Year-end reports for 2024 have highlighted distinct trends across multiple sectors, providing insights valuable for corporations and individuals alike preparing for the new year. Recently, the Institute of Economics RAN hosted discussions centering on sustainable development and corporate governance, emphasizing how the United Nations’ global goals have reshaped national and regional objectives, significantly advancing the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda.
The event, which took place on December 17, witnessed participation from officials of federal executive authorities, the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and various research centers. Mikhail Golovnin, the director of the institute, mentioned, “Modern trends of sustainable development: management aspect,” highlighting the increasing investor focus on companies committed to ESG principles and the resulting corporate movement modulated by investor demands.
Importantly, the need for genuine commitment to sustainability emerged as a significant theme. According to Екатерина Никитчанова, co-chair of the Corporate Governance and Investment Committee of the Association of Managers, it’s apparent the national sustainable development goals are gradually integrating with corporate practices, irrespective of the state’s capital participation.
Meanwhile, TikTok unveiled its most impactful creators for the year during their inaugural awards event on December 10, showcasing significant advances in educational, culinary, and cultural content. Standout achievements were noted, including musician @adam__official, who gained recognition as the “Breakthrough of the Year,” and @skindelicious.space, led by Nursultan Kiyabai, who successfully transformed a beauty shop through engaging content. The platform continued to serve as fertile ground for creativity, giving rise to numerous trends throughout the year.
On the financial front, analysts noted the resilience of the crypto industry, with leading blockchain platforms like Ethereum and Solana progressing with scaling solutions. From institutional confidence surrounding Bitcoin to the anticipated bolstering of tokenized asset markets, expectations for the crypto sector’s growth remain high through 2025. “The successes achieved by the first cryptocurrency speak volumes about institutional investors’ confidence,” remarked experts at Messari.
Contrastingly, the tourism industry also saw growth indicated by increased outbound travel—up by 20% compared to the previous year, with Dmitry Gorin, vice-president of the Russian Union of Tourism Industry, stating, “This year, direct flights abroad are executed from 24 cities of Russia,” alleviating the need to transit through major hubs. Notably, the average price for overseas vacations remained stable, thanks to contained cost increases, though transportation still accounts for 50-70% of expenses.
Moving toward the cybersecurity domain, Positive Technologies noted pivotal shifts and advancements, underscoring the importance of effective cybersecurity—a necessity amplified by economic pressures. Vladimir Klyavin stated, “Effective cybersecurity has received new momentum,” emphasizing the trend of organizations transitioning to productive cybersecurity strategies focused on real impacts rather than speculative measures. This approach is indicative of changing attitudes within Russian businesses toward the inevitability of cyber threats.
Overall, the trends culminating from 2024 signal transformative shifts across sectors, heralding significant changes within corporate governance, tourism, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity. With so many takeaways from the year, the groundwork for 2025 appears promising as businesses adapt and align with these trends.
