The Nizami Ganjavi International Center, in partnership with the Friends of the Western Balkans, held its 36th High-Level Meeting titled “The Western Balkans in the Vortex of the New Security Geopolitics” from April 27–28 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The meeting reaffirmed its role as a leading international forum dedicated to the Western Balkans, bringing together former heads of state and government, representatives of international organizations, special envoys, politicians, and prominent experts.

President of Slovenia Natasa Pirc Musar participated in the meeting, where she shared her views on the current situation in the Western Balkans and the future of the region.

The opening ceremony of the event was addressed by former President of Slovenia, founder of the “Friends of Western Balkans” Institute, and member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Borut Pahor, as well as other members of the Center - former President of Croatia Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and former President of Serbia Boris Tadic - who highlighted the importance of political stability, security, and the European perspective for the Western Balkans.

The event was also attended by representatives for the Western Balkans from Austria, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany. In addition, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament participated in the meeting.

The sessions addressed the impact of new security geopolitics on the EU’s future and enlargement, the regional political, economic, and security situation, as well as the role of NATO and EU expansion in stability, and the influence of external actors including the US, Russia, China, and Türkiye in the Western Balkans.

For the first time, the event included country-specific discussions on each Western Balkan state, providing a deeper analysis of their EU accession progress and current challenges.

On the sidelines of the event, the Center’s Secretary-General held bilateral meetings with the President of Slovenia, the Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, the Foreign Policy Advisor to the President of Slovakia, and Borut Pahor.

The Nizami Ganjavi International Center participated as a partner in the 11th Delphi Economic Forum, held in Delphi from April 22 to 25.

The Forum served as a global platform bringing together world leaders, policymakers, and experts to strengthen international cooperation amid geopolitical fragmentation, climate risks, and the new realities shaped by the digital era.

The Center was represented by its members, including Volkan Bozkır, President of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly; Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium; Tzipi Livni, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel; Charles Michel, former President of the European Council; Amr Moussa, former Secretary-General of the Arab League; and Kiril Petkov, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

NGIC members actively contributed to high-level panels and discussions, exchanging views on key global issues. These included the future of Europe and new models of cooperation, international security and geopolitical balance, ongoing developments in the Middle East, the role of multilateral institutions—particularly the United Nations—in the emerging world order, global economic transformations, and the position of states in the digital age.

In addition, during special sessions held within the Forum, NGIC members contributed to discussions on Europe’s strategic resilience, the future of international relations in an increasingly fragmented world, as well as peace and security issues.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the Secretary General of the Center held a number of high-level bilateral meetings. These included discussions with Zeljka Cvijanovic, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Alexandra Papadopoulou, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece; Turki Al-Faisal, Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies; and Paolo Gentiloni, former Prime Minister of Italy and former European Commissioner.

The meetings focused on global challenges, opportunities for cooperation, and the Center’s future areas of activity.

Within the framework of the XIII Global Baku Forum, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, in partnership with The Economist, hosted a side event titled “The South-east Europe and Trans-Caspian Business Summit: Expanding Corridors for Partnerships in Energy and Infrastructure” on 15 March 2026.

The summit also addressed the ongoing war in the Middle East and its geopolitical and economic implications for the international community. Particular attention was given to the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships through effective investments during times of crisis, as well as the process of European Union enlargement and the admission of new member states.

Participants further exchanged views on the Middle Corridor, highlighting the role of Central Asia, the security of regional transit projects, potential risks, and measures to mitigate emerging threats. Azerbaijan’s possible contributions to these issues, particularly in enhancing connectivity and ensuring the resilience of regional infrastructure, were also emphasized.

The session featured prominent speakers, including:

• Alasdair Ross, Global Affairs Editor, The Economist
• Amre Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab League (2001–2011); Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt (1991–2001)
• Yves Leterme, Former Prime Minister of Belgium (2008; 2009–2011)
• Rafael Dezcallar Mazarredo, Former Ambassador of Spain to Ethiopia, Germany, and the People’s Republic of China
• Eduards Stiprais, EU Special Representative for Central Asia
• Alkis Drakinos, Director and Regional Head for the Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia), EBRD
• Ata Koseoglu, Chairman, Rothschild & Co Turkey

The side event served as an important platform for advancing dialogue and fostering strategic partnerships in energy and infrastructure across key regions.

Within the framework of the XIII Global Baku Forum, the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, in partnership with the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), hosted a high-level side event titled “Addressing Global Turbulence” on 15 March 2026 in Baku.

The event addressed the growing complexity of global challenges, highlighting how multiple crises-ranging from geopolitical conflicts and technological disruption to climate change and declining human security-are unfolding simultaneously. Discussions emphasized that the current international system is facing unprecedented pressure, with traditional governance frameworks struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving global dynamics.

The program featured an opening session followed by a series of thematic discussions covering key dimensions of global turbulence. These included “Global Turbulence: Understanding the Moment,” “War and Conflict Turbulence,” and “Technology and Sovereignty Turbulence,” where participants explored the drivers of instability and the implications for global governance and international cooperation.

Additional sessions focused on “Climate Change and Global Water Systems,” organized in partnership with the COP29 Presidency, and “Human Security Turbulence,” addressing the impact of inequality, displacement, and social instability on societies worldwide.

The event brought together prominent global leaders, policymakers, and experts, including Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Garry Jacobs, Rebeca Grynspan, Amre Moussa, Yves Leterme, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Mukhtar Babayev, and Lin Yifu, among others.

The side event concluded with a high-level closing session on leadership implications, emphasizing the need for renewed approaches to global governance, stronger international cooperation, and adaptive leadership to navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

As a follow-up, a comprehensive report on “Addressing Global Turbulence” will be prepared and presented, reflecting the key insights and recommendations discussed during the event.