October 8
The Rīga Conference Business Forum 2025
Entrepreneurship in the Age of Uncertainty: Path to Resilient Growth
09:00 - 09:30
Registration & Coffee
Opening of the Event
09:30 - 10:00
Opening
H.E. Baiba Braže, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia
Anita Krūmiņa, Head of The Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFCA)
Artūrs Vasiļevskis, CEO of a leading European AI-driven language technology company Tilde H.E.
Anatolii Kutsevol, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Latvia
Prof. Gundars Bērziņš, Rector of the University of Latvia
Jānis Karlsbergs, Head of the Board of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation
The Strategic Nexus of Geopolitics and Business
The intersection of geopolitics and business has never been more significant. Global shifts in security and international relations increasingly shape markets, trade, and investment strategies. Perspectives from defence, intelligence, and foreign policy highlight how businesses must account for evolving security environments, emerging power dynamics, and policy choices that influence economic resilience. This discussion explores how leaders can navigate complexity, anticipate risks, and adapt strategies to ensure competitiveness and sustainable growth in an era of uncertainty.
10:00 - 11:00
Dr. Juan Battaleme, State Secretary for the International Relations at the Argentinian Ministry of Defence
David Cattler, Former Director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, the United States
Giorgos Verdi, Policy Fellow with the European Power Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations
Egita Poļanska, Partner at Outlast Fund, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, Baiba Braže, on Startup and Technology Issues
Moderator: Dr. Kārlis Bukovskis, Director of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs, an Associate Professor at Riga Stradins University
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 - 11:40
Chris Cook, Senior Reporter at the FT
Sanctions and Security: What Do They Mean for Latvian Company Leaders?
As global sanctions regimes intensify in response to geopolitical tensions, businesses face growing pressure to adapt their strategies and operations. For Latvian company leaders, compliance is only the starting point—sanctions are reshaping risk assessments, investment decisions, supply chains, and market access. This discussion will explore how sanctions as a security and foreign policy tool affect the business environment in Latvia, what challenges and opportunities they create, and how companies can remain resilient, competitive, and responsible in an increasingly regulated and unpredictable world.
11:40 - 12:40
Elina Ribakova, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics
Raimonds Zukuls, Director of the National Customs Board
Jānis Garisons, Chief Executive Officer NEWT21
Artis Pabriks, Director of the Northern Europe Policy Centre
Moderator: Max Seddon, Moscow Bureau Chief at Financial Times
12:40 - 13:30
Lunch Break
Skills, Sustainability & New Strategic Partnerships in a Turbulent World
Geopolitical uncertainty, rapid technological shifts, and new economic realities demand fresh approaches to resilience and growth. The discussion focuses on how skills development, sustainability, and strategic partnerships can strengthen competitiveness while ensuring long-term stability. Perspectives from finance, European economic policy, defence, and science highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration, education, and research in shaping Latvia’s and Europe’s ability to adapt and thrive in turbulent times.
13:30 - 14:30
Aivars Puriņš, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia
Arnis Škapars, Head of Retail banking SEB Latvia, Management Board Member
Lauma Muižniece, Director of the Latvian Council of Science
Normunds Bergs, President of Latvian Industry Development Confederation
Moderator: Asoc. Prof. Guntars Kitenbergs, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Latvia
14:30 - 15:00
Coffee Break
PARALLEL SESSIONS
Masterclass: Crisis Management Online Platform Training
An interactive training session introducing participants to a digital platform designed for crisis management. The workshop provides hands-on experience in coordinating responses, making decisions under pressure, and testing resilience through realistic online simulation.
15:00 - 16:00
The workshop led by Marija Golubeva, Distinguished Fellow with the Democratic Resilience Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis
Masterclass: Staff Resilience- Digital Footprint
In a world where personal and professional boundaries increasingly overlap online, the digital footprint of employees has become a critical element of organisational resilience. This masterclass provides practical insights into how digital presence shapes security, reputation, and overall risk exposure. Participants will explore how to identify and manage vulnerabilities linked to online behaviour, protect both individual and corporate integrity, and foster a culture of awareness within teams. Through interactive exercises and expert guidance, the session equips company leaders and staff with the tools to strengthen resilience in the digital domain.
15:00 - 16:00
The workshop led by Avital Sahar, Strategic Campaign Manager, Top Expert in Offensive and Defensive Public Perception Management
16:00
Closing of the Event
Jānis Karlsbergs, Head of the Board of the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation
16:15 - 18:00
Networking Cocktail Reception