Economic Growth in the Face of Global Challenges – Institutul Național de Cercetări Economice

International Scientific-Practical Conference “Economic Growth in the Face of Global Challenges. Consolidation of National Economies and Reduction of Social Inequalities” XVIIIth edition, October 10-11, 2024

The XVIIIth edition of the International Scientific-Practical Conference “Economic Growth in the Face of Global Challenges: Consolidation of National Economies and Reduction of Social Inequalities” marks both a significant milestone and a rigorous academic event. By bringing together experts from various academic fields, public administration, the business sector, and key stakeholders, the conference serves as a dynamic platform for fostering dialogue and exchanging valuable insights. It focuses on current and pressing issues, promoting a collaborative approach to exploring solutions that aim to consolidate national economies while simultaneously addressing and reducing social inequalities. This holistic perspective is crucial for crafting strategies that are both effective in stimulating economic growth and equitable in their impact.

On October 10, 2024, the opening of the 18th edition of the International Scientific-Practical Conference “Economic Growth in the Face of Global Challenges: Strengthening National Economies and Reducing Social Inequalities” took place. This year, the conference is organized in partnership with the Institute for World Economy of the Romanian Academy and the Research Institute for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development of Romania.

This year, over 150 participants registered for the conference, including approximately 40 participants from Romania, representing various universities and research institutions; 22 participants from Ukraine; 15 from Italy; 8 from Turkey, as well as researchers from Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, the USA, Norway, Poland, and Bulgaria.

In her opening speech, Olga Gagauz, Director of the National Institute for Economic Research (INCE), Habilitated Doctor, and Associate Research Professor, emphasized that the main objective of the conference is to promote scientific excellence, facilitate the dissemination of research results, and strengthen international partnerships. Additionally, it aims to increase institutional visibility, attract young researchers, and integrate research findings across various fields to foster economic growth and social inclusion in line with European trends. Another key goal is to enhance access to European funding, particularly through the Horizon Europe program for research and innovation.

The Rector of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova, Professor and Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, welcomed the participants, highlighting the importance of the conference as an academic platform addressing the most pressing economic and social issues. Additionally, Rector Stratan emphasized that the exchange of experiences and best practices between research institutions contributes not only to improving scientific results but also to creating strong networks of international academic cooperation.

A welcoming speech was also delivered by Professor Vili Dragomir, Director of the Research Institute for Agricultural Economics and Rural Development of Romania, who highly appreciated the collaboration between National Institute for Economic Research and the institute he represents. In his speech, Professor Dragomir underlined the importance of the Romania-Moldova partnership in research, particularly in the context of current global challenges. He noted that through joint efforts, researchers from Romania and Moldova have successfully tackled complex issues related to agricultural economics, rural development, and public policies aimed at reducing regional inequalities.

Another welcome address was given by Habilitated Doctor Liliana Condraticova, Professor and Secretary General of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. In her speech, Dr. Condraticova highlighted the symbolic significance of this edition, noting that reaching the XVIIIth edition means the conference has “come of age,” marking an important milestone in its evolution as an international scientific dialogue platform. She remarked that this maturity is reflected in the depth and relevance of the topics addressed over the years. The conference has become a landmark for the academic and scientific community, contributing to the development and consolidation of a cooperation framework among researchers from different countries and fields. Dr. Condraticova stressed that, in this context, the conference serves as a unique space for generating innovative ideas, disseminating high-quality research, and stimulating interdisciplinary dialogue, which is essential in addressing contemporary economic and social challenges.

After the plenary session, the conference proceedings continued within five thematic sections, each covering key areas of contemporary research and development. The sections addressed a wide range of topics, including: business competitiveness and digital transformation; sustainable agri-food systems and rural development; sustainable financing and the circular economy; well-being and social inclusion; innovative approaches to managing demographic processes.