Jointly organized by Maastricht University-MSM and Nanjing University Business School, the academic conference Green Economy: Sustainable Solutions for Business, Management, and Economics will be held at 9:00 CEST on May 21,2026.
The green economy represents a new paradigm that promotes economic growth and encourages innovation while ensuring responsible stewardship of natural resources and advancing sustainable development. This conference invites scholars and practitioners in the fields of business, management and economics to jointly explore the intersection of environmental sustainability and economic strategy, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and catalyze innovative solutions and best practices for achieving a green economy in an increasingly complex global landscape.
The conference agenda is as follows:
https://msm-event.nl/academic-conference-2026/.
Academic Conference Programme 21 May 2026
09.00 | Opening and welcome remarks
Dr. Diederik de Boer
Director a.i. MSM
Director Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
Associate Professor Sustainable Business Development
Prof. Liu Chunlin
Dean Nanjing University School of Business (NUBS)
09.15 | Keynote address >
It’s much more than just ‘green’
Mr. Frans Timmermans
Former party leader for The Netherlands' Labour and Green Left parties
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission
10.15 | BREAK
10.30 | Parallel session 1 | Paper presentations >
Parallel session themes:
• Break-out room 1: Corporate Sustainability and Green Innovation
• Break-out room 2: Green Finance and Investment
• Break-out room 3: Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Break-out room 4: Public Policy and Regulation for Green Growth
• Break-out room 5: Green Technology and Digital Transformation
12.35 | BREAK
13.30 | Keynote address >
Green Economy, Corporate Management and Human Capital: Strategies and Practice
Dr. Shuming Zhao
Senior Professor Nanjing University
Honorary Dean School of Business
Dean Xingzhi College Nanjing University
14.30 | BREAK
14.45 | Parallel session 2 | Paper presentations >
Parallel sessions themes:
• Break-out room 1: Corporate Sustainability and Green Innovation
• Break-out room 2: Green Finance and Investment
• Break-out room 3: Public Policy & Regulation for Green Growth
• Break-out room 4: Behavioural Economics and Consumer Preferences
16.30 | Final conclusions and closing remarks
Prof. Harald Sander
Professor in Economics and International Economics
Dr. Diederik de Boer
Director a.i. MSM
Director Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
Associate Professor Sustainable Business Development
17.00 | End of Conference
