From October 6 to 10, 2025, the MGIMO School of Business and International Competencies hosted a professional development program entitled “Business Management Based on ESG Principles.” The educational initiative was developed in collaboration with Baikal Communications Group and is aimed at integrating sustainable development principles into corporate management strategies.

The program was implemented as part of the federal initiative “Priority 2030” and brought together ESG transformation leaders from companies across various industries and regions of Russia.

Industry and non-profit sector experts shared their practical experience with participants. The program’s lecturers included:

  • Svetlana Gerasimova, Head of the Project Office “Sustainability Strategies and Practices,” School of CSR and Sustainable Development
  • Anastasia Tsumerova, Director for Sustainable Development, VEB.RF
  • Ilya Kaminsky, Head of the External Market Access and Trade Disputes Department, Eurasian Economic Commission
  • Vladimir Gorchakov, Head of Sustainable Development Risk Assessment Group, ACRA (JSC)
  • Daneliya Dzhumberovna, Head of Structured Finance Department, T-Business, T-Bank JSC
  • Viktoria Karpunina, Project Manager, Department of Strategic and Social Projects, T-Bank JSC
  • Ksenia Topokorova, Head of Sustainability, VK
  • Ekaterina Kopaeva, Deputy Director General, Public Capital ANO
  • Olga Amelkina, Deputy Director General, Lake Baikal Foundation
  • Margarita Pozhidaeva, Sustainable Development Project Manager, O1 Standard
  • Artem Marinin, Head of Climate Solutions Unit, SIBUR LLC
  • Oleg Kalinsky, Director, Institute of Economics and Management, NUST MISIS; Doctor of Economics, Professor; Director for Government Relations, PJSC Uralkali
  • Ksenia Kosogorova, Head of Sustainability, Delo Group
  • Marina Rakhmanina, Head of ESG Division, PJSC MTS
  • Evgeny Belov, Climate Risk Management Manager, PJSC Severstal
  • Ekaterina Lukyanchikova, Sustainability Manager, Roche Russia
  • Kristina Popilyuk, Director for Sustainable Development, PJSC Novatek
  • Natalia Malashenko, Head of Communications, Dobrota Severa Foundation
  • Anastasia Kalinina, Head of Volunteer Development Programs, Perekrestok Retail Chain
  • Oksana Kostiv, ESG and Sustainability Consultant (formerly Lamoda, WB, Mosbrew)
  • Marina Artyukh, Head of ESG Division, Siberian Wellness

Throughout the course, participants explored the infrastructure of sustainable development in Russia, the legal aspects of ESG integration, mechanisms for regulating the climate agenda within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and the specifics of green finance. Special attention was given to emerging corporate social capital standards, ESG ratings, and social project design as a tool for cooperation between government, business, and civil society.

The program also provided a platform for experience exchange between the business and non-profit sectors. Representatives of the Dobrota Severa Foundation, Lake Baikal Foundation, and Public Capital ANO presented successful case studies of social and environmental project implementation.

Among the participants were representatives of the following organizations: AB Russia, Rosatom International Networks (RMS), PJSC GPB, Lazurit Design Bureau JSC, Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, S.Y. Witte University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Scientific Center for Eurasian Integration and Cooperation ANO, Federal Center for Medical Assistance Quality Control (Ministry of Health of Russia), EkoNiva Group, Gazprom Gas Safety LLC, Sabris Solutions LLC, BCS Company LLC, Belgazprombank OJSC, Digital Economy ANO, RVB LLC (Wildberries & Russ), Myskhao LLC, PBO Svyaz LLC, DVD Russia ANO, Global Consulting Solutions LLC, CFI Rus LLC, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, AVTOVAZ JSC, Regiosnab JSC, Responsible Forest Management LLC, Progress Agro LLC, CianSung Inteltech (Shanghai), Ognivo-Trade LLC, Research Laboratory of Catalysis and Petrochemical Synthesis, and others.

Upon completion of the training, more than 100 participants acquired a comprehensive understanding of ESG methodologies, gained practical skills in the development and implementation of ESG strategies, and were awarded MGIMO state-recognized professional development certificates.

At the closing session, representatives of the Lake Baikal Foundation and MGIMO School of Business announced the launch of a new educational initiative in 2026, focusing on international aspects of climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.

The “Business Management Based on ESG Principles” program reaffirms the growing role of cooperation between academia and business in building professional competencies essential for the sustainable development of the economy and society.

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