The conditions for economic activity across the globe today are highly volatile, unstable, and unpredictable. In such circumstances, it is crucial for Lithuania to invest in security, strengthen capital markets, and create an environment where innovation can grow, while businesses should focus not only on short-term goals but also on resilience and long-term vision.

These ideas were voiced at the traditional Vilnius Conference, held at the Town Hall under this year’s theme “The New World Order” . The event, organized by the Investors’ Forum – an association uniting the largest and most active investors in the Lithuanian economy – brought together more than 200 leaders from business, politics, culture, academia, and technology from Lithuania and abroad.

“We live in a time when old rules no longer work, and new ones are only being written. The insights of speakers and panelists at the Vilnius Conference once again proved that Lithuania must simultaneously look at the economy, security, culture, and technology. Only then can we remain strong in a world where rules are collapsing, and challenges are becoming increasingly complex,” noted Rolandas Valiūnas, Chairman of the Investors’ Forum Board.

The conference featured discussions on the transformation of capital and the future of investment, addressing Lithuania’s role in global supply chains and the need to invest in education and high technologies. Experts emphasized that Lithuania remains attractive to investors due to its speed and flexibility, but the labor market and education system continue to pose the greatest challenges.

Particular attention was given to the crumbling foundations of the global economy. Swedbank Chief Economist Nerijus Mačiulis and Financial Times commentator Chris Giles analyzed the future of globalization, the impact of Donald Trump on democratic institutions, and the challenges facing the European Union. The experts noted that globalization has not ended, but Lithuania cannot rely solely on the domestic market. The country’s path lies in expanding exports and strengthening its engagement with the EU market.

This year, significant attention was also given to culture and historical memory. The recently opened Lost Shtetl Jewish Museum in Šeduva became the focal point of a discussion on shared Lithuanian-Jewish heritage and the importance of education. Director of the National Gallery of Art, Arūnas Gelūnas, stressed that culture provides Lithuania with a unique face on the international stage and is not a luxury, but a competitive advantage that strengthens the country’s reputation, economy, and even security.

For the first time, the conference also focused strongly on the impact of new media on democracy. Communications expert Mykolas Katkus spoke about the short-video revolution, noting that TikTok and other platforms are already reshaping the rules of politics. According to him, a single short video can instantly turn an unknown figure into a political star, but it also brings the threat of disinformation.

Energy security issues were also discussed. Experts from Elektrum Lietuva, LITGRID, and Telia warned that electricity supply disruptions are becoming an increasingly real threat in Europe. Resilience, technological investment, and public engagement were identified as the only way to ensure that unexpected power outages do not trigger cascading consequences.

The Vilnius Conference once again proved that when leaders from diverse fields gather in one space, they can openly discuss geopolitics, economics, culture, and technology, and jointly search for answers on how Lithuania can remain strong in the constantly changing world order.