On 24 – 25 September 2025, the XIII Annual International Forum “Eurasian Economic Perspective”, dedicated to the 95-th anniversary of St. Petersburg State University of Economics, was held. The event was organized by Saint-Petersburg State University of Economics with the support of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of CIS, Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg and Eurasian Association of Universities.
The topic of the Forum this year was “Greater Eurasia: Developing International Dialogue in Search of New Solutions and Partnerships for the Prosperity of the Region”.
“Today the XIII International Forum “Eurasian Economic Perspective” was opened. The agenda is very intensive, and it coincides with an important event for our university – the 95-th anniversary of UNECON. I would like to emphasize that everything we have been doing together all these years within the framework of the Forum on the development of integration processes in Greater Eurasia is bringing real positive results. Our expert assessments and recommendations, which we send to the governing structures of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of CIS, help remove bureaucratic barriers, develop business, and launch successful projects for the benefit of our countries. In these difficult times, when everything is changing in the world, it is very important that there are groups of international experts who think about the future of the planet, regardless of the geopolitical situation. We can see how our regular meetings within this Forum, within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum, at the sites of the People’s Republic of China and other countries help our countries move forward, develop, solve complex integration issues, establish relationships and look confidently into the future. As economists, we understand that the financial and banking systems of Greater Eurasia are the financial lifeblood of the Economics, it must supply all structures and the entire economic process excellently. Within the framework of BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization, important decisions are being reached, for example, on the creation of a bank and a new payment system. Today we have discussed key issues: logistics and transport corridors that are changing the world; development of export potential; artificial intelligence and its security”, – highlighted Igor Maksimtsev, rector of St. Petersburg State University of Economics.
Russian and foreign experts and researchers, heads and representatives of 12 foreign partner universities of UNECON took part in the Forum.
The Plenary Session “Economic Cooperation in Greater Eurasia: Integration Projects, International Investments and Financial Infrastructure” and three thematic sessions dedicated to strategic issues of modern development of the Eurasian space in the context of multiple external challenges and the development of new projects and partnerships in the macroregion of Greater Eurasia were held as part of the Forum:
Session 1: The Role of International Cooperation of Universities in the Development of Human Capital in the Eurasian Space (“Rectors’ Room”).
Session 2: Interstate Cooperation and Integration Mechanisms in the Eurasian Space.
Session 3: Peculiarities of Regional Development in the Formation of the Greater Eurasia Ecosystem.
Presentations were made by:
• Dmitry Danilenko– Director for Money Market Development, Moscow Exchange
• Dmitry Tikhomirov– Executive Director – Head of Financial Modeling, VEB.RF
• Valentina Bogatyreva– Rector of Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov
• Claudio Ruff– Rector of Bernardo O’Higgins University
• Gulnaz Supaeva– Rector of The Kyrgyz Economic University named after Musa Ryskulbekov
• Obidzhon Hamidov– Rector of Bukhara State University
“In terms of government support instruments for project financing, effective mechanisms are identified. One of the key tools is the interest rate hedging, which allows the companies of initiating projects to fix the cost of a loan for a long period, without depending on fluctuations in the key rate of the Central Bank. Today about 40 large projects worth about 65 billion rubles have been implemented using this tool, which, however, remains unique and requires compliance with strict government requirements. Industry practice and standardization of project financing are also actively developing in Russia. There is a positive trend towards localization of expertise: large companies and banks have developed common templates for financial models that are publicly available. Consulting services previously provided by the Big Four international companies have been successfully replaced by local experts, which indicates the maturity and self-sufficiency of the Russian market in this area”, – reported Dmitry Tikhomirov, Executive Director – Head of Financial Modeling, VEB.RF.
The XIII Annual International Forum “Eurasian Economic Perspective” reaffirms its status as one of the most important expert platforms for developing practical solutions for Eurasian integration in the context of global transformation. The event demonstrates the practical value of expert dialogue, transforming academic discussions into working recommendations for authorities and business. The event is particularly important due to its focus on real mechanisms of Eurasian integration – from the creation of new financial institutions to the development of specific tools to support project financing, which contributes to the formation of sustainable multilateral ties that do not depend on market fluctuations in global politics.