[VATRA DORNEI, ROMANIA — July 23–24, 2026] The 20th Scientific and Informal Conference with International Participation (Mountain Economy 2026) was successfully held in a hybrid format (both online and on-site) in Vatra Dornei, Romania. The conference was led by the Mountain Economy Centre "CE-MONT" under the "Costin C. Kiritescu" National Institute for Economic Research (INCE) of the Romanian Academy, in collaboration with the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI), the International Research Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship / International Institute of Resource Information and Economics Management (IRIEM), the National Mountain Area Agency (ANZM), the "Costin C. Kiritescu" Centre for Agritourist and Biodiversity Research (CSCBAS), and the Universidad Politecnica de Atlacomulco, Mexico, among other prominent international and local institutions.
The central theme of this landmark anniversary edition was "Sustainable and Resilient Development of Mountainous Regions in Romania in the Context of Transformations in a Multipolar World — Mountain Economy for Human Well-Being and Health," attracting broad attention and enthusiastic participation from academia, government sectors, and research organizations worldwide.
Deep Co-Organization by IETI and IRIEM Elevates International Academic ImpactAs core co-organizing institutions, the International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI) and the International Research Centre (IRIEM) played a key role in academic organization, international scholar invitations, and setting interdisciplinary agendas.
During the conference, Prof. Dr. Gabriel Xiao-Guang YUE—Executive Chairman of IETI, key representative of IRIEM, and Academician of the Pakistan Academy of Engineering and the Academy of Engineering Sciences of Ukraine—delivered a keynote speech entitled "Culture, Education, and Mountainous Identity: Drivers for the Sustainable Survival of Mountain Settlements — A Perspective Based on the 'Five Mentors System'", providing a fresh international perspective on mountain ecology and economic development in a multipolar world.
Distinguished Romanian Academicians and Renowned Professors Keynote the EventThe conference brought together top scientific leaders in Romania, with the academic committee and opening ceremonies led by multiple Academicians of the Romanian Academy and eminent professors:
Academicians Lineup:
Academician Cristian HERA (Agricultural and Forestry Section, Romanian Academy)
Academician Ion Paun OTIMAN (Honorary President of CE-MONT Scientific Committee)
Academician Ioan Aurel POP (President of the Romanian Academy)
Academician Ioan DUMITRACHE
Dr. Ionel POPA (Academician, ASAS)
Prominent Professors & Scholars:
Prof. Dr. Luminita CHIVU, General Director of INCE, Romanian Academy
Prof. Dr. Radu REY, Honorary Director of CE-MONT and Honorary Member of the Romanian Academy
Prof. Dr. Ioan SURDU, Director of CE-MONT
Prof. Dr. Liviu GACEU and Prof. Dr. Romulus GRUIA from Transilvania University of Brasov
Prof. Dr. Florin STANICA, President of the Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (ASAS)
Key government policymakers also attended and delivered opening remarks, including Dr. Petre DAEA, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Romania, and Gheorghe HIRLAV, General Director of the National Mountain Area Agency (ANZM).
Global Scholars Gather to Shape the Future of Mountain Economy and EcologyDemonstrating high international engagement, the event hosted researchers, experts, and postdocs from 11 countries—including Romania, China, Sri Lanka, Italy, Albania, Moldova, Mexico, the United States, Cameroon, Yemen, and Hungary—who presented their latest research findings either on-site or online.
Discussions revolved around cutting-edge topics such as "Food Waste Trends and Circular Economy Solutions," "Mountain Products and the Silver Economy 4.0 Paradigm," "Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Driving Mountain Development," "Digital Governance, Blockchain, and AI Applications in Mountain Finance," and "Plant Active Compounds and Human Health".
The successful convening of the 20th edition not only solidified Romania's academic leadership in mountain economics and ecological preservation, but also highlighted the international leadership of IETI and IRIEM in advancing cross-disciplinary global cooperation and sustainable mountain development.