At the outset, allow me to express my satisfaction at the holding of the first International Conference on ‘Professional Education and Economic Needs of the Black Sea Region’ and to welcome you all to Chisinau, on behalf of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). The Conference, organized jointly by the Permanent International Secretariat of BSEC and the Academy of Economy Studies of Moldova (ASEM), represents an important event within the framework of the Moldovan Chairmanship-in-Office of BSEC.  The Conference, which is organized for the first time in BSEC history, brings together representatives of the governments, academia, businesses as well as international organizations from the BSEC region and beyond, combining both high-level and expert participation, in order to discuss the interrelated issues of education, economy and information and communication technologies, aimed at enriching the public-private synergy.  We hope that this event will provide a valuable forum for exchange of experiences and success stories, thus leading to a better understanding of the significance of formal education and identifying the most important areas of research related to the connection between education and the labour markets.  I am particularly grateful to the institutions of the host country – Academy of Sciences, Chamber of Industry and Trade and other civil society organizations, international organizations, including UNESCO, International Road Transport Union, International Union of Railways, Danube Commission, International Teachers Training Academy of Sciences (MANPO) of Moscow and BSEC Related Bodies – Black Sea Trade and Development Bank and BSEC Business Council, without whose intellectual, financial and logistical support this event would not have been possible.  Last but not least, I am very grateful to the United Nations Secretary General, H.E. Ban KI-MOON, who was very kind to send his message of support to the Conference. Judging by the issues on its agenda and the participation from the BSEC region and beyond, I am confident that our Conference is bound to achieve successful results. I thank you for your kind attention!