, it will provide opportunities for new industrialization based on green standards, development of new technologies, and social climate improvement. Will we seize this chance? Is Russia prepared for a global ESG transformation?

Moderator:
Alexander Vedyakhin — First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank

Panellists:
Herman Gref — Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Executive Board, Sberbank (online)
Alexander Dyukov — Chairman of the Management Board, Chief Executive Officer, Gazprom Neft
Maksim Reshetnikov — Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation (online)
Stephan Solzhenitsyn — Chief Executive Officer, Siberian Generating Company; Chief Executive Officer, SUEK
Pavel Sorokin — Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation
Anatoliy Chubais — Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for relations with international organizations to achieve sustainable development goals

The Far Eastern Federal District enjoys a leading position in the production of diamond, coal, zinc, copper, lead, tungsten, gold, silver, tin and rare earth metal reserves. Mining companies gain access to long-term reserves of mineral resources by acquiring new licenses, but do not always launch operations in licensed areas immediately. Furthermore, some companies prefer export-oriented projects, meaning that there are a number of extraction sites across the Far Eastern Federal District where almost no deep processing of raw materials with high-tech equipment takes place. The macroregion’s resource potential cannot therefore be fully realized. What methods can be used to boost exploration and promote the introduction of unused extraction licenses into commercial circulation? What adjustments should be made to existing tools in order to support the growth of SMEs? What are the prospects for developing and implementing the ‘declarative principle’ in the Far East? Is a special approach to regulating resource management required in the Far East?

Moderator:
Pavel Grachev — Chief Executive Officer, Polyus

Panellists:
Grigory Vygon — Managing Director, VYGON Consulting
Alexander Kozlov — Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation
Denis Manturov — Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Aysen Nikolaev — Head of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Oleg Novachuk — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mining company Baimskaya
Anna Tsivileva — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kolmar Group

Front row participant:
Oleg Sienko — First Vice President, Russian Copper Company

Russia operates a system of incentives for investors and like all countries is fine-tuning investment mechanisms to adjust to conditions and attract investors to the Far East. State support measures in place in the Far East include advanced special economic zones, a free port and infrastructure support, and are reflected in the implementation of investment projects. In turn, the successful implementation of these projects is a significant factor in the territory’s development. Increasing reliability and confidence in national decision-making and improving its quality has a positive impact on investment attractiveness and international relations. This has a knock-on effect on the development of the regions and their communities, as well as the national economy as a whole. How does national jurisdiction impact macroeconomic development? What support measures should be adopted to support the successful implementation of investment projects in the region? How effective are incentive measures? What should Russian jurisdiction look like in the near future and how can this be achieved?

Moderator:
Vladimir Gruzdev — Chairman of the Board, Association of Lawyers of Russia

Panellists:
Arthur Davtyan — General Prosecutor of the Republic of Armenia
Alexander Kalinin — President, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA
Igor Krasnov — Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation
Alexander Liberov — President, Siemens in Russia
Svetlana Orlova — Auditor of Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation
Kumar Prashant — President, The Bar Association of India
Aleksey Serko — State Secretary, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters
Boris Titov — Presidential Commissioner of the Russian Federation for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights

A customer-centric state based on IT solutions is now a reality. New digital platforms are being launched via the state services web portal and regional management centres are beginning to operate. As a result, the Far East is for the most part no longer being seen as just a vast expanse. People no longer feel as though they are unable to communicate with the state simply by virtue of being in a remote location. Meanwhile, the concept of a centre is fundamentally evolving. A customer-centric state revolves around each individual, rather than their location. The provision of high-quality services and the ability to communicate with the state are key objectives for a modern management system. Digital communications and services are transcending geographic obstacles and enabling isolated regions to develop in a more balanced way.

Moderator:
Alexey Migunov — Co-founder, PrimaMedia

Panellists:
Dmitry Alexeev — General Director, DNS Group LLC
Dmitry Godunov — First Deputy Head, Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation
Kirill Istomin — First Deputy General Director, Dialogue Regions
Vladimir Komlev — Chief Executive Officer, National Payment Card System
Ekaterina Reznikova — Vise President, Member of the Management Board, Head of the Digital Business Unit, MTS Bank
Vladimir Solodov — Governor of Kamchatka Territory

Front row participants:
Anton Gorelkin — Member of the State Duma of the Committee of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications (online)
Elina Sidorenko — General Director, Platform for Working with Entrepreneurs’ Enquiries

The success of strategies to reduce growing mortality rates as well as to manage risk factors for human health is directly dependent on the development of advanced medical technologies. With the use of modern diagnostics that contribute to the early detection of clinically asymptomatic medical conditions, help to assess the risks of hereditary and other diseases, and reduce the risk of medical error, and also as a result of the introduction of digital technologies and high-precision equipment into the medical care system, today we can already talk about the onset of the era of precision and preventive medicine. And thanks to health monitoring and the industry of the Internet of medical things, a new culture of health protection is taking shape in society today as a progressive norm of social behaviour. What prospects exist for introducing innovative diagnostic technologies in the Far East and transferring high technologies from Asia-Pacific countries? How can we ensure the introduction of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and technologies to work with big data into the medical care system in the Far East and make high-tech medicine accessible? What are the Far East’s prospects in terms of creating a regional system of oncological care? How will the development of telemedicine affect the quality of healthcare in the Far East? What infrastructure is needed for the full-scale digitalization of healthcare in the Far East?

