Representatives of the Institute for Politics and Economy of Southeast Europe have been a part of the 2024 Bled Strategic Forum (BSF). This year’s forum, themed “A World of Parallel Realities,” gathered prominent political leaders, experts, and business executives to discuss the urgent challenges facing the world today, emphasizing the need for multilateral cooperation to tackle global instability.
The conference opened with remarks from Slovenia’s President Nataša Pirc Musar and Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon, both highlighting Slovenia’s commitment to fostering global dialogue and cooperation in an era marked by growing tensions and crises, emphasizing Slovenia’s readiness to take on a role as a bridge-builder within the European Union and beyond, as Slovenia assumes presidency over the UN Security Council.
’In the next Commission, enlargement must be a full-time job that allows undivided attention. This is why I will appoint a dedicated Commissioner for Enlargement. Let us write history together.’’
After a video address by the Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guteres, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered a keynote address outlining Europe’s role in addressing global challenges. She emphasized the need for Europe to lead the way, especially focusing on the topic of enlargement: ‘’ The vast majority of people in the Western Balkans do not want fragmentation, they want integration. And that is what we must deliver for them.…And as we have many friends from our candidate countries in the audience here today, let me be very clear. I want our work to speed up even more. In the next Commission, enlargement must be a full-time job that allows undivided attention. This is why I will appoint a dedicated Commissioner for Enlargement. Let us write history together.’’
The central discussions at the forum was the Leaders’ Panel, where Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob was joined by Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. These regional leaders explored how European nations can navigate the complex geopolitical landscape, with a focus on regional cooperation and a necessity of maintaining democratic values, with the Serbian Prime Minister concluding tha Europe cannot be complete without an integrated Western Balkans.
Amidst these high-level discussions, the forum also featured awards recognizing those who have made significant contributions to promoting human rights and democracy. The BSF Distinguished Partner 2024 Award was presented to Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who used her time on stage to urge those present not to hold all Russian people responsible for what is happening but to try and find a common peace strategy and start implementing it.
Her speech was followed by a conversation with Gary Kasparov, former world chess champion and political activist. Kasparov, a fierce critic of authoritarianism, delivered a compelling speech on the importance of strong leadership in preserving democratic values and defending human rights in the face of growing global instability.
BSF 2024 was not limited to high-level political discussions but also placed significant emphasis on economic issues and resilience. Throughout various panels, experts from across sectors discussed the critical intersection of economic stability and innovation, particularly in the face of global challenges like climate change, digital transformation, and rising geopolitical tensions.
Participants explored the role of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable practices as key drivers for economic recovery, highlighting that achieving stability requires not only political leadership but also economic foresight and adaptability. The forum underscored the interconnectedness of politics and economics, emphasizing that resilient economies are essential to navigating today’s complex geopolitical landscape.
In the “Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity” session, Mariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, discussed the rapid pace of technological advancements and the corresponding security risks. Gabriel highlighted the importance of Europe establishing strong cybersecurity frameworks to protect critical infrastructure, while also embracing innovation to lead the global digital agenda. “Security and Defense in a Changing World” session, which brought together Alexander Schallenberg, Austria’s Minister for European and International Affairs, and Kate Marie Byrnes, a senior U.S. diplomat. They discussed how European security is being redefined in light of new threats, with a particular focus on the importance of maintaining the transatlantic alliance in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.
The 2024 Bled Strategic Forum concluded with a clear message: global cooperation, innovation, and decisive leadership are essential in navigating the parallel realities of today’s world. With discussions ranging from energy security to geopolitical competition and digital transformation, the forum underscored the need for countries to act collectively to tackle the challenges of our time.
