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

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

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 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

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 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

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»

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)

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)

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