The 35th Annual Meeting of Governors and Business Forum, taking place in Riga from June 5 to 7, underscores the growing international interest in the Baltic region as an attractive destination for investment, innovation, and international cooperation. The gathering of more than 2,000 government representatives, investors, business leaders, and representatives of financial institutions gathering in Riga is not only a high-level international event but also a testament to the region’s competitiveness, resilience, and growing role in global economic discussions.
The EBRD Annual Meeting is one of the most significant international events in the fields of development finance, investment, and the economy. It features high-level plenary sessions, thematic discussions, investment sessions, bilateral meetings, and business forum events dedicated to global economic development, competitiveness, innovation, digitalization, energy, and sustainable growth.
Economy Minister Viktors Valainis emphasizes that hosting the EBRD meeting in Riga is a testament to Latvia’s growth and its ability to be an equal partner in international economic processes:
“Twenty-five years ago, Latvia was learning from the world’s economic leaders. Today, the world has come to Riga to discuss the future together. The fact that the EBRD’s 35th Annual Meeting of Governors is taking place in Latvia confirms our country’s growth, international credibility, and ability to be an equal partner in global economic discussions. These days, Riga is hosting people who make decisions on investments, infrastructure development, energy, innovation, and economic transformation. For Latvia and the Baltic region, this is an opportunity to showcase our strengths—the business environment, human capital, innovation potential, and the ability to collaborate at the international level."
The EBRD’s annual meeting of governors traditionally takes place at the bank’s headquarters in London or in one of the EBRD’s member countries. Riga has been chosen as the venue for the meeting for the second time—the first time was in 2000. This underscores Latvia’s ability to host high-level international events and its growing significance in the international economic and investment landscape.
The meeting will focus on issues that will determine countries’ competitiveness in the future—from energy transition, digitalization, and innovation to the investment environment and economic resilience. These are factors that increasingly influence investor decisions, business development opportunities, and the pace of economic growth worldwide.
LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere emphasizes that the competitiveness of the Baltic states and their ability to adapt to change are increasingly coming into the spotlight of international investors:
"The Baltic states are no longer just a rapidly growing region. They are becoming a place where investors seek future growth opportunities in Europe. Our advantage lies in our ability to combine innovation, digital solutions, a highly skilled workforce, and a business environment capable of adapting quickly to change. Investors increasingly value not only market size but also the countries’ resilience, technological development, and ability to implement change. It is precisely in these areas that the Baltic region has proven itself. The EBRD meeting is an opportunity for the international business community to experience the potential of Latvia and the Baltics firsthand, build new contacts, and discover opportunities for cooperation on future investments, export deals, and development projects."
The main theme of this year’s EBRD meeting is “From Volatility to Versatility: National Innovation in a Changing World,” emphasizing the economy’s ability to adapt to global challenges while promoting innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.
People whose decisions will shape the direction of investment, innovation, and economic development in Europe and around the world in the coming years are gathering in Riga these days.