Moderator:
Evelina Zakamskaya — Editor-in-Chief, Doctor Channel; Anchor, Russia 24

Panellists:
Timur Akhmerov — General Director, BARS Group
Pierre Morgon — Senior Vice President International Business, CanSio Biologics (online)
Sergei Sidorov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Medscan
Victor Fisenko — First Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation
Alexander Khasin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Centre for Development of Nuclear Medicine of Ulan-Ude
Irina Yarovaya — Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Andrey Bogdanov — Director of Far Eastern Branch, Insurance House VSK
Kirill Kaem — Senior Vice-President for Innovations, Skolkovo Foundation
Boris Polyaev — Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation No. 2, Federal State Budgetary Institution «FCMN» FMBA of Russia
Oleg Teplov — Chief Executive Officer, VEB Ventures
Andrey Shuvalov — Managing Partner, Medicare

Sustainable production and consumption are among the most important elements of a comprehemsive sustainable development system. Without them, we could never talk about the fight against climate change, resource depletion, environmental pollution, poverty, or hunger. The main goal of all sustainable consumption programmes is to improve everyone’s quality of life, and at the same time, this also involves “fulfilling the shared development plans, reducing future economic, environmental, and social costs, increasing economic competitiveness, and reducing poverty”. Responsible consumption is becoming one of the main factors that dictates a consumer’s choice for a particular brand, regardless of age, gender, or status. Today, most Russians not only want to receive a high-quality product that meets their needs, but also the additional social value that stands behind it. Factories must use renewable energy sources and not harm nature, and goods must be safe for humans and the environment, while packaging should be recycled or reused. Buyers increasingly feel compelled to choose and consume goods responsibly. What is the role of science in all of this? How can we be sure that we are ready for responsible consumption and the associated potential costs? How should all the stakeholders in this process collaborate, and who should determine the extent of our responsibility to nature?

Moderator:
Maxim Safonov — Director, Green Capital Alliance; Professor, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)

Panellists:
Alexey Kalitsev — Managing Director, Hyundai Motor CIS
Igor Korytko — Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board, Tube Metallurgical Company (TMK)
Alexander Sergeev — President, Russian Academy of Sciences
Chung Rae Kwon — Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (online)
Alexander Shokhin — President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs

Front row participants:
Andrey Adrianov — Vice-President, Russian Academy of Sciences
Alexander Larin — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Research Design and Survey Institute of Energy and Transport Energotransproekt
Julia Morozova — General Director, Creative Production
Maxim Protasov — Head, Russian Quality System (Roskachestvo)

Non-profit organizations are becoming an important factor in the success of cities and regions, contributing to economic and technological innovations as well as social initiatives. The modern landscape is unimaginable with social platforms, including, the internet and social media, but also crowdfunding, crowdsourcing, and the participation of citizens in the development of territories and socio-cultural design. Very often, social solutions invented and implemented by ordinary citizens become the basis for the most creative entrepreneurial solutions. Cooperation of the state, business, media, non-profit organizations and residents can create a robust ecosystem, and the key priorities of the 'social contract' can be to improved to assure quality of life, attract visitors and create an image of a prestigious workplace for highly skilled guests. Social change dictated by society is a resource that is important to rely on in all regions, including the Far East. How can society be involved in resolving socially important issues? What social development trends are reflected in the practices of non-profit organizations? How do socio-cultural projects change the lives of people in Russian cities and villages?

Moderator:
Anton Dolgov — Executive Director, Presidential Grants Foundation

Panellists:
Roman Karmanov — Chief Executive Officer, Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives
Elena Lysenkova — Deputy Head, Federal Agency for Tourism (Rosturizm)
Ruslan Novikov — General Director, Argumenty I Facty
Fedor Scherbakov — General Director, Lenfilm Film Studio

Front row participants:
Maya Danilova — Minister of Economy, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Tatiana Zarechneva — Project Manager Pacific Russia Food Lab
Saniyam Koval — President, Podari Solnechny Svet Charitable Foundation
Irina Lindberg — Head of Green Economy Development Department, Amur Branch, World Fund Nature
Antonina Priezzheva — Head of HR and Administrative Directorate, Gazprom-Media
Veronika Sipacheva — President, Energy of Participation Fund; Coordination, Association of Youth Governments of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District
Tatiana Tkachenko — Head, Regional Public Organization Primorsky Center of Ukrainian Culture Anatoly Kril «Gorlitsa»

2020 marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and South Korea. A slogan was created for the occasion: “Friendship. Trust. Action”. Today, these three words have become a key motif for the business communities of the two nations to move forward. In recent years, Russia and South Korea have injected life into a number of bilateral projects. The Nine Bridges action plan has been adopted and updated, the Russian-Korean Innovation Centre has opened, and an agreement of intent has been signed on the establishment of a South Korean industrial park in Primorye Territory. However, despite these positive steps, the COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major challenge to mutual trade and investment, with global instability and economic volatility continuing to exert pressure. The pandemic has not only underscored the importance of the action plan to implement the Nine Bridges initiative, it has also highlighted the need to develop it further, find new points of growth, and identify promising areas of cooperation. These include medical technology, information and communications technology, the environment, new materials, energy, and biotechnology. What projects and initiatives could give a qualitative boost to bilateral cooperation in the new reality? What mechanisms should the governments of both countries aim to perfect in order to unlock the potential of trade, economic, and investment-related cooperation, and to bolster ties between Russia and South Korea in the post COVID era?

Moderator:
Sergey Katyrin — President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation

Panellists:
Denis Butsayev — General Director, Russian Environmental Operator Public Law Company
Sam Hyun Ka — Chief Executive Officer, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE)
Jinseop Kim — Senior Vice President, Unico Logistics Co Ltd (online)
Christopher Koo — Chairman, Korea International Trade Association (KITA) (online)
German Maslov — Vice President of Liner and Logistic Division, FESCO
Sunguk Moon — Head of Global Business, KT Corporation
Alexey Rakhmanov — Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, United Shipbuilding Corporation (online)
Elena Kharisova — Vice President for Perspective Projects and New Infrastructure, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU); General Director, Development Fund of the Innovative Research and Technology Center Russky

Video address:
Hong Nam Ki — Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and Finance of the Republic of Korea
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Aviation plays a crucial role in ensuring that each region of the Russian Far East enjoys reliable transport links. This is true of transport within individual regions, the wider region at large as well as between the Far Eastern Federal District and central Russia. In many instances, remote settlements can only be reached via aeroplane or helicopter. At the same time, the population mobility coefficient for the Far Eastern Federal District is half that of the Russian average (0.35 compared to 0.72). Making the Far East more accessible by air would help achieve accelerated socioeconomic development and make the region more attractive to investors. Accordingly, the government is directing a great deal of attention towards achieving this aim. Publicly subsidized airline tickets are available to people officially residing in the Far East, as well as to citizens who are entitled to benefits. Certain routes within the Far Eastern Federal District are similarly being subsidized, and each region within the district is helping to cover expenses borne by airlines providing inter-municipal flights. In addition, work is being done to establish a single airline for the whole of the Far East, and to modernize the airfield network.

