A roundtable discussion titled “Sustainable Development and Environmental Well-Being in the Context of Global Challenges” was held at Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University (KNEU) on the 6 of March. The event was organized within the framework of the grant project of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency– “Youth Leadership for the Consolidation of EU Initiatives in the Context of Cross-Border Instability in Ukraine”(YouthLeadtoEUinUA, ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH).It gathered over 130 participants, including scholars, experts, business leaders, and students.

In today’s world, sustainable development and environmental well-being have become key topics on the global agenda. Challenges such as climate change, depletion of natural resources, and environmental degradation require comprehensive approaches and international cooperation.

Key Factors Highlighting the Relevance of the Roundtable:

• Post-War Recovery of Ukraine. The environmental aspect plays a crucial role in the recovery of Ukraine’s economy and infrastructure following the devastating consequences of war. Discussions on environmental sustainability and the circular economy help shape effective sustainable development strategies.
• European Integration and Cooperation with the EU. Ukraine is actively adopting European environmental standards, including the EU Green Dealand circular economy principles. During the event, participants discussed the importance of international partnerships in forestry, environmental monitoring, and certification.
• Global Challenges and the Need for Innovation.The rapid greening of international trade and businessdemands new approaches to competitiveness and resource management. Presentations at the roundtable covered key trends and prospectsin intellectual property, digitalization, and the green economy.

ØThe Role of Youth and the Academic Community. The active participation of students, young researchers, and leading expertsreaffirms that the future of sustainable development depends on intergenerational dialogue and knowledge exchange. The roundtable served as a platform for generating ideas and new research initiatives.

Thus, this event is not only relevant but also essential for shaping a strategy for Ukraine’s environmentally sustainable future in the context of European integration and global challenges.

The event was moderated by Yaroslava Stoliarchuk, Doctor of Economics, Professor, and Head of the Department of International Economics. The speakers of the round table focused on:

- SDGs and ESG, sustainable development and environmental well-being are being thought about in global financial centers, as these issues are the subject of activities of leading business schools;

- circular economy, its development and dissemination make a significant contribution to achieving SDGs and transforming national economies. At the same time, there is an effective and appropriate combination of digital and green transformations (digital passports, twins, etc.);

- environmental challenges, risks require improved monitoring and assessment, as well as an expansion of the range of indicators of both stimulants and de-stimulators.

- in some markets a dynamic change in conditions is observed as a result of prioritizing the development of a green economy. In particular, forestry. Regulatory changes and digital solutions are the biggest factors in such dynamics.

The presentations complement each other and cover a wide range of aspects, from theories and global trends, from intellectual property to innovation, international and local cooperation, circular models and sectors of the economy. Together, this allows for a holistic view of the roundtable topic and encourages sustainable behavior. In pacticular, the speakers presented groundbreaking research, including:

• Nataliia Cherkas (Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany) delivered a presentation titled "Competitiveness and Environmental Sustainability of Ukraine in the Context of Post-War Recovery." She analyzed the link between environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. She emphasized the need for investments in the green economy and the implementation of innovative technologies to achieve long-term development.
• Dmytro Lazarenko (Doctor of Economics, Professor, CEO of the Circular Economy Cluster), in his presentation "Circular Models for Ensuring Sustainable Development," explored mechanisms for transitioning to circular economy models based on closed-loop production principles. He provided examples of successful international practices and discussed their adaptation potential in Ukraine.
• Artur Amber (Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management at the European University) presented research findings on "Integral Assessment of Ukraine’s Environmental Security." His report included methods for assessing the country's environmental state and recommendations for reducing negative environmental impacts.
• Anna Sysoieva (Head of Procurement, 3NRG GmbH, Germany) delivered a presentation titled "EU-Ukraine Cooperation in Forestry." She highlighted the implementation of digital forest resource accounting, supply chain certification, and environmental monitoring in the forestry sector.
• Vitalina Mazur and Denys Mazur (Bachelor’s degree students in the International Economics program) provided an analytical review of "Global Trends in the Greening of International Trade" and "Global Environmental Policy and Its Instruments." Their presentations examined the impact of environmental standards on global trade flows and the mechanisms of international environmental policy regulation.
• Tetiana Kysla discussed "Intellectual Property as a Driving Force for Green Economy Development," emphasizing the role of patent protection and innovation in accelerating environmental transformations.
• Anton Pasenok, in his speech "The Circular Economy Amid Global Innovation and Green Development," examined the prospects of combining technological progress with circular principlesacross various industries.
• Denys Ilnytskyy (Doctor of Economics, Professor, KNEU) proposed the creation of a green economy research network as a platform for international collaboration and the exchange of scientific developments in environmental economics.

The event reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation and scientific initiatives in sustainable development. Participants emphasized the need to integrate knowledge, technology, and environmental responsibility in shaping Ukraine’s sustainable future strategy. KNEU continues to play a key role in fostering international partnerships and environmental awareness.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) onlyand do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neitherthe European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.