On September 23, 2025, the State Trade and Economics University (SUTE) held the XXII International Scientific and Practical Conference “Global Shifts and European Competitiveness.” The event brought together leading scholars and practitioners from Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Serbia, Portugal and Spain to discuss global economic transformations, technological challenges, and new opportunities for Europe’s competitiveness.

The conference was opened by Rector Anatolii Mazaraki, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the role of SUTE as a hub of academic dialogue. The plenary session was moderated by Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and International Relations Anzhelika Gerasymenko, who set a dynamic and professional tone for the discussions.

 Key presentations included:

• Larysa Lebedieva, Diana Shkuropadska (SUTE), Jorge Gonçalves (University of Lisbon) — Infrastructure resilience amid crises: lessons from Ukraine and Portugal.

• Andrzej Jaki, Marek Dzura, Fabio Fragomeni, Paweł Lula, Tomasz Rojek (Cracow University of Economics, University of Messina) — Conditions and mechanisms of implementing and using AI in the financial sector.

• Gianvittorio di Fazio, Valeria Schifilliti, Raffaele Staglianò (University of Messina, LUISS Guido Carli) — Exploring the frontiers of AI in finance.

• Nenad Tomić, Milena Jakšić, Predrag Stanković (University of Kragujevac) — The role of open banking in the development of sustainable finance.

• Chiara Aravello, Antonia Cava, Veronica Marozzo, Francesco Micali, Andrea Nucita, Stefano Russo (University of Messina) — Technology, organization and environmental adaptation: a qualitative analysis of Sicilian SMEs.

• Tindara Abbate, Patrizia Accordio, Raffaella Coppolino, Elvira Tiziana La Rocca (University of Messina) — When AI meets the innovation of the firm: an overview of challenges and threats.

• Tetiana Zubko (SUTE) — Ukraine–EU trade under global fluctuations.

• Hanna Duhinets, Larysa Sarkisian (SUTE) — Defense industry policy and green competitiveness: case of Ukraine.

• David Segarra-Leiva (Technical University of Cartagena), Elvira Tiziana La Rocca, María Eugenia Sánchez-Vidal, Valeria Schifilliti (University of Messina) — Slow tourism as an antidote to overtourism: a comparative case study of Cittaslow in Italy and Spain.

• Esri Niituriki (University of Messina) — Immigrant empowerment and inclusive social competitiveness.

• Alberto Carazzolo, Daniela Rupo (University Dante Alighieri, University of Messina) — ESG as a driver of competitiveness and business value.

The presentations covered a wide spectrum of topics — from AI in finance and sustainable open banking to green and defense industry policies in Ukraine, inclusive social competitiveness, slow tourism, and ESG-driven business strategies.

The conference reaffirmed STEU’s status as a powerful international hub of science and innovation, where knowledge, practice, and global perspectives converge to shape strategies for the future of the economy and society.