Moderator:
Mikhail Kuznetsov — Director, Eastern State Planning Center (FANU Vostokgosplan)

Panellists:
Oleg Bocharov — Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
Evgeniy Ditrikh — Chief Executive Officer, GTLK
Konstantin Sukhorebrik — General Director, Aurora Airlines
Alexey Tsydenov — Head of the Republic of Buryatia
Igor Chalik — Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Ivan Abramov — Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Nikolay Kharitonov — Chairman of the Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Andrey Chikhanchin — Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Commerce and Finance, Aeroflot

Advanced knowledge and high technologies set the agenda when it comes to the development of our modern, connected world. Experience shows that scientific and technological potential is directly proportional to levels of economic development. The most important task for states aiming to achieve a leading position in the global innovation space is the use of intellectual resources and the development of a technology and information base. Science is becoming a key factor in social development, and an awareness of this fact is encouraging countries aiming for technology leadership to attract scientists and experts from other countries and actively build ties with international scientific and educational institutions. The development of science cooperation between states, whether national, regional or at the level of individual organizations, teams and researchers is coming to be determined by the very logic of human development. Integration is a key feature of international scientific and technological cooperation today, providing maximum economic and sociocultural benefits, which would be impossible to achieve if states were to rely purely on their own capabilities. What are the projects linking Europe and Asia? How can Russia’s Far East be integrated into a single scientific and technological Asia-Pacific space? How can we maximize the impact of our joint efforts? What digital, transport and energy technologies should be developed? Will we be able to identify new areas of common interest in the near future?

Moderator:
Maxim Safonov — Director, Green Capital Alliance; Professor, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)

Panellists:
Andrey Klepach — Chief Economist, VEB.RF (online)
Maxim Protasov — Head, Russian Quality System (Roskachestvo)
Dmitriy Pumpyanskiy — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Tube Metallurgical Company (TMK); President, Sinara Group
Alexander Sergeev — President, Russian Academy of Sciences

Front row participants:
Mikhail Grudinin — Head, Centre for Development of the Republic of Altai
Aleksey Kaplun — Chief Executive Officer, H2 Clean Energy
Vladimir Nelyub — Director, Center for National Technology Initiative, Bauman Moscow State Technical University
Ruslan Novikov — General Director, Argumenty I Facty

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent incidents in the Suez Canal have led to a rethink of traditional routes for transporting goods from Asia-Pacific countries to Europe and back. Even with long-term contracts for transportation through the Suez Canal, cargo owners have been forced to diversify flows and look for alternative routes, including through the Far East of Russia. In addition, deep sea freight rates have increased by almost eight times over the past year, which provides the Russian Far East with additional competitive advantages as a new logistics hub. In 2021, freight traffic through the Far East increased by 20% compared with 2020. It is clear that with the growing volume of traffic through Russia, the Northern Sea Route also has an even greater chance of becoming a full-fledged alternative to the Suez Canal. How significant are infrastructural insufficiencies on routes through Russian territory from the Asia-Pacific region to Europe now? What is the future of international transport corridors and how should we coordinate the development of their infrastructure and their operation while taking into account the interests of all member states? Will the NSR be able to ease the burden on routes through the Russian Far East despite the limited infrastructure? What projects are being implemented today to attract container traffic to the NSR? What measures to support railway operators and what technological solutions will optimize cargo clearance procedures and reduce delivery time from the Asia-Pacific countries to Europe and via routes through Russia?

Moderator:
Alexandra Suvorova — Anchor, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem — Group Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, DP World
Kirill Bogdanov — Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation
Gadzhimagomed Huseynov — First Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Ruslan Davydov — First Deputy Head, Federal Customs Service of Russia
Sergei Ivanov — Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport
Zsolt Katona — Managing Director of Maersk Eastern Europe (online)
Kirill Komarov — First Deputy General Director, Director of the Development and International Business Unit, ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation
Dmitry Konov — Chairman of the Management Board, SIBUR Holding
Andrey Severilov — Chairman of the Board, Far-Eastern Shipping Company
Yi Zhang — General Manager, Liaoning Port Group (online)
Aleksey Shilo — Deputy Managing Director, Head, Centre for Corporate Transport Services (CFTO), Russian Railways

Achieving national development goals requires a comprehensive approach to and the implementation of large-scale public projects, including those related to the country's infrastructure development. One solution is to create a network of modern university campuses that meet international standards for building university in-frastructure. International experience of developing university campuses demonstrates their essential role and significance in addressing not only the educational and research tasks of universities but also in creating a favourable environment for stimulating innovation and entrepreneurial activity and the social development of individual districts and cities. Today, the campuses of the world's leading universities are centres of business and cultural activity in cities and regions. A modern campus strengthens the university brand in the interna-tional higher education market. It also ensures its global competitiveness, thus forming conditions for the de-velopment of science and technology, advanced economic growth, and the country's reputation as a comforta-ble and safe place for international students and researchers. This objective is being developed through a pro-ject to create a network of modern university campuses. Russian Government Decree No 1268, dated 28.07.2021, established the primary conditions for implementing the above-mentioned project. The creation of campuses will not only help to improve the quality of education but will also lead to scientific break-throughs as part of the interaction between leading Russian and foreign scientists, and will boost the devel-opment of the surrounding areas by integrating the campuses into the overall urban infrastructure, which will allow them to become a driver of economic growth of the metropolitan area.

Moderator:
Evgeniy Szhenov — Scientific Director, Expert-Analytical Center "Scientific And Educational Policy"

Panellists:
Mikhail Alashkevich — Managing Director, VEB.RF
Nikita Anisimov — Rector, National Research University Higher School of Economics
Mikhail Degtyarev — Acting Governor of Khabarovsky Territory
Valery Falkov — Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
Alexey Chichkanov — First Vice President, Gazprombank

Front row participants:
Maksim Vedyashkin — Vice Rector for Campus Management, Far Eastern Federal University
Andrey Kiselev — First Deputy General Director, VTB Infrastructure Holding
Nikolay Stetsko — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Primorsky Krai

The COVID-19 pandemic is the first major biosecurity challenge of its type in human history. Rapidly engulfing virtually every country in the world, the pandemic revealed, in many cases, a lack of preparedness to respond swiftly to such threats. It has created a “new normal” and has provided an impetus for states to build their capacity to combat pandemics and conduct extensive scientific research. In order to combat new threats, new approaches to future biological challenges must be developed at national, regional and global levels. Based on its long-standing experience in infection prevention and control, Russia has begun to develop a so-called “sanitary shield” - a modern, pro-active system for forecasting, early detection and response to pandemics. Significant reforms to pandemic response systems are being made globally and regionally, including in APAC. What new elements must be part of a global and regional strategy to combat pandemics? Can new genetic, digital, and communication technologies help avoid new pandemics, and what are the social, economic and technological determinants of pandemic risk in Asia and the Pacific? What will ensure pandemic preparedness and response in Asia and the Pacific, and can a regional health shield be put in place? Has the role and involvement of business changed in the fight against pandemics?

Moderator:
Alexey Bobrovsky — Head of the Economic Programme, Russia 24 TV Channel

Panellists:
Sergey Balakhonov — Director, Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute of Siberia and the Far East
Zarina Doguzova — Head, Russian Federal Agency for Tourism
Shao Yiming — Director of Virology and Immunology Division, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (online)
Oleg Matytsin — Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation
Dorit Nitzan — Regional Emergency Director for the European Region, Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization (online)
Anna Popova — Head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing - Chief State Sanitary Physician of the Russian Federation
Dang Hong Trien — Co-Director General, Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center (online)

Front row participants:
Lilia Ovcharova — Vice Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics
Mikhail Shchelkanov — Director, Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology named after G.P. Somov

There is huge demand for infrastructure in the Far East, and every major project typically requires a road or rail link, gas and electricity supply, water and wastewater treatment facilities. Social infrastructure that can meet people’s needs must also be created in the future centres of economic growth where thousands of new jobs are expected to be created. It is impossible, in a time of budget constraints, to provide simultaneous state support for all projects being implemented, while no business is capable of building all the necessary infrastructure at its own expense. The Far Eastern concession was launched to reduce the infrastructure burden, providing investors with compensation for any infrastructure costs incurred over 10–20 years after commissioning new projects in accordance with the terms of the concession agreement. Why is this mechanism needed in the Far East today? Can the Far Eastern concession solve the problem of building a new infrastructure for the region, and are investors and banks willing to use this mechanism to build infrastructure? What does an investment accelerator mean in the context of the Far Eastern concession?

Moderator:
Alexander Dolgov — Managing Partner, Head of Infrastructure & PPP Practice in Russia and CIS, Central Asia and Caucasus, Squire Patton Boggs

Panellists:
Anatoliy Bobrakov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Vitaly Korolev — Deputy Head, Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation
Yuriy Korsun — Deputy Chairman, Member of the Management Board, VEB.RF
Oleg Pankratov — Chief Executive Officer, VTB Infrastructure Holding
Dmitry Pronchatov — Chairman of the Board of Directors, National Transport Concessions (VIS Group)
Mikhail Chachin — Vice President, Sberbank

Front row participants:
Roman Berdnikov — First Deputy General Director, Member of the Management Board, RusHydro
Ivan Grigorovich — General Director, RZD Invest
Oleg Novachuk — Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mining company Baimskaya

Climate change is a critical topic of discussion at leading global forums and conferences. The green transformation is impacting the global economy and social interactions, and the climate agenda is becoming a key part of the sustainable development paradigm in an era of ESG transformation. Measures aimed at regulating greenhouse gas emissions are having an economic impact on businesses. What’s more, climate protection initiatives continue to be expanded at a national, international, industry and corporate level. Steps are also being taken in Russia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An experiment in Sakhalin to set up an emissions trading system is getting under way, an initiative to establish a carbon-neutral region in Murmansk Region has begun, and experimental carbon control regions and farms are being created as part of efforts to study climatic effects. The time has come to harmonize Russian and international methodologies for calculating carbon footprints and to create a legal framework for the green economy. What risks and opportunities are associated with implementing climate initiatives at a corporate, industry, national and international level? Given that transnational carbon regulation is a new economic reality for exporters, what adaptation strategies should be introduced? Are climate initiatives effective at achieving de-carbonization? What strategies should be adopted in order to introduce modern low-carbon and carbon-free technologies? What measures could be put in place to ensure that Russian businesses lead the way in carbon and green initiatives (such as preferences, subsidies, or other incentives)?

Moderator:
Ivan Lobanov — Rector, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics

Panellists:
Andrey Bayda — Vice President for Sustainable Development, VEB.RF
Sergey Machekhin — Deputy General Director Project Engineering and International Cooperation, RusHydro
Roman Panov — First Vice President, Gazprombank
Pavel Snikkars — Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation (online)
Ilya Torosov — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
Antti Helantera — Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Finland in the Russian Federation
Oleg Khorokhordin — Head of the Altai Republic
Yuliya Shabala — Deputy Director General for Sustainable Development and Corporate Affairs, Udokan Copper
Alexander Shokhin — President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs
Mikhail Yulkin — General Director, CarbonLab (online)

Front row participants:
Andrey Grachev — Vice President for Federal and Regional Programs, Norilsk Nickel
Yuriy Korotaev — General Director, Duracell Russia
Ekaterina Salugina-Sorokovaya — General Director, International and Comparative Law Research Center (online)
Viacheslav Spirenkov — Deputy Head, Federal Forestry Agency
Ernesto Ferlenghi — Chairman of the Energy Committee, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Green Initiative Project, Association of European Businesses (online)

As the sector continues to grow, questions are inevitably being posed regarding the monopolization of digital markets by global tech giants, and whether these companies are fully adhering to local laws. What can be done to help international tech giants abide by local legislation? How will Russia’s “grounding law” affect the IT market? What can a country do to protect its citizens? Should Russian or Californian laws be applied to counter cyber threats? What can be done to rapidly identify and rectify misleading information? How are cyber threats affecting levels of trust among the public, and who is responsible for this? What changes will occur with the signing of a memorandum on countering misleading information by members of the IT industry?

