The event brings together over 100 security practitioners from the entire region and EU 

Sarajevo - The 9th Regional Security Coordination Conference dubbed “Working Together in Times of Global Uncertainties”, organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy and Ministry of Interior of Italy, opened today in Sarajevo. 

“Our region is affected by nearly every global challenge and our security landscape is rapidly evolving. Migration is not just a flow of people; it's a national security issue. Brain-drain is now a security threat, not just an economic issue. We face climate change, natural disasters, and due to the ever-growing menace of cyber threats, we are permanently under attack where our personal lives can be easily violated and invaded at any moment. We are in dire need of prioritising awareness, knowledge, and skills, aligning legislation with the EU, and joining forces with the EU on several fronts,” said Majlinda Bregu, RCC Secretary General, in her opening remarks. 

“As EU is embarking to build a ‘real European Defence Union’ and to ‘create a true Single Market for Defence’, the Western Balkans has to be kept within the arm’s length while monitoring the security challenges. Thus, our commitment to building a resilient, adaptive, and forward-looking security framework is a must. By working together on cybersecurity, firearms control, climate resilience, and more, we are not just enhancing security for the Western Balkans but for all of Europe,” concluded Bregu. 

Together with Ms Bregu, the opening remarks were delivered by Edin Dilberović, Acting Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Luigi Soreca, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina; Thomas Botzios, Director for the Adriatic and Balkans at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy; and Stefano Gambacurta, Deputy Director General of Public Security at the Ministry of Interior of Italy, who said that this event represents the strong commitment to jointly build the safe environment for the citizens of this region and EU, but also strengthen the resilience of our societies. 

Federica Mogherini, Rector of the College of Europe, delivered a keynote speech at the conference that focused on strengthening regional security cooperation in the Western Balkans amidst global geopolitical uncertainties. This event addresses key security challenges facing the region, including organised crime, corruption, cyber threats, and disinformation, while aligning with EU standards and integration goals. 

The goals of the conference are to enhance regional resilience, develop actionable security recommendations, and facilitate cooperation across sectors. Participants of the event engage in discussions and working groups on critical topics such as border security, migration, organised crime, and cybersecurity. The conference focus is also on the region's strategic role in European security, emphasizing the importance of a stable and secure Western Balkans for both regional and EU interests.

The Regional Security Coordination Conference, which has been organised by the RCC for the ninth year in a row, brings together over 100 participants, including government officials, security experts, diplomats, and international partners, to foster dialogue and share expertise on regional security and governance. It is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy.