The VI. Annual Forum and Ministerial Meeting of the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-regional Strategy

The Slovenian Presidency of EU Strategy for Adriatic and Ionian Region puts green integration at the forefront with activities to improve the quality of life in the coastal area and hinterland. Slovenia calls for joint measures, taking into account the ecosystem service of the sea, the coast and the entire Adriatic and Ionian region.

The 6th Forum was the closing moment of the Slovene Presidency of EUSAIR as well as of the Adriatic Ionian Initiative Chairmanship and more than 5,000 active participants took part during the two days of the event.

A panel entitled Towards Green and Circular Economy with Ladeja G. Košir, was held at the forum to bring a perspective on new growth strategy plans to make the EU's economy sustainable by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities and making the transition just and inclusive for all. The participating panelists were also Peter Grk, Western Balkan Coordinator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Slovenia, Aleš Gnamuš, Senior Expert RTDI & Smart Specialisation, Environment, Energy & Sustainable Mobility, EC JRC  and Tomaž Rodič, Director, Centre of Excellence for Space Sciences and Technologies Space-SI.

The panelists opened the topics of the role of governments and bringing the agenda to the table also during the slovene EU Council Presidency. How research, smart specialization & green innovation and data obtained from space can connect the stakeholders and accelerate the process. Importance of network governance, connecting the dots and orchestrating the systemic transformation that is ahead of us.
We heard the succesful circular economy business case of AquafilSLO including the new bio-based innitiative they partner in project EFFECTIVE. Opportunities that Interreg Europe projects like BlueFasma and Circular 4.0 can bring in order to help the region in its green and circular transition.
"Our region can be a frontrunner – we can be on a good way to be resilient, green, sustainable, just by connecting all the knowledge, practices and the ambition that is already there. Let's collaborate and jointly go into the recovery – and make it green, circular and sustainable for the region!" concluded Ladeja G. Košir.

Video recording from the panel TOWARDS A GREEN AND CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN THE ADRIATIC AND IONIAN REGION is available here.

You can find the presentations on this link.

Final Slovene EUSAIR presidency report you can find here.