Moderator:
Dmitry Gornostayev — Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Rossiya Segodnya

Panellists:
Vadim Glushchenko — Director, Center for Global IT-Cooperation
Anton Gorelkin — Member of the State Duma of the Committee of the Council of the Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications (online)
Petr Ivanov — Deputy Head, Federal Antimonopoly Service
Kirill Istomin — First Deputy General Director, Dialogue Regions
Wai Min Kwok — Senior Governance and Public Administration Officer of Economic and Social Affairs Department, United Nations (online)
Maxim Parshin — Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation

Front row participants:
Peter Gorodov — Deputy Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation
Elena Udalova — Head of Sociology Department, ANO Dialogue

A modern approach to climate problems requires a new societal culture and inter-industry cooperation. Fostering an ecological norm in society is a task that needs to be addressed by combining the competences of the regions, large industrial enterprises and creative industries. Extended producer responsibility mechanisms, which were established in connection with the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy, are now in place in Russia. Pilot projects to achieve carbon neutrality are being launched in the regions and large industrial enterprises are approving programmes aimed at reducing their environmental footprints. Representatives of the creative industries offer their views on the creation of a mass culture of green consumption. What is being done at different levels to preserve the environment? How does "trash" reform affect companies and people's lives in general? How can the music industry draw the attention of the general public to environmental issues in our country? What can each of us do today and how can we get more people involved in environmental programmes?

Moderator:
Dmitry Mednikov — Managing Director, Russian Media Group

Panellists:
Marina Balabanova — Vice President for Corporate Affairs in Russia and the CIS, PepsiCo
Vyacheslav Butusov — Rock Musician, Writer, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation
Denis Butsayev — General Director, Russian Environmental Operator Public Law Company
Roman Karmanov — Chief Executive Officer, Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives
Aleksey Kozlov — Member of the Management Board, Managing Director, SIBUR
Julia Morozova — General Director, Creative Production

Russia’s national jurisdiction grants a number of benefits to entrepreneurs that wish to work in the Russian Federation. This includes, first and foremost, territories with preferential economic policies that can be found all across the country. They represent an effective development tool aimed at international competition and economic integration. During the pandemic, the country’s leadership took unprecedented measures for the protection of entrepreneurs, including tax breaks, deadline extensions for permit renewals, and a moratorium on inspections of economic entities. Prosecutors, in turn, carefully monitor the implementation of stable environments for investment activities in places guaranteed by the government, stave off any potential sticking points in various fields of government and business relations, offer access to public services online in a supervisory capacity, financial and material help, and help to ensure that infrastructure objects are connected to engineering networks in a timely fashion. They keep a close eye on issues regarding the correction of customs values of transported goods, electronic declarations, provision of government assistance to regional airlines, protection of the rights of longshoremen at Far Eastern seaports, including those at Nakhodka and Vladivostok. What are the necessary steps for improving Russia’s business environment, in particular that of the Far East? What is the role of the prosecution in the new control-surveillance system? What benefits can businesses expect from oversight digitalization? What problems do international trade participants encounter?

Moderator:
Alexander Kalinin — President, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Panellists:
Dmitry Danilov — Head of the Department of Supervision over Execution of Federal Legislation, The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Ivin — Deputy Head, Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation
Elina Sidorenko — General Director, Platform for Working with Entrepreneurs’ Enquiries
Boris Titov — Presidential Commissioner of the Russian Federation for the Protection of Entrepreneurs’ Rights
Alexey Khersontsev — State Secretary — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation (online)
Marat Shamyunov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Front row participant:
Alexis Rodzianko — President, American Chamber of Commerce in Russia

According to Art Market Report, the Chinese market is now the third-largest after the US and Britain. Russia's geographical location gives the country the opportunity to spread its sphere of influence in the art industry in both European and Asian markets. At the same time, the contemporary Russian art industry is virtually absent from the global market and its international reach is mainly concentrated in the Europe. What is the role of culture in establishing cooperation between Russia and Asia-Pacific countries, and what are the prospects for deepening cooperation in the arts sector? What kind of infrastructure is needed to strengthen strategic?

Moderator:
Elena Zelentsova — Head of the Department of Territorial Development, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA)

Panellists:
Ilya Butusov — Chairman, Primorsky Branch of the Union of Artists of Russia
Vera Glazkova — Director, Gallery «Arka»
Yulia Klimko — Director, Enso Foundation for Cultural Initiatives
Sheyvin S'ng — Founder, Vin Gallery (online)
Zelfira Tregulova — General Director, The State Tretyakov Gallery
Corey Andrew Bar — Director, Art Central Hong Kong (online)

Address by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin
Address by President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Address by President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh

Video addresses:
Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India
Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand

Moderator:
Sergey Brilev, Anchor, Russia TV Channel

The development of cultural projects in the macro-region is a vital component of the national programme for the socio-economic development of the Far East. Culturally developed regions are more attractive to live in, because satisfying people's socio-cultural needs, their spiritual and cultural demands, and the availability of a large variety of high-quality cultural products are largely determining factors in the quality of life. How can conditions be created for the development of culture, leisure diversity and cultural exchange with Asia-Pacific countries in the Far East? How can cultural institutions and global cultural projects lead to an improved quality of life and have an impact on the region's economy?

