Events

SDIC 2026

International Scientific Conference

Emerging Challenges and New Perspectives for Sustainable Development and International Cooperation

3 November 2026 | Tbilisi, Georgia | Hybrid Conference

Organized by: Ilia State University, Faculty of Business, Technology and Education

Working Language: English
Participation: In person and online via Zoom
Conference Email: sdconference@iliauni.edu.ge

About the Conference

Ilia State University is pleased to announce the International Scientific Conference “Emerging Challenges and New Perspectives for Sustainable Development and International Cooperation” (SDIC 2026), which will take place on 3 November 2026, in Tbilisi, Georgia, in a hybrid format.

The conference aims to bring together international scholars, researchers, academics, early-career researchers, doctoral students, policymakers, practitioners, and representatives of public and private institutions to explore contemporary challenges and emerging perspectives in sustainable development.

In an increasingly interconnected world, sustainable development requires interdisciplinary approaches that integrate economic transformation, environmental responsibility, social inclusion, effective governance, legal frameworks, and international cooperation.

SDIC 2026 provides an international academic platform for presenting research findings, exchanging knowledge and experience, discussing innovative approaches, and identifying opportunities for future scientific and institutional collaboration.

The conference welcomes theoretical, empirical, comparative, and interdisciplinary contributions addressing sustainable development from economic, environmental, social, technological, legal, and institutional perspectives.

Particular attention will be given to research exploring the challenges and opportunities of sustainable transformation in emerging and transition economies, as well as the role of international partnerships in addressing global and regional development challenges.

Conference Objectives

The main objectives of SDIC 2026 are to:

• Promote interdisciplinary scientific dialogue on emerging sustainable development challenges.
• Encourage the exchange of innovative research findings and evidence-based approaches.
• Strengthen international academic and institutional cooperation.
• Explore the relationships between environmental sustainability, economic development, social inclusion, governance, and legal frameworks.
• Support early-career researchers and doctoral students in presenting their research internationally.
• Facilitate new research partnerships, collaborative publications, and international project initiatives.
• Contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Conference Tracks

Track I. Green Transition, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development

This track focuses on the environmental, technological, and economic dimensions of sustainable transformation.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Green transition and green economic development
• Renewable energy and energy transition
• Energy security and energy market transformation
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Environmental and energy policy
• Sustainable finance and green investment
• Circular economy and resource efficiency
• Sustainable infrastructure and urban development
• Environmental economics
• Green technologies and innovation
• Sustainable production and consumption
• Energy and environmental regulation
• Digital transformation and artificial intelligence for sustainability

Track II. Inclusive Development, Entrepreneurship and Social Sustainability

This track explores the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development, with particular attention to entrepreneurship, inclusion, and community well-being.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Inclusive and sustainable economic development
• Entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises
• Female entrepreneurship and women's economic empowerment
• Social entrepreneurship and social innovation
• Rural and regional development
• Sustainable agriculture and agricultural cooperatives
• Sustainable employment and decent work
• Social inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination
• Migration and development
• Education and human capital development
• Corporate social responsibility
• Sustainable business models
• Digital inclusion and social transformation
• Community resilience and social sustainability

Track III. Governance, Law and International Cooperation for Sustainable Development

This track examines the institutional, legal, political, and international dimensions of sustainable development.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Rule of law and institutional development
• Human rights and sustainable development
• Migration and human rights
• Environmental and climate law
• Public administration and governance
• European integration and European law
• International law and international cooperation
• Good governance, transparency, and accountability
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• Crisis management and institutional resilience
• Humanitarian assistance and development cooperation
• Local governance and regional cooperation
• Evidence-based policymaking
• Sustainable Development Goals implementation
• International partnerships and development cooperation

Interdisciplinary contributions connecting two or more conference tracks are particularly encouraged.

Call for Abstracts

Researchers, academics, doctoral students, early-career scholars, and professionals are invited to submit original research abstracts for presentation at SDIC 2026.

The conference welcomes contributions addressing one or more of its three scientific tracks.

Abstract Submission Requirements

Abstracts must be written in English and should contain 250–350 words.

Each submission should include:

• Paper title
• Full name(s) of author(s)
• Institutional affiliation(s)
• Country
• Corresponding author's email address
• ORCID identifier, if available
• Selected conference track
• Abstract of 250–350 words
• Three to five keywords

The abstract should clearly present the research objective, methodology or analytical approach, principal findings or expected results, and scientific contribution.

Submission Procedure

Abstracts should be submitted electronically to:

sdconference@iliauni.edu.ge

Suggested email subject: Abstract Submission – SDIC 2026 – Author Surname

Authors will receive acknowledgment of their submission and will be notified of the Scientific Committee's decision.

Submissions will be evaluated according to their relevance, originality, academic quality, clarity, and contribution to the conference themes.

Important Dates

All dates refer to Georgia Standard Time (GET, UTC+4).

Participation and Presentation Format

The conference will be organized in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in person at Ilia State University in Tbilisi or remotely through the university's institutional Zoom platform.

The working language of the conference is English.

Accepted authors will be invited to present their research in the relevant scientific session.

Oral presentations are expected to last approximately 15 minutes, subject to the final conference programme.

Detailed presentation instructions, technical information, and online access details will be communicated to accepted participants. 

Who Can Participate?

