The 7th StrategEast State and IT Eurasian Forum has officially opened in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking the start of two days of high-level discussions on digital transformation, innovation, and the role of technology in shaping Eurasia’s future.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast; Salar Imamaliyev, Chief Commercial Officer, Innovation and Digital Development Agency of Azerbaijan; and Alkis Drakinos, Director, Regional Head Caucasus, EBRD.
In his opening speech, Anatoly Motkin emphasized the importance of knowledge-driven economy and collaboration as key drivers of regional growth.
In outlining the EBRDs long-term digital vision, Alkis Drakinos emphasized that developing and deploying digital technologies is a strategic enabler for strengthening human capital and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
Salar Imamaliyev noted Azerbaijan’s growing role as a regional innovation hub.
The opening keynote, “Architecting the Impossible: Building the Imagination Economy,” was delivered by Catherine Connors, Co-founder of StoryQuo. Catherine challenged participants to rethink the boundaries of innovation, to build the future, and shift from extraction and building to creating, dreaming, and envisioning.
The Forum continues its tradition of convening the world’s leading tech companies — including alongside government officials and development partners to advance Eurasia’s digital transformation agenda.
The 7th StrategEast State and It Eurasian Forum is supported by the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency of Azerbaijan, EBRD, Google, EPAM, EY, and Pasha Holding.