Moderator:
Roman Karmanov — Chief Executive Officer, Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives

Panellists:
Eldar Aliev — Chief choreographer of the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theater
Yulia Klimko — Director, Enso Foundation for Cultural Initiatives
Maxim Kosenko — General Director, Youth House (Komsomolsk-on-Amur)
Larisa Kotreleva — Director of the Branch of the State Tretyakov Gallery in Vladivostok
Alla Smorodinova — Vice-Rector for International Relations, Innovation and Additional Education, Far Eastern State Institute of Arts

Front row participant:
Elena Bronnikova — Minister of Culture of the Primorsky Territory

The Great Eurasian Partnership is taking shape right before our eyes in the form of integration processes, the creation of new free trade zones, growth in the scale of e-commerce, the efforts of various countries to improve transport infrastructure, and the development of the digital economy. At the same time, many obstacles remain on the path to creating a seamless space of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation: from uncoordinated national development strategies and inconsistencies in technical standards to a lack of information and trust. Today, everyone seems interested in how to achieve the earliest possible economic recovery on a trajectory of sustainable growth, revive value chains that have been disrupted by the pandemic and create new ones, strengthen the connectivity of infrastructure, and, in doing so, create conditions for the transition to a new technological order, which signifies a fairer socioeconomic order and more prosperity. The initiative to create the Greater Eurasian Partnership, which was put forward by Russian President Vladimir Putin and supported by all the states of the Eurasian Economic Union, aims to ensure economic stability, encourage the trend of unification, and solve existing problems. EAEU members believe all states on the continent will benefit from membership, including ordinary people. Can transport and economic corridors become the backbone of Greater Eurasia? Is the prospect of creating a Greater Eurasian Energy Space realistic? How will the processes of trade liberalization develop in Eurasia, and is it possible to create a continental free trade zone? What does the future of the financial dimension of Greater Eurasia look like? How essential is de-dollarization to the concept or are there other forms of regional financial cooperation? How might digital platforms help forge links amongst national economies and build common development strategies? Finally, how can business gain from the creation of the Greater Eurasian Partnership?

Moderator:
Kirill Barskiy — Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Panellists:
Glenn Diesen — Professor, School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) (online)
Alexey Maslov — Acting Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (online)
Mher Sahakyan — Director, China-Eurasia Council for Political and Strategic Research (CECPSR)
Samnang Tean — President, National Institute of Diplomacy and International Relation (NIDIR) of the Kingdom of Cambodia (online)
Sun Zhuangzhi — Director, Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (online)
Zarema Shaukenova — Director, Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (online)
Tadzio Schilling — Chief Executive Officer, Association of European Businesses

Video address:
Sergei Glazyev — Member of the Board, Minister in Charge of Integration and Macroeconomics, Eurasian Economic Commission
Vladimir Norov — Secretary General, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Mikhail Fradkov — Director, Russian Institute for Strategic Studies

As the global working environment is becoming increasingly competitive, interconnected, and the economies all around the world are impacted by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there is a need to improve the skills of the population to meet the demands of the future labor market. In the meantime, the epidemiological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have challenged higher education institutions in Asia-Pacific and Africa to provide equitable access to quality education, while also continuing the learning process vital for sustainable development. Considered the fastest-growing regions in the world, APEC economies and Africa together have tremendous potential to achieve common goals. Cooperation between African and APEC economies in terms of education is crucial to ensure a worthy response to emerging challenges.
Participants of this session are invited to discuss ways to strengthen APEC-Africa cooperation by fostering academic exchanges, pedagogical practices, and identifying strategies to improve educational outcomes.
Key topics:
• The specifics of higher education: APEC and African perspectives;
• Financing educational projects and attracting investments in higher education;
• Facilitating international exchanges, academic mobility, and cross-border education;
• Exchanging pedagogical practices and assisting in developing teachers’ professional capacities;
• Competencies vital to professionals in Asia-Pacific and Africa;
• STEM education as an instrument of inclusiveness.

Moderator:
Nataliya Zaiser — Chair of the Board, Africa Business Initiative Union (online)

The Far East and the Arctic are unique in terms of their potential, geopolitical location, climate, economy as well as the major challenges that this region poses. Strong-minded people who are ready to perform feats live and work here. A managerial feat is performed every day in the civil service in the Far East and the Arctic with difficult decisions being made and people combatting the elements and developing the territory. But meeting the challenges the region faces requires more people who are able to take responsibility, have a strong spirit, and are ready to achieve their goals. However, sometimes courage and perseverance are not enough. Such people need to have special skillsets, a broad outlook, and experience working at different levels of government. There are not enough of such people. How can they be recruited? How can they be nurtured and educated? What successful practices is Russia already armed with, and what promising tools should be introduced in the region in the very near future?

Moderator:
Andrey Sharonov — President, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO

Panellists:
Alexey Koshel — Acting Rector, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU)
Aysen Nikolaev — Head of Sakha Republic (Yakutia)
Igor Nosov — General Director, Far East and Arctic Development Corporation
Victor Sidnev — President, Union for Russian Science Cities Development
Oleg Skufinskiy — Head, The Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr)
Vladimir Solodov — Governor of Kamchatka Territory
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Front row participants:
Evgeny Grigoriev — Head of Yakutsk Urban Distrikt
Sergey Dmitrienko — First Deputy Head of the City of Vladivostok
Nikolay Stetsko — Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Primorsky Krai

For entrepreneurs and those who want to scale up their businesses, thinking about new sales markets are a constant priority. New opportunities are opening up both in Russia and abroad, and the export of goods and services is a key area for the Russian economy. Entrepreneurs should first consider and anaylze which region of the world they are willing and able to supply their goods and services to. The International Cooperation and Exports national project is one of a number of key projects aiming to develop the export potential of Russian producers, and the development of new export-oriented projects is an area attracting significant attention. This session will look at a number of international markets and present successful export case studies. The key question that participants at the session can expect to receive answers to is whether exporting has reached its full potential.

