Ukrainian Sustainable Development Expert Andrey STEFANOVICI at FERM 2025: “This is the only place where people speak openly about problems”

REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025

19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025

Thematic Panel:
Strategic Investments in the Moldova Region

Speaker:
Andrey Stefanovici – Expert in Sustainable Territorial Development, Kyiv, Ukraine

Presentation Topic:
“GIS – Geographic Information Systems”

In his speech, Andrey Stefanovici, an expert in sustainable territorial development from Kyiv, highlighted two essential aspects for the future of the Extended Moldova Region: the need for transparent dialogue among all involved stakeholders, and the use of advanced technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the efficient management of territorial resources.

Openness to Dialogue – A Defining Trait of the Forum

Stefanovici immediately identified a key element behind the success of this event.

“This is the only place, in my experience, where people speak openly about problems.”

This emphasizes a crucial trait for regional progress: only through transparency and an honest confrontation of challenges can realistic and sustainable solutions be identified. Thus, the forum is not just a formal platform but a space where responsible actors embrace the truth and drive change.

Who Designs Investments? Accountability and Interests in the Decision-Making Process

A critical point raised was who is behind the investment proposals and what their motivations are.

“When the proposal is written by authorities, the people who take risks are missing. When it’s done by the business sector, it serves their own interests.”

The expert pointed out an inherent tension: investment decisions are sometimes made without clear accountability or are influenced by private interests. In this context, he suggested a unifying role for specialized agencies to harmonize interests and ensure the balanced and responsible involvement of all parties.

Concrete Proposal: Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Instead of theoretical speeches, Stefanovici provided an immediately applicable solution.

“Any form of economic association on a given territory should be represented in geographic information systems.”

The GIS technology, which enables the digitalization and spatial analysis of resources, emerges as a strategic tool for optimizing decision-making. By integrating all territorial resources into digital maps, authorities and investors can quickly assess zonal potential and prioritize high-impact sectors such as agriculture, tourism, logistics, or environmental protection.

Finally, Stefanovici stressed the importance of speed and preparedness in accessing European funds.

“We need to move very fast. There are concrete examples of using European funds that will work in your favor.”

This call is a pragmatic and motivating conclusion for regional stakeholders, reminding them that financial opportunities are available—but implementation efficiency and swift action are decisive for success.

Conclusions

Andrey Stefanovici’s speech stood out through its clarity, firmness, and solution-oriented approach. At its core, it was a plea for three key directions in regional development: assuming responsibility in decision-making, fostering honest and constructive dialogue between public and private actors, and adopting modern technologies such as geographic information systems for efficient resource management.

In a geopolitical and economic context marked by instability and rapid transformation, these messages are more than recommendations—they are necessary conditions for strategic investments to generate sustainable results and real impact in communities. The Extended Moldova Region has resources, opportunities, and partners, but it needs a clear vision and functional mechanisms to harness them effectively.