The eighteenth edition of the international conference Dubrovnik Forum was held in Dubrovnik, a symbol of Croatian diplomatic heritage, intercultural dialogue and international cooperation, on 11 and 12 July 2025, under the umbrella theme "Channeling Change", bringing together political leaders, experts, academics and young leaders from Europe and the world. The two-day event, organised by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, brought together around 500 participants, including high-ranking officials from numerous countries, and provided a platform for an open discussion on key challenges and opportunities in a time of deepening global divisions and accelerating change.
The emphasis was on 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.
Opening the Forum, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, the Speaker of the Slovenian National Assembly Urška Klakočar Zupančič, and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Theodoros Rousopoulos spoke, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding, respect for human dignity, and joint action in facing today's challenges.
The Forum included 17 panels and two special events attended by high-ranking officials from Croatia and abroad, including the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, who, in addition to a number of bilateral meetings, participated in the central panel of leaders "Directing Change". Participants included numerous high-ranking officials from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States, as well as the Secretaries-General of the OECD and the World Trade Organization (WTO), along with representatives of international organizations such as NATO, the UN and the OSCE. The participation of the OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, who led the event dedicated to Croatia's progress in meeting the criteria for OECD accession and membership, was particularly noteworthy. In this context, it was confirmed that the Republic of Croatia has made significant and recognized progress and is on the verge of full membership, with clear support for further reform steps on that path.
The panel topics were diverse: from the future of global trade, European defense, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, to security and integration issues in the Western Balkans and new regional initiatives, such as the New Pact for the Mediterranean and the Three Seas Initiative. The discussion on different interpretations of Western values and the role of young leaders from the West and the rest of the world in global cooperation also attracted particular attention.
Historical Reflection: 30 Years of the Split Declaration
The Forum was also marked by a ceremonial program on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Split Declaration, which on July 22, 1995, confirmed the alliance between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus paving the way for an end to the war and creating political preconditions for the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement. Key actors of that period, including former foreign ministers, diplomats and historians, participated in the discussion, with messages of peace and the importance of historical truth, as a pledge and obligation for the future of relations between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ministerial meeting of Ukraine with the countries of South-Eastern Europe
A ministerial meeting of Ukraine with the countries of South-Eastern Europe was also held as part of the Forum, at which support for Ukrainian sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic aspirations was once again confirmed. Minister Grlić Radman said that there is no free and prosperous Europe without a free and prosperous Ukraine. In addition to Minister Grlić Radman and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiha, the ministerial meeting was attended by representatives of Albania, Montenegro, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia and Turkey.
Concluding the Forum, Minister Grlić Radman emphasized that the Dubrovnik Forum is a platform with the role of a bridge between East and West, North and South, an ideal place for promoting dialogue, cooperation and managing change towards a better future.
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