The Palandöken Economic Forum, held in Erzurum on 26-27 April 2025, with the partnership of Erzurum Technical University (ETU), to address the impacts of digitalization and artificial intelligence-focused transformations on the global economy and societies, has been concluded.

The forum, organized under the main theme of “A Fair Future in a Smart World: Smart Economies and Global Inequality,” brought together over 1,000 business people, academics and representatives of civil society organizations from more than 30 countries. The event began with the opening speech of the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, via video conference.

A total of seven sessions were held within the scope of the forum, four main and three special sessions. In the sessions, where 40 speakers from 27 different countries participated, important topics such as the effects of artificial intelligence on the economy and society, the construction of smart economies, climate change and energy transformation, digitalization in culture and tourism, Türkiye's investment vision and global cooperation strategies were discussed.

In the program, which was followed by more than 100 members of the national and international press, the relationship between increasing economic inequalities on a global scale and digital transformation processes was discussed extensively, and ideas that would contribute to the development of solutions for a fair, inclusive and sustainable global future were proposed.

The closing session of the forum  was held with a speech by the Minister of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Turkey  , Mehmet Şimşek, via video conference. In his speech, Minister Şimşek evaluated the effects of global economic developments on the Turkish economy, new opportunities created by digitalization, and sustainable growth strategies.

ETU Rector Prof. Dr. Bülent Çakmak made the following assessment regarding the forum: "The Palandöken Economic Forum addressed the most critical issues of our time, such as digital transformation and global inequality, and presented a solution-oriented vision. As a university, we are proud to contribute to such a prestigious organization. I believe that the forum will carry our city to stronger places in the world of science and economy. On this occasion, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the organization of the program."

Corporate Communications Directorate 28.04.2025