The fifth edition of ESG&FRIENDS brings together leading experts, business leaders, institutions and visionaries to seek answers to the key challenges facing sustainable development. The ESGnews.bg forum has established itself as a strategic platform for dialogue that does not just monitor ESG trends, but actively shapes them through real examples, policies, innovations and partnerships.
The President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Iliana Yotova, will be a special guest at the fifth edition of the forum.
When: February 17, 2026
Where: Hilton, Sofia
This year, the focus is on topics that directly affect the sustainability of the economy, the competitiveness of business and the security of society – from new regulatory requirements and the transformation of supply chains, through the water and food crisis, to the mental health of employees, ESG risks in the financial sector and the role of artificial intelligence.
Traditionally, every year the conference hosts a world-class sustainable development expert. The guest of the fifth edition of the forum will be Prof. Dr. Jan Jonker, whose focus is sustainable entrepreneurship, business modeling and balanced transformation. He was knighted with the rank of officer by the King of the Netherlands for his non-academic work in promoting sustainability. Jonker is the author of over 35 books and approximately 250 publications, both academic and popular works.
During the forum, Prof. Dr. Jan Jonker will give a lecture on the topic: “How is value changing in business?” He will also conduct an interactive workshop on the topic “Rethinking the business model: from profit to impact and value”. Tickets for it can be found HERE.
Here are the main topics of forum 2026:
- OMNIBUS AND THE NEW RULES OF BUSINESS
- TRANSFORMING SUPPLY CHAINS
- RESOURCES ON THE EDGE: WATER AND FOOD CRISIS
- SUSTAINABLE TEAMS: MENTAL HEALTH AS STRATEGIC CAPITAL
- INTEGRATION OF ESG RISKS
- AI: FRIEND OR ENEMY OF SUSTAINABILITY
A platform for solutions, not just for conversations
With its fifth edition, ESG&FRIENDS strengthens its position as a forum that builds on the conversation about sustainability – from strategy to real actions. The meeting between business, institutions, experts and civil society lays the foundation for new partnerships, policies and solutions that will turn sustainability not just into an obligation, but into a competitive advantage and a driver of sustainable growth.
The forum will once again show that a sustainable future is not an abstract concept, but the result of informed decisions, bold investments and responsible leadership – here and now.
You can reserve your place at the forum HERE
ESG&FRIENDS partners receive an exclusive 20% DISCOUNT on the ticket price.
BTV is an official media partner of the event.
