On 1–2 September 2025, members of the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia (YATA Slovenia) attended the 20th anniversary edition of the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF), held under the title “A Runaway World.”
As in previous years, the Forum brought together high-level guests, including heads of state, ministers, ambassadors, diplomats, representatives of international organisations, academics, business leaders, media, and young professionals from around the globe. Discussions focused on the most pressing global challenges – from geopolitical tensions and the erosion of multilateralism, to threats to democracy and human rights, as well as the climate crisis, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and strategic security dynamics.
The opening ceremony featured addresses by the President of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, and BSF Secretary General Peter Grk. Distinguished speakers and panellists included High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Presidents of Albania, Czechia, Montenegro, Estonia, and Croatia, as well as the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, among many others.
Key highlights of the Forum included Europe’s future role in global governance, the war in Ukraine and its broader security implications, the prospects for peace in the Middle East, the state of multilateralism in times of crisis and fragmentation, the impact of disinformation on democratic processes, energy and climate security, and the strategic importance of the Western Balkans and Central Asia in the emerging geopolitical reality.
For the Euro-Atlantic Council of Slovenia, participation in BSF reaffirmed our commitment to fostering dialogue, engaging young professionals, and strengthening discussions on the future of Euro-Atlantic security. The Forum once again proved to be an invaluable platform for exchanging views, gaining new insights, and building connections with key international stakeholders.
