The 2nd Youth Economic Forum of the Union State was officially opened in Minsk

From April 28 to 30, the 2nd Youth Economic Forum of the Union State is being held in Minsk at the Belarusian State Economic University (BSEU). Students from Belarusian and Russian universities are working on cases on integration, economics, and entrepreneurship.

Anatoly Markevich, the Head of the representative office of the Standing Committee of the Union State in Minsk, spoke at the Forum's opening. Before reading a welcome address from State Secretary of the Union State Sergey Glazyev, the Head of the Permanent Committee's office noted that the Union State Youth Forum was being held at the Belarusian State Economic University, the country's center of economic thought.

"I am truly pleased to participate in the 2nd Union State Youth Economic Forum at Belarus's leading university, which has nurtured a generation of skilled managers who are shaping the Union State's economic agenda," said Anatoly Markevich.

He also recalled that, thanks to the closest cooperative ties, even under unprecedented sanctions pressure, the countries united by the Union Treaty have preserved their basic economic sectors, their financial systems remain intact, unemployment is at a minimum, and citizens' incomes and savings are growing.

"The turnover of goods and services in the Union State has reached a record $60 billion," Anatoly Markevich emphasized. "Integration ties are developing: over 600 cooperation agreements are in force between the regions of Belarus and Russia. We have been, are, and will be together. Our union has stood the test of time and is built not only and not primarily on economic calculation, but, as is customary among Slavs, on faith and brotherly love," he concluded.

The welcoming address by the State Secretary of the Union State to the participants, organizers, and guests of the II Youth Economic Forum noted that today, mutually beneficial Belarusian-Russian cooperation contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of both countries.

"In the Union State, it is important to create a unified economic space, develop technological sovereignty, and improve industrial cooperation. However, integration cannot be limited to economics and technology alone," the Union State Secretary noted in his greeting. "The spiritual foundation is of paramount importance: preserving and developing a sphere of values ​​shaped by high culture—classical literature, cinema, fine art, and the creation of modern heroes and role models."

Sergey Glazyev expressed confidence that the exchange of experience and ideas at the Youth Economic Forum will serve as an impetus for the development and expansion of cooperation opportunities within the Union State.

NOTE: The program of the 2nd Union State Youth Economic Forum will be structured around four sections, organized in a team case study format followed by a presentation to experts:

– Economic and Industrial Integration;
– Youth Entrepreneurship;
– Digital Economy and Innovation;
– Foreign Economic Activity and Competitiveness.