Ministers of Foreign Affairs to Meet in Sarajevo

Ministers and high-level representatives from countries in the region will meet in Sarajevo on December 14, 2009 to discuss the  UNAOC’s first Regional Strategy on Intercultural Dialogue and Cooperation in South Eastern Europe. 

The Regional Strategy seeks to establish a shared framework for countries to promote cross-border collaboration, intercultural understanding, peace and security in the region. The strategy will employ an array of policy tools to target common challenges in the four areas of action of the Alliance – youth, education, media and migration – with the goal of enhancing cooperation of regional actors for sustainable human development. 

Along with endorsing the Regional Strategy on Intercultural Dialogue and Cooperation in South East Europe, the Ministers will issue a declaration pledging political support and commitment towards the initiatives outlined in the strategy. Furthermore, a plan of action with step-by-step implementation of policies for the period of 2010-2012 will be discussed by various partners, stakeholders and civil society representatives.

This conference has been jointly convened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia Herzegovina, Mr. Sven Alkalaj, and the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Mr. Jorge Sampaio. The event will bring together the Ministers or high level representatives of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. Also attending will be the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Spain and Turkey (the two co-sponsors of the Alliance of Civilizations and strong supporters of this regional initiative). The Swedish EU-Presidency, Switzerland as a special sponsor of this Regional Strategy and Brazil, the future host of the 3rd Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations in May 2010) as well as Heads of International and regional Organizations have also been invited.

Leaders in business from the region, but also from the media, youth organizations, foundations, academics and NGOs will also take part in this event and engage with officials to discuss their specific role in achieving the objectives agreed.

Click here for a draft program of the conference.

For more information on the meeting, please contact Helena Barroco or Jean-Christophe Bas. Representatives of NGOs interested in participating in the conference and presenting their work in one of the four fields of action are invited to send expression of interest. Organizers might be able to provide limited support for their participation, in regard to their contribution to the conference and the implementation of the action plan.