CIRSD

This is the official account of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD)

[CIRSD @CIRSD]

The inaugural Horizons Forum on Sustainability and Connectivity brought together global leaders, investors, innovators, academics, and decision-makers in Belgrade for two days of high-level dialogue on the defining issues of the next decade.

The Forum opened with remarks by Vuk Jeremić, President of CIRSD, and Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, followed by the presentation of the Sustainability & Connectivity Awards to Zhang Chuanwei and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, who both addressed Forum participants.

The second day featured six high-level panels exploring the global energy transition, the changing geopolitical landscape, the future of ESG, connectivity between Europe, China, and Asia, the rapid development of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and the transformation of the global financial system.

During the Forum, Vuk Jeremić also presented the Sustainability & Connectivity Award to Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, in recognition of her contribution to sustainable mobility, technological innovation, and global connectivity.

Across two days, the Horizons Forum created a platform for meaningful dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and new partnerships connecting people, institutions, businesses, and regions.

Thank you to all our speakers, participants, partners, guests, and everyone who contributed to making the first Horizons Forum a success.

[CIRSD @CIRSD]

Just one more day until Horizons Forum 2026 kicks off!

On 18 and 19 June, Belgrade and the Sava Center will bring together global leaders, investors, companies, institutions, technological innovators, and experts for an international forum dedicated to the issues shaping the future of the economy, technology, and global cooperation.

Sustainability. Capital. Infrastructure. Energy. Artificial Intelligence. Finance. Geopolitics. Connecting Europe, China, and Asia.

At a time when these topics are defining the future of countries, companies, and regions, Horizons Forum provides a platform for dialogue, investment, and partnerships.

See you tomorrow at the Sava Center!

[CIRSD @CIRSD]

The Future of Finance: From Greenback to Algorithm will be held on June 19.

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The financial system is undergoing one of the most profound transformations in recent generations. Central bank digital currencies, stablecoins, tokenized assets, decentralized finance, and algorithmic trading are changing capital flows, business models, monetary policy, and the traditional role of banks.

How will these changes shape the global economy of the 21st century?

The answers to this question will be given by:

• Kevin Lu, Chairman of the Asia Committee at Milken Institute and member of the Global Executive Board of Partners Group

• Eric Lee, Chairman of Chengwei Capital and Founder of the Beijing Club for International Dialogue

• Calvin Cheng, Chairman of Paymonade and former Member of Parliament for Singapore

• Aleksandar Bogdanovic, Chairman of the Executive Committee Yettel Bank

Panel moderator: Zoran Stanojevic, RTS journalist

The Future of Finance: From Greenback to Algorithm will be held on June 19.

Registration: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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Brave New World: The Silicon Quickening will be held on June 19.

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Artificial intelligence, advanced semiconductors, and quantum computing are evolving faster than societies, markets, and regulators can understand their implications.

How will new technologies change the labor market, the global economy, and the way we make decisions? Who's going to set the rules for the technologies that will increasingly shape the rules of the world?

The economic, social and ethical issues of technological acceleration will be discussed by:

• Kai-Fu Lee , CEO of 01. AI and President of Sinovation Ventures

• Silvana Koch-Mehrin , president and founder of Women Political Leaders (WPL) , professor at Sciences Po Paris, and former vice president of European Parliament

• David Gorodyansky, Founder and Chairman of TheDiplomat. AI

• Bruno Maçães, former Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs and author of World Builders

• Alex Ye, General Manager of AGIBOT

Panel moderator: Marko Cadez, President of the Privredna komora Srbije | Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia .

Brave New World: The Silicon Quickening will be held on June 19.

Registration: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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The panel Eurasia Connectivity: The Marvels of the Future World will take place on June 19. At the beginning of the session, Stella Li will be presented with the Sustainability & Connectivity Award.

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Connectivity is no longer just a matter of infrastructure. It is becoming the foundation of a new economy, diplomacy, and competitive advantage. From the Belt and Road Initiative to trade corridors, energy networks, and digital pathways, major infrastructure and technological projects are reshaping the economic map of Eurasia.

What will the future of connectivity between Europe, China, and Asia look like, and what role will cross-border partnerships, investments, mobility, and digital infrastructure play in shaping it?

These topics will be discussed by:

• Stella Li , Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO for the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa

• Jovanka Porsche, Founder and Chairwoman of Global Neighbours

• Teresa Cheng, Secretary-General of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed)

• Patrick Zhong, Chairman of M31 Capital

Panel Moderator: Han Hua, Co-Founder and Secretary-General of the Beijing Club for International Dialogue.

The panel Eurasia Connectivity: The Marvels of the Future World will take place on June 19. At the beginning of the session, Stella Li will be presented with the Sustainability & Connectivity Award.

Registration: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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[CIRSD @CIRSD]

There are only a few days left until Horizons Forum 2026, an international event that will bring together global leaders, investors, companies, institutions, technological innovators and experts in Belgrade.

