Today, Vilnius played host to over 300 distinguished representatives from the realms of business, politics, the public sector, and academia, who convened for the prestigious international conference, Futurescape 2024. This event aims to offer a comprehensive overview of imminent economic trends, international policy challenges, and advancements in science, industry, investment, and finance.
Organized by the Investors’ Forum—an association representing the most prominent and dynamic investors in the Lithuanian economy—Futurescape 2024 coincides with the Forum’s 25th anniversary. In his opening remarks, Rolandas Valiūnas, Chairman of the Board, highlighted the significance of this year for Lithuania. The nation is commemorating the 20th anniversary of its accession to the European Union and NATO, and will soon celebrate a decade of Eurozone membership. These milestones not only provide an opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments but also to anticipate and prepare for future challenges.
“Over the past quarter-century, Lithuania, along with its society, business, and scientific community, has achieved remarkable breakthroughs in realizing our strategic goals and shaping the future of the Baltic region and Europe. However, the world and the environment in which we live and work are in constant flux. The spectrum of challenges we face in the near future is vast, encompassing global security, local conflicts, societal trends, and technological and scientific advancements. Therefore, in collaboration with leading experts in these fields, we aim to review the most significant trends and provide guidelines for the continued development of our country, region, business, and society,” remarked R. Valiūnas.
The conference commenced with a welcome address by the Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. Richard C. Koo, Chief Economist at Nomura Research Institute (Japan), traveled to Vilnius to share his insights on the challenges of the new economic reality for the world and its economies. Lars Christensen, an economist at Copenhagen Business School, provided an overview of the impact of artificial intelligence on the global economy.
Jean-François Cirelli, Head of Investment Management at BlackRock for France, Belgium, and Luxembourg, shared his perspectives on the future of the financial sector in Vilnius. Meanwhile, William Wells, Senior Adviser at Rothschild & Co, one of the world’s largest investment management firms, discussed developments in defense and security.
The conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management; Elijus Čivilis, Head of Invest Lithuania; Dietmar Hornung, Associate Managing Director of Moody’s Ratings; and Laura Galdikienė, Chief Economist of ConnectPay.
A significant portion of the conference program was dedicated to exploring innovations and trends in life sciences and longevity. Professor Gil Atzmon from the University of Haifa (Israel) delivered a presentation, while Nilesh Mehta, Head of Ophthalmology at Roche Pharmaceuticals, discussed the increasingly pertinent challenges of eye health and its care.
Overall, Futurescape 2024 showcased presentations and panel discussions by approximately 30 experts and authorities from Lithuania and abroad.
The conference was organized by the Investors’ Forum, a business association established in June 1999. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Forum currently boasts nearly 70 members, including many of the largest and most active investors in the Lithuanian economy.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, sponsors, speakers, and all attendees for inspiring us and Lithuania to strive for greater achievements.