Moderator:
Pavel Dolgov — Vice President, Association of Exporters and Importers

Panellists:
Denis Buzykin — Director of E-Commerce, Far East Macroregion, Russian Post
Natalya Minayeva — Regional Project Director, Russian Export Centre
Nguyen Minh — Director, Representative Office, Moscow Association of Entrepreneurs in Vietnam (online)
Lubarto Sartoyo — Investment Advisor to the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Russian Federation
Valentina Filonenko — Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Khabarovsk Territory

Front row participants:
Tatiana Poltavets — Head of the MBA Export to Asia Program, Academy of Management, Far Eastern Federal University
Maxim Chereshnev — Chairman, Russian Trade and Economy Development Council (online)

"The Far Eastern Hectare" is a unique opportunity for proactive people to realize their dreams in their native land, in the Far East. In 2021, the programme was expanded to include the Arctic. The system of granting free land plots to citizens within a month and, with minimal administrative costs, helps remove administrative barriers and actively involve people in the development of territories. What are the interim results of the programme? What has been achieved? How should the programme be further developed? What government programmes will support the project? What prospects for the development of engineering and transport infrastructure does the project offer?

Moderator:
Mikhail Grudinin — Head, Centre for Development of the Republic of Altai

Panellists:
Natalia Bugaets — Participant of the "Far Eastern Hectare" Program
Kirill Bychkov — First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
Vitaly Lunev — Minister of Property and Land Relations of Primorsky Krai
Vadim Mamontov — General Director, RussiaDiscovery
Elena Martynova — Deputy Head,The Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr)
Nikita Stasishin — Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation
Nikolay Kharitonov — Chairman of the Committee for Regional Policy and Issues of the North and Far East, State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Marat Shamyunov — Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Front row participant:
Elena Andreeva — Participant of the "Far Eastern Hectare" Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the activity of civil society and public institutions in crisis conditions. Public network structures have proven themselves to be quick and effective actors in mobilizing to solve social problems that were exacerbated during the pandemic (volunteer help for the disabled, the elderly, and low-mobile groups of citizens; restructuring the system of long-term care for the elderly in quarantine conditions; public monitoring of human rights in places of detention and neuropsychiatric institutions; volunteer assistance to medical workers and institutions; psychological assistance projects; cultural and educational projects; and the creation of a new culture of tolerance and respect for the rights of people with disabilities). Despite the fact that any pandemic ends sooner or later, the past year has compelled us to talk about a new normal in the way we live in society. The pandemic has irrevocably changed the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world and will continue to do so. The Russian experience has shown how much potential civil society has as a dampening force for the negative social effects of the pandemic. The global trend towards increasing the role of organized and networked civil society structures in the new normal is likely to continue. What regional and national models of interaction between civil society institutions and the state under the new conditions are possible and most preferable?

Moderator:
Elena Topoleva-Soldunova — Member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation; Chairman, Commission for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector and Support of Socially Oriented NPOs; Director, "Agency of Social Information"

Panellists:
Svetlana Bazhenova — General Director, Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization of Additional Professional Education and Consulting Razvitie
Pavel Savchuk — Chairman, Russian Red Cross All-Russian Civic Organization
Moon Sung-Hyun — Chairperson, Economic, Social, and Labor Council, Republic of Korea (online)

Front row participant:
Galina Dzyuba — Chairman of the Board, Sakhalin Center for Housing and Utilities Control; President, Union "Sakhalin Chamber of Commerce and Industry"

The desire to help is inherent in most everyone, and given the intensive workload of residents of large cities, regular volunteering is becoming a familiar means for rechannelling one’s efforts, self-development, and getting more joy out of life. Making recurring payments to foundations, participating in corporate volunteer programmes, taking vacations as a volunteer at major events, and taking part in volunteer projects is becoming the new norm. More than 15 million Russians took part in various volunteer projects in 2020. It is difficult to imagine major sporting events and festivals without the support of volunteers from different age groups. During the pandemic, though, professional volunteering also took on a prominent role, as medical volunteers got involved in providing assistance at COVID hospitals and professional drivers helped out medical workers. Support from corporations has become equally significant with the Help is Nearby project, a platform used to teach digital skills to older people, and so on. What role can corporations and governments play in shaping the volunteer movement? Can certain areas of responsibility and functional responsibilities be assigned to volunteers without them being duplicated by regular workers? What niches are there for volunteering integrators and professionals? What kind of support can a volunteer expect, and are preferences for volunteers fair?

Moderator:
Irina Bova — Psychologist, Entrepreneur, Head of a Training Centre, "BOVACENTRE"

Panellists:
Kristina Bagrova — Founder, Strategy Director, You Social (online)
Tatiana Bocharova — Head of Project "Assistance to Adult Institutions in Moscow", The Hospice Charity Fund "Vera" (online)
Nadezhda Kolodko — Deputy Chairman of the Board, Association of Volunteer Centers
Irina Olkhovskaya — Chief Officer for Seaport and Railway Projects, UMMC
Grigory Sergeev — Head, Search-and-Rescue Volunteer Organization "LizaAlert"; Director, Center for Search of Missing People (online)

Pre-registration is required

The pervasiveness and ubiquity of all digital-related changes have accelerated over the past 20 years and continue to grow exponentially. Digital technology is becoming increasingly intertwined with everyday life: from schooling to political engagement and even financial and health management. Developments in digital technology, and the speed at which they emerge, drive innovation and new applications that touch our lives in different and often profound ways. One of the most noticeable influences of digital technologies is the way they transform people’s communications, providing completely new tools for overcoming physical and bureaucratic obstacles, facilitating economic, socio-cultural, and even academic interactions. Along with the economy and society becoming more digitized, education, being also changed by tech trends, remains the basis for human resource development, equipping people with skills, knowledge, and competencies. Participants are invited to share their unique experience of adjusting educational models to the spreading digitalization.
Key topics:
· Universities as platforms for high-professional 21st century training;
· Change in education models in mechanics brought by digital transformation;
· Challenges and barriers for digital education;
· International opportunities for cooperation;
· Improving educational equity and inclusion with technology.

