GOVERNOR’S WELCOME

Taking advantage of the opportunities provided by hybrid conferences, the next session of this unique event series, the Budapest Eurasia Forum 2023 will be held simultaneously in physical and online format this year again. As the saying goes, “every crisis holds opportunities.” If the pandemic has had any beneficial effects, it has made us more determined than ever to find practical ways to boost global connectivity, which is essential for the development of the Eurasia region despite the challenging circumstances. We are pleased to observe that the Budapest Eurasia Forum is reaching more and more people every year as a consequence of our efforts and adaptability. Due to the continuous development of the Forum, I am confident that this autumn’s event will give attendees a platform to discuss the most recent concerns affecting the future of Eurasia.

Just like how the pandemic provided us with opportunity for progress, we must consider climate change and its repercussions as circumstances opening up numerous new opportunities and pathways. We cannot prevent the changes, but we can affect their outcome through adaptation. This year’s topic of the Forum proceeds from the idea that adaptation itself constitutes the transition process, and one of the most fundamental requirements of adaptation is the search for solutions. It is advantageous to realise early on that we can only succeed in drawing benefits and positives from challenges by working together.

This mindset is reflected in the Forum’s title for 2023, “Transitions for Sustainability,” as the event will seek alternatives for carrying out the transition to sustainable development. This year, our distinguished speakers will focus on the issue of what inescapable adjustments are required to achieve sustainability. The Budapest Eurasia Forum 2023 will explore the ways to make the financial system more reliable and effective, the relationships between geopolitics and technology, and the opportunities of technological singularity. Furthermore, our speakers will assess the circumstances for the key economic sectors’ sustainable growth, the significance of international collaboration in the standardisation of ESG principles, and the state of the labour market and education system in relation to upcoming demands. All of these subjects will undoubtedly be investigated with the core issues of sustainability, digitalisation, and green transition in mind.

Innovative minds may wonder what will happen as a following step after adaptation and transition, in the future. From my perspective, the answer is controlling the direction of development and adjusting its pace to our own. An essential requirement for this, in addition to cooperation, is that the discourse be built on inclusivity and knowledge sharing. According to a Chinese proverb: “If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want 100 years of prosperity, grow people.” Accordingly, the Forum’s main objective is to show new perspectives for professionals and more fully integrate them into global discourse in order to lay the groundwork for a sustainable future. I wish everyone stimulating conversations and sincerely hope that the event will continue to have a positive social impact in addition to influencing official channels.

György H MATOLCSY