Sodyq Safoev, Rector of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) introduced the Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan, ex-head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti. 

 Mr. Chakrabarti dedicated his lecture to 10 megatrends expected to be observed by the year 2060. In particular, he touched upon such issues as demographics, urbanization, the rise of the middle class, inequality, climate change, increased migration, information technology, weakening of global cooperation and change in shape and size of the world economy. 

At the end of his speech, Mr. Chakrabarti answered questions that were of interest to the audience. 

Sir Suma Chakrabarti is a former British civil servant who served as the sixth President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Sir Suma served two terms as President. 

In September of 2020 Suma Chakrabarti was appointed Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on economic development, good governance and international cooperation.