Moderator:
Ilya Mirin — Deputy Director for Development, Institute of Mathematics and Computer Technology, Far Eastern Federal University

Panellists:
Ilya Volynkin — IT Architecture Development Director, Gazprom-Media Holding (online)
Eric Yen-Liang Lin — Director of Media Education Center, NTUT (online)
Evgeny Kaganer — Dean for Academic Affairs, Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO
Huynh Quyet Thang — President, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (online)
Steven Matainaho — Secretary, Papua New Guinea Department of ICT (online)
Anatoly Nikolaev — Rector, Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University
Sergey Salikhov — First Vice-Rector, National University of Science and Technology (MISiS) (online)
Olga Skorokhodova — Deputy Director for Government Relations, Google Russia (online)
Kaeko Chiba — Associate Professor, Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Akita International University (online)

The development of high technologies is one of the key factors for Russia’s economic growth. The scientific and technological potential of the Far East can be converted to not only accelerate regional development, but also to ensure the sustainable economic growth of the Russian Federation as a whole. The Far East’s biggest advantage is its geopolitical position with access to the rapidly developing Asian markets and the presence of unique natural resources, including rice sea resources, which could become the basis for new large-scale science-intensive industries. The main task facing the Far East today is to form a full-fledged ecosystem to develop high-tech business in order to implement the priorities of the Strategy for the Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation, enhance the investment appeal of research and development, commercialize its results, and provide citizens and legal entities with greater access to promising, commercially attractive scientific and engineering projects. What conditions and tools should be used to boost the competitive potential of the Far East in high technologies? What are the main mechanisms for developing high-tech markets in Russia and integrating them into international markets? What technologies and high-tech products do Far East businesses rely on when entering the markets of the Asia-Pacific region?

Moderator:
Elena Kharisova — Vice President for Perspective Projects and New Infrastructure, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU); General Director, Development Fund of the Innovative Research and Technology Center Russky

Panellists:
Aleksandr Generalov — President, Arnika-Holding
Denis Remenyako — General Director, FC Grand Capital
Ruslan Sarkisov — Chief Executive Officer, Far East High Technologies Fund
Alexey Chekunkov — Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Maksim Chugunov — General Director, Promobot

Front row participants:
Artur Biktimirov — Neurosurgeon of the Medical Center of the Far Eastern Federal University
Georgy Budnik — Co-Director , AXIOM; Director, Community & Education
Chen Herbert — Vice Chairman, International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (online)
Serge Conesa — Chief Executive Officer, Founder, Immersion4
Ilya Pinchevsky — Advisor to the First Vice President, Antey
Igor Semenov — Executive Director, First Ore Mining Company; Chairman of the Board of Directors, ARMZ LLC

International events have long been a tool at the disposal of public policymakers. Participating in these events is a core responsibility of politicians, businesspeople and experts around the world. According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), global market volumes for international business events stand at USD 1 trillion. The restrictions imposed around the world as a result of the pandemic have triggered a search for new ways of holding events. How effective are these new formats? What actual impact are they having on national economies and politics? What will international events look like in the future?

Moderator:
Roman Chukov — Chairman of the Board, Russian Center for the Promotion of International Initiatives; Assistant to Youth Policy Director, Roscongress Foundation

Panellists:
Sagid Zaremukov — Director, Russian Convention Bureau
Gracia Paramitha — Co-Founder, Indonesian Youth Diplomacy
Dmitry Stolkov — Deputy Chief for Special Commissions, Chancellery of the President of the Russian Federation
Alexander Stuglev — Chief Executive Officer, The Roscongress Foundation
Georgy Toloraya — Member of Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 Panel of Experts, UN Security Council

Front row participant:
Evgeny Primakov — Head, Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo)

As APEC economies are getting closely intertwined and overlap with their neighbors, the alignment of integration projects becomes a priority. Fostering synergies between the Greater Eurasian Partnership and APEC can benefit all parties once stronger economic ties get forged. Trade and regional integration in Eurasia will inevitably affect the sphere of education. Thus, cooperation in higher education can become one of the most flexible forms of merging APEC and Greater Eurasia.
The session attendees are to identify the prospects for educational cooperation and future ways of rapprochement.
Key topics:
• Academic mobility, experience sharing, and collaborative projects: identifying points of convergence in higher education;
• Training professionals and improving employability: universities’ outlook;
• Providing technological breakthrough to enhance higher education in Asia-Pacific and Eurasia;
• Aligning educational efforts to foster common markets.

Moderator:
Kirill Barskiy — Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Panellists:
Ganbold Baasanjav — Head of Office, ESCAP Subregional Office for East and North-East Asia (online)
Fedor Voytolovskiy — Director, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO); Corresponding Member, Russian Academy of Sciences (online)
Alexey Maslov — Acting Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (online)
Anastasia Minina — Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Docent, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI"
Vera Skorobogatova — Leading Researcher, Institute for Demographic Research of the Federal Research Sociological Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences

It is hard to imagine many areas of modern life without robotics. Automation, cost cutting, reducing production times, greater quality control – all of this work is being done by robots, which has made it possible to minimize human error, and with each passing year, robotics becomes an increasingly integral part of new sectors of the economy. According to the latest research, the most promising areas for robotics in business today are manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and medicine. However, the emergence of robotic technologies is also giving rise to a range of ethical questions. What will the era of automation look like? What can be done to make interaction between humans and artificial intelligence effective and less? What new opportunities will robotics open up for the public and private sector? What skills do today’s students need to have to build a career in robotics and automation?

Moderator:
Dmitry Zemtsov — Vice Rector for Development, Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU); Head of the National Technology Initiative Working Group for the Development of Supplementary and Non-Formal Education, Kruzhok Movement

Panellists:
Armen Harutyunyan — Director of the Department of Agroindustrial Policy, Eurasian Economic Commission
Andrey Dymchenko — General Director, White Soft
Ekaterina Nekrasova — Partner, Head of Financial Services Regulatory Group, PwC in Russia
Vladimir Rakhteyenko — Chief Executive Officer, Custis; Developer, Modeus Platform for Managing Individual Educational Paths
Robert Urazov — General Director, Professional Skills Development Agency (WorldSkills Russia)

Front row participant:
Elena Boitsova — Director of the Financial Audit Department, Accounts Chamber Russian Federation