4.05.2026

II Youth Economic Forum of the Union State at BSEU

April 28–30, the II Youth Economic Forum of the Union State was held at the Belarusian State Economic University (BSEU), bringing together representatives of leading universities from Belarus and Russia. The initiator of the forum was MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with which BSEU has long-standing friendly scientific ties, successfully implements joint master's degree programs and other educational projects.

The main mission of the forum was to deepen the economic integration of Russia and Belarus by engaging talented youth in solving real industry-specific challenges, as well as to form a holistic understanding among young people of the goals, objectives and potential of the Union State.

The forum opened with a plenary session "Economic Cooperation in the Union State: Challenges and Prospects," moderated by the Vice-Rector for Research of BSEU, Doctor of Economic Sciences Alexey Alexandrovich Bykov. The discussion was attended by: Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in Belarus Yury Anatolyevich Makushin, Director of the Eurasian Studies Institute of MGIMO Tamara Viktorovna Shashikhina, representative of the Permanent Committee of the Union State Anatoly Vyacheslavovich Markevich, Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Denis Igorevich Timokhin, Second Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus Mikhail Alekseevich Sobolev, Deputy Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus Andrey Vladimirovich Khvorov, and Head of the Department of International Business of BSEU Galina Vladimirovna Turban.

On the first day, specialized lectures were organized for the participants. Anatoly Vyacheslavovich Markevich set the ceremonial tone for the program by reading a welcoming address from the State Secretary of the Union State, Sergey Glazyev. The message noted that today's mutually beneficial Belarusian-Russian cooperation makes a significant contribution to the sustainable socio-economic development of both countries. Head of International Programs at the Eurasian Studies Institute of MGIMO Anastasia Kirillovna Makarenko shared best practices in youth entrepreneurship, while Deputy Head of the Exchange Trading Department of JSC "WHITE BIRD" Yan Valentinovich Pinchuk dedicated his speech to trends in the digital economy. A key element of the program was work in four thematic sections: "Economic and Industrial Integration"; "Youth Entrepreneurship"; "Digital Economy and Innovations"; "Foreign Economic Activity and Competitiveness". Participants were required not only to attend lectures but also to develop solutions to complex cases proposed by the forum's partners over two and a half days.

A special event of the second day was an open lecture by the Minister of Communications and Informatization of the Republic of Belarus, Kirill Borisovich Zalessky, on the topic "Digital Sovereignty of Belarus and Russia: A Strategy for Joint Development." Students and young scientists learned first-hand about the key areas of digital development, including: digital sovereignty and the development of IT infrastructure in the countries; prospects for implementing domestic language models in various economic sectors; the development of the High-Tech Park as a key driver of innovation; roaming conditions between Belarus and Russia within the framework of the Union State; and Belarus's capabilities in the field of digital technologies.

In addition, the second day's program was rich in interactive and analytical formats. Participants took part in a business simulation game "Model of the Union State" as well as a business simulation game dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, an extensive excursion program was organized for the forum's guests, including visits to the Minsk City Technopark, the Executive Committee of the CIS, and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus.

The final day of the forum was dedicated to presenting the case solutions to an expert jury. The winners and participants of the forum were awarded diplomas and memorable gifts.

Such events not only strengthen friendship and professional ties among the youth of Belarus and Russia but also lay a solid foundation for the future prosperity of the entire Union State. We wish students of BSEU and MGIMO University of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued success, brilliant achievements, and an unquenchable desire to build a common future!

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