Abstract:
This presentation examines the role of regions and cities in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Russian Federation. It traces the evolution of the sustainable development and ESG agenda from the corporate sector to public administration, while analyzing key institutional constraints faced by regional authorities—including the lack of a unified strategic framework, implementation roadmaps, and standardized evaluation metrics. Special emphasis is placed on digital transformation as a critical enabler of effective governance, performance monitoring, and multi-stakeholder engagement. Through illustrative Russian case studies, the presentation highlights the contribution of business to territorial development and to enhancing the quality of life for local communities.

Speaker:
Elena Dolgikh, Expert in Sustainable Development (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility; Candidate of Economic Sciences; Member of the Council on Non-Financial Reporting, Sustainability Indices and Ratings of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP); Member of the Working Group on Non-Financial Reporting; Member of the Council for Sustainable Business Development, Corporate Social Responsibility and Volunteering at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation.