Leading voices from government, business, and culture discuss global trends, economic resilience, and sustainable development
In Belgrade, the “World in 2025” conference was held, marking its 12th consecutive year of tradition in concluding the current year with reflections on Serbia’s political, business, and social environment while opening discussions on key issues for the coming year.
Color Media Events, a member of the Color Press Group, organised the conference, which took place in the Grand Hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia on Monday, 9 December 2024.
This year, through panels and case studies, participants sought to address challenges the world will face in the year ahead, the issues confronting the global economy, and how culture has responded to the past year’s challenges.
On behalf of the host, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Mihailo Vesović, opened the conference, welcoming the participants. “I hope this day will help us better understand the world we live in today and the world we will live in tomorrow,” Vesović stated at the conference’s opening, adding moderately optimistic economic forecasts for the coming year, primarily due to the unstable geopolitical situation globally.
Representatives delivered the Serbian government’s introductory remarks. Ivica Dačić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs stated in his speech that Serbia in 2025 will be a country with an even brighter future. Opening remarks were also delivered by Tanja Miščević, Minister for European Integration; Nemanja Starović, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans, and Social Affairs; Zoran Gajić, Minister of Sports; Dejan Ristić, Minister of Information and Telecommunications; Đorđe Milićević, Minister without Portfolio for Diaspora Relations; and Tatjana Macura, Minister without Portfolio responsible for gender equality, preventing violence against women, and the economic and political empowerment of women.
Minister Tatjana Macura discussed how profit overshadows ethical values in the modern world. “In such a system, women face additional challenges in striving for their place in the economy,” Macura said, emphasising that “our goal is to create a society of equal opportunities where every woman has the chance to realise her potential.”
The first panel, “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off,” featured Serbia ambassadors discussing today’s challenges. Moderated by Žikica Milošević, participants included H.E. Avivit Bar-Lilan, Ambassador of Israel to Serbia; H.E. An Lugon-Moulin, Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia; H.E. Aleksandar Vranješ, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia; and H.E. Carlos Félix Corona, Ambassador of Mexico to Serbia.
The second panel focused on business under “Money Never Sleeps.” Skillfully moderated by Žikica Milošević of Diplomacy&Commerce magazine, the panel explored contemporary capitalism with contributions from Pavel Erankevich, General Manager of Carlsberg Serbia; Erich P. Cossutta, General Manager of Dragon Maritime Group; Nebojša Matić, General Manager of Mikroelektronika; and Bojan Stanić from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
The programme continued in the afternoon with two highly engaging panels:
“Gender Equality as a Sustainable Development Issue,” organised by UN Women Serbia, and “Can Beauty Save the World? Culture, Against All Odds,” moderated by Robert Čoban, with cultural professionals as participants.
The annual business conference “World in 2025” all-day programme concluded with the second annual Taste Awards 2025, honouring domestic restaurateurs, winemakers, brewers, and the food industry.