In two days, 18th and 19. In June, the Forum will open discussions on sustainability, capital, infrastructure, energy, artificial intelligence, the future of finance and new models of connecting Europe, China and Asia.

Join world’s leading experts, decision-makers and business leaders and be part of the event that connects Europe, China and Asia in Belgrade.

Participation is free, with compulsory registration. Due to the high profile of the event and limited capacity, all applications are subject to confirmation by the organizers.

Register: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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The panel “The Green (R)evolution: Powering Tomorrow” will take place on June 19.

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The energy transition is no longer a distant ambition. It is already underway — a demanding and capital-intensive transformation that encompasses renewable energy sources, nuclear power, hydrogen, grid modernization, and new investment models.

How can climate goals be aligned with energy security? Which technologies will lead the transition? And how can economic competitiveness be maintained in a world undergoing profound energy changes?

The discussion will feature:

• Jeffrey Sachs, world-renowned economist and expert in sustainable development

• Zhang Chuanwei, Chairman of Ming Yang Smart Energy, one of the world’s leading wind turbine manufacturers

• Zhang Weiwei, Professor of International Relations at Fudan University and Director of the China Institute

• Dmitry Gusev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of WARMICO

Moderator: Vuk Jeremić, President of CIRSD and Editor-in-Chief of The Horizons

The panel “The Green (R)evolution: Powering Tomorrow” will take place on June 19.

Registration: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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#HorizonsForum #Belgrade #Sustainability #Connectivity #TheFutureMeetsInBelgrade

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This June, Belgrade will bring together international voices shaping the conversation on finance, global politics, investment, mediation, diplomacy, and connectivity between Europe, China, and Asia.

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[CIRSD @CIRSD]

This June, Belgrade will bring together international voices shaping the conversation on finance, global politics, investment, mediation, diplomacy, and connectivity between Europe, China, and Asia.

The Horizons Sustainability & Connectivity Forum will also feature:

- Kevin Lu, Chairman of the Asia Committee at @MilkenInstitute nd member of the Global Executive Board of @partnersgroup

- Jovanka Porsche , Founder and Chairwoman of Global Neighbours

- Lars-Hendrik Röller , Founder and Chairman of @Bgdialogue and former Chief Economic Advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel

- Teresa Cheng, Secretary-General of the International Mediations Organisation

- Eric Li, Chairman of Chengwei Capital and Founder of the Beijing Club for International Dialogue

- Zhang Weiwei, Professor of International Relations at @FudanUniversity and Director of the China Institute

- @HuiyaoWang , Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization

The Horizons Forum will take place on June 18 and 19 at the Sava Center.

Registration: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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Panel II | Geopolitics Rewired: The Many-Body Problem will be released on June 19.

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The world no longer operates within a simple bipolar or unipolar framework. Regional blocs, middle powers, international institutions, technology companies, and other actors today shape global relations through an increasingly complex web of interests, alliances, and influence.

How do states, companies and institutions position themselves in a world where alliances are fluid and power is increasingly distributed?

These topics will be discussed by:

• @TdeMontbrial , Founder and Executive Chairman of @IFRI_ - Institut français des relations internationales and Chairman of the International Conference on Global Politics (WPC)

• @jeremic_vuk , President of CIRSD - Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia and former President of the UN General Assembly

• @HuiyaoWang , Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization @CCG_org

• Lars-Hendrik Röller, Founder and Chair of the Berlin Global Dialogue and former chief economic adviser to German Chancellor Angela Merkel

• Ljiljana Smajlović - journalist, moderator of the panel

Panel II | Geopolitics Rewired: The Many-Body Problem will be released on June 19.

Registration: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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Applications are open until June 10.

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Be part of Horizons Forum!

This June, Belgrade becomes a bridge between China and Europe.

We are looking for motivated students and young professionals to join the organizational and media volunteer teams of the Horizons | Sustainability and Connectivity Forum.

We welcome volunteers with strong English skills, team spirit, motivation, and an interest in international cooperation, global events, communications, and social media.

Apply now: https://t.co/TuTz1rBfKH

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Panel I | The Trillion-Dollar Question

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Can ESG deliver on its promise and align profit with social purpose, or does it risk becoming a casualty of greenwashing accusations, inconsistent methodology, and increasingly strong political pushback?

One of the most important questions of our time will be discussed by:

- @BrankoMilan , Research Professor at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY) and one of the world’s leading experts on global inequality

- Igor Yurgens, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development and ESG Transformation at MGIMO

- Chengzhi Xu , Global Chief Public Affairs Officer at Windey Energy Technology Group

- @ZicariAdrian , Full Professor in Accounting at ESSEC and Academic Director of the Council on Business & Society

- Representative of Zijin

Panel I | The Trillion-Dollar Question will take place on June 19 at 10:00 AM.

Registration: https://t.co/0KLzsUJmsj

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