The conference welcomes:

• University academic staff and researchers
• Early-career researchers and doctoral students
• Representatives of research institutions
• Public administration and government representatives
• International organizations and development practitioners
• Business and private-sector professionals
• Civil society and nonprofit organizations
• International academic and professional networks 

Scientific Review

All submitted abstracts will undergo academic evaluation coordinated by the conference's Scientific Committee and designated reviewers.

International Scientific Committee

The International Scientific Committee brings together distinguished academics and researchers from leading universities and research institutions across Europe, Asia, North America, and beyond, reflecting the conference's international and interdisciplinary character. The Committee contributes to the academic development of the conference, scientific evaluation of submissions, and promotion of international research cooperation. 

The Committee's composition is continuously updated as additional distinguished scholars confirm their participation.

Georgia

• Badri Gechbaia – Professor, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University
• Davit Gamkrelidze – Associate Professor, Ilia State University
• Davit Mamrikishvili – Assistant Professor, Ilia State University
• Eka Lekashvili – Associate Professor, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
• Eka Maghlaperidze – Assistant Professor, Kutaisi International University (KIU)
• Giorgi Khishtovani – Professor, Ilia State University
• Ia Natsvlishvili – Associate Professor, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
• Irakli Petriashvili – Associate Professor, The University of Georgia
• Ketevan Lakirbaia – Associate Professor, Ilia State University
• Murman Margvelashvili – Associate Professor, Ilia State University
• Natia Surmanidze – Associate Professor, Ilia State University
• Nikoloz Kavelashvili – Professor, Ilia State University
• Nino Pataraia – Professor, Ilia State University
• Tamar Maghalashvili – Associate Professor, Ilia State University
• Zurab Mushkudiani – Professor, Georgian International University (GIU)

United States of America

• Erin Litzow – Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Dallas
• Franco Gandolfi – Professor, Georgetown University

Türkiye

• Atakan Durmaz – Professor, Samsun University

Latvia

• Anatolijs Krivins – Professor, Daugavpils University
• Kristine Uzule – Associate Professor, EKA University of Applied Sciences

Tajikistan

• Borbad Mirzozoda – Professor, Tajik Technical University named after Academician M. S. Osimi

India

• Komal Chopra – Associate Professor, Symbiosis International University

Azerbaijan

• Nargiz Hajiyeva – Associate Professor, Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)

North Macedonia

• Andrijana Bojadzievska Danevska – Associate Professor, International Balkan University
• Ivan Efremovski – Professor, International Slavic University - Sveti Nikole

Finland

• Tarlan Ahmadov – Senior Researcher, Finnish Environment Institute

Israel

• Hila Chalutz-Ben Gal – Assistant Professor, Bar-Ilan University

Italy

• Alessandro Margherita – Professor, University of Salento
• Gianluca Solazzo – Research Associate, University of Salento

Poland

• Agnieszka Klimska – Assistant Professor, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw
• Beata Zofia Filipiak – Professor, University of Szczecin
• Marcin Lipowski – Associate Professor, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University
• Marek Dylewski – Professor, WSB University in Poznań

France

• Béatrice Grimonpont – – Associate Professor, JUNIA

Bulgaria

• Dimitrina Stefanova – Professor, South-West University “Neofit Rilski”
• Valentin Penchev Vasilev – Professor, New Bulgarian University
• Yanica Dimitrova – Professor, University of Library Studies and Information Technologies

Croatia

• Tanja Gavric – Professor, University of Applied Sciences Baltazar Zaprešić

Pakistan

• Fahad Saddique – Scholar, Institute of Management Sciences (IMS)
• Nauman Mushtaq – Scholar, Institute of Management Science, Lahore

Canada

• Navid Mollaee – Assistant Professor, University Canada West (UCW)

Slovenia

• Katarina Aškerc Zadravec – Assistant Professor, Ljubljana School of Business

Moldova

• Victoria Stratan – Assistant Professor, Universitatea Pedagogică de Stat „Ion Creangă”

Ukraine

• Maria Degtyenko – Associate Professor, State Tax University

The Scientific Committee list is being finalized as outstanding membership confirmations are received.

Conference Chair

Dr. Natia Surmanidze
Associate Professor
Faculty of Business, Technology and Education
Ilia State University, Georgia

Organizing Institution

Ilia State University
Faculty of Business, Technology and Education
Tbilisi, Georgia

Ilia State University is a multidisciplinary higher education and research institution committed to academic excellence, scientific innovation, interdisciplinary research, and international cooperation.

Through its academic programmes, research activities, and international partnerships, the university promotes knowledge creation, professional development, and the exchange of scientific expertise.

SDIC 2026 is organized as an initiative to strengthen international academic dialogue and establish new opportunities for collaborative research and sustainable development.

Venue and Online Participation

Venue: Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
Building and Room: To be announced
Online Platform: Ilia State University's institutional Zoom platform

Accepted online participants will receive the necessary access details and technical instructions before the conference.

All programme times will be provided in Georgia Standard Time (GET, UTC+4).

Contact Information

For abstract submissions, registration inquiries, Scientific Committee matters, and other conference-related questions, please contact:

SDIC 2026 Conference Organizing Committee

Email: sdconference@iliauni.edu.ge

Institution: Ilia State University
Faculty of Business, Technology and Education
Tbilisi, Georgia

Conference Chair: Dr. Natia Surmanidze

2026