Between 7–9 May 2025, the ICN Annual Conference 2025 — the largest global event dedicated to competition policy — took place in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. The conference was organized by the International Competition Network (ICN). The Republic of Moldova was represented by Alexei Gherțescu, President of the Competition Council, who participated in discussions on emerging directions and tools in the field of competition policy, within a constantly evolving economic context.

The event brought together competition authorities, experts, and policymakers from worldwide jurisdictions. The agenda addressed key topics such as: the role of ex-ante regulation and ex-post enforcement in competition policy; the contribution of competition to productivity, innovation, and economic growth; the challenges posed by digital markets; public procurement and competition; the specific issues faced by small or newly established authorities; the distinct characteristics of small market economies and the dynamics of competition within them; as well as new antitrust enforcement tools.

During the conference, Alexei Gherțescu delivered a statement highlighting the important role that competition authorities from small economies can play in shaping a more balanced international competition agenda.

“The work of competition authorities in small markets must be analysed from two key perspectives: on the one hand, the specific characteristics of these markets, which may operate differently compared to larger national or regional markets; on the other hand, the limited resources available to the authorities supervising them. It is essential for the International Competition Network to acknowledge these specificities and to provide dedicated tools to support authorities in addressing the unique challenges they face,” stated Alexei Gherțescu.

In addition to participating in the panel sessions, the ICN Annual Conference also offered the opportunity for bilateral meetings with peers from various jurisdictions — an essential aspect in the context of the Republic of Moldova’s path toward European Union accession. In this regard, Alexei Gherțescu held working meetings with several representatives of the European Commission, as well as with competition authorities from EU Member States and candidate countries.

The ICN Annual Conference remains the leading worldwide forum for the exchange of ideas among authorities, academia, and civil society, aiming to promote a strong international competition culture. The participation of the Republic of Moldova in this event reflects the national competition authority’s clear commitment to advancing modern, balanced, and effective competition policies capable of responding to today’s global economic challenges.