13.30

Registration and welcome coffee

14.00

Opening words by the conference moderator

14.10

Opening words by the Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid

14.25

Opening words by the Minister of Foreign Affairs from Japan (TBC)

14:40

Keynote speech: “What are the next BIG THINGS to define the modern power struggle?”
More and more we hear the claim that the competition between countries as well as corporations is defining the New World Order and that there is a “war” going on. What exactly leads to this perception/conclusion and what role do Asian, European and US political as well as corporate powers have to play in this?

15:10

Keynote speech: “AI as the new “nuclear” weapon – international competition or global collaboration”
The development of AI has found its top place on the agenda of many countries – including Estonia! However, will it be a power struggle between the “big two”, i.e. China and the US, or is there any chance for smaller players such as international startups and smaller countries like Estonia to diversify the landscape and contribute to the global future in this field? And how should this future look like?

15:40

Coffee break

16:00

Panel discussion: “Building sustainable and smart cities – is Asia leading the race?”
Quality of life is one of the top issues the cities are dealing with – whether it is provided through safer and more sustainable living environment, better organisation of daily life or recreational and cultural opportunities. Smart City concept aims to contribute to all of these aspects. Are the Asian countries ahead of Europe in their developments? What are the lessons learned and best practices to be shared?

17.30

Short break

18.30

Networking dinner

21.00

Night owl session: “Big Data – a threat to privacy or a tool for the future?”
China’s social credit system has stirred up emotions globally. However, we are entering the Big Data Era and are always looking for solutions which make our everyday lives and interactions/transactions between people, companies, and government(s) more digital, automated and data-driven. What should be the universal values to take into account when developing new solutions and what are we willing to give up in exchange for better governmental, corporate and peer-to-peer services?

09.30

Opening words by the Minister of Education Mailis Reps

09.40

Rectors’ panel: “Designing successful knowledge-based societies: lessons learned from Japan, Singapore and others”
It has been universally acknowledged that the success of a society/economy/country comes from smart planning, acquisition of talent as well as know-how/skills from its community. How can such designs be achieved? What role has the educational system in that? What else is needed? The panel brings together rectors from the leading universities from Asia and Estonia to discuss how to design successful knowledge-based societies.

10.40

Break

11.00

The two keynote speeches below are parallel and take place in different rooms.

Keynote speech: “Cooperating with Asia in combating cyber risks in the tech era”

Keynote speech: “Asia leading the way in combating social issues through innovation”

11.20

The two panel discussions below are parallel and take place in different rooms.

Panel discussion: “Cyber security as a common endeavor or base for different perspectives”
As the cyberspace is becoming part of the global playground, all parties need to agree and adjust to the common rules of the game. Are the goals the same or are there any differences?

Panel discussion “Social issues – creating sustainability through innovation”
European as well as some Asian countries are facing inevitable developments such as aging societies. What might be the solutions and how these work on bigger scale in comparison to smaller societies?

12.30

Conference lunch

13.30

The two keynote speeches below are parallel and take place in different rooms.

Keynote speech: “Asia in the midst of conflicts – how does it impact EU’s foreign policy”

Keynote speech: “Expanding to Asia – managing the risks and fulfilling the potential”

13.50

The two panel discussions below are parallel and take place in different rooms.

Panel discussion: “Dilemmas in foreign policy – small states in the turbulence of big states?”
In the context of global market competition, fight for economic growth and new opportunities, the question arises: do smaller countries even have a chance to independently define their foreign policy? How could they successfully survive the political turbulence of leading states?

Panel discussion: “Scale fast or fail fast – can your business afford not going to Asia?”
Due to its large markets and capital readily available for consumption and investment, Asia increasingly gains attraction among European companies and startups. Is it nowadays even thinkable not to consider Asian markets when you want to grow your business?

15.00

Break

15.30

Keynote speech by President of Tencent 

16.00

Closing panel discussion: The race is on – where should it take us?
In times of fast change and competitive spirits, it is easy to overlook the aspects that define the future well-being of our societies, and to ignore the need for international cooperation. We face many common challenges with Asia such as an aging population, limited resources (both material as well as human talent), production and consumption caused problems… So, how could we cooperate with Asia to race to the top together instead of getting caught in the race to the bottom? How to turn common challenges with Asia into new opportunities, e.g. demographic change into a push for new solutions, garbage problem into a chance to provide new kinds of resources, climate challenge into motivation for better use of energy, etc.? What can we learn from Asia in all of it?

17.00

Closing words by the conference moderator

17.10

Networking event