BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 14. In Dubrovnik — a
symbol of Croatia’s diplomatic heritage, intercultural dialogue,
and international cooperation — the 18th edition of the Dubrovnik
Forum was held, under the overarching theme “Channeling
Change”, Trend reports via the Foreign Ministry of Croatia.

The two-day event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign and
European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, brought together
around 500 participants, including political leaders, experts,
academics, and young leaders from Europe and around the world.

The conference served as an open platform to discuss key
challenges and opportunities in an era marked by deepening global
divisions and rapid transformation.

Key focus areas included restoring trust, strengthening Europe’s
defense capabilities, cooperation between the Global North and
South, transatlantic relations, and the role of artificial
intelligence in Europe’s competitiveness and security.

The Forum was opened by Gordan Jandroković, Speaker of the
Croatian Parliament, Urška Klakočar Zupančič, President of the
Slovenian National Assembly, and Theodoros Rousopoulos, President
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. All
emphasized the importance of mutual understanding, respect for
human dignity, and collective action in facing today’s
challenges.

A total of 17 panels and two special events were held, featuring
high-level officials from Croatia and abroad. Among them was
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who participated in the
main leaders’ panel “Channeling Change” and held a series
of bilateral meetings. Notable participants included senior
officials from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United
States, as well as the Secretary-Generals of the OECD and the WTO,
along with representatives from international organizations such as
NATO, the UN, and OSCE.

A highlight was the participation of OECD Secretary-General
Mathias Cormann, who led a session dedicated to Croatia’s progress
in meeting the criteria for OECD accession. It was confirmed that
Croatia has made significant and recognized progress and is close
to full membership, with continued support for its reform
efforts.

Panel topics were diverse, ranging from the future of global
trade, European defense, digital transformation and artificial
intelligence, to security and integration in the Western Balkans
and new regional initiatives such as the New Pact for the
Mediterranean and the Three Seas Initiative. A panel on the varied
interpretations of Western values and the role of young leaders
from the West and the rest of the world in global cooperation also
attracted significant attention.

The Forum also featured a commemorative program marking the
30th anniversary of the Split Declaration, signed on July 22, 1995,
which affirmed the alliance between Croatia and Bosnia and
Herzegovina, paving the way for ending armed conflict and creating
the political groundwork for the Dayton Peace Agreement. The
discussion brought together former foreign ministers, diplomats,
and historians, who shared messages of peace and stressed the
importance of historical truth as a commitment to the future of
Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina relations.
As part of the Forum, a ministerial meeting between Ukraine and
Southeast European countries was held, reaffirming support for
Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic
aspirations. Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman stated
that “there is no free and successful Europe without a free and
successful Ukraine.” The meeting included Ukraine’s Foreign
Minister Andriy Sybiha, as well as representatives from Albania,
Montenegro, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia,
Slovenia, Serbia, and Turkey.
Concluding the Forum, Minister Grlić Radman emphasized that the
Dubrovnik Forum serves as a bridge between East and West, North and
South — an ideal venue for promoting dialogue, cooperation, and
guiding change toward a better future.

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