The Nizami Ganjavi International Center in partnership with the Friends of the Western Balkans held its XXXII High-Level Meeting under the title “The New Geopolitics and The Western Balkans” from 24–25 April 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The gathering came at a pivotal moment, as the Western Balkans region faces growing political and security challenges amid waning confidence in the European Union’s enlargement process.

The meeting reaffirmed its role as the foremost international forum dedicated to the Western Balkans, bringing together 34 distinguished speakers from 18 countries. Among them were 7 former Presidents, 4 former Prime Ministers, and 3 former Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly. The conference aimed to generate concrete strategies to enhance peace, stability, and a renewed European vision for the region.

The two-day conference featured the following thematic sessions:

- The New Global Geopolitics – In Which Direction is the World Changing and the Impact on the Western Balkans?

- How Do the New U.S. Administration of Donald Trump and the New European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen Influence the Western Balkans?

- Assessing the EU Enlargement Strategy and Its Effectiveness under the New European Commission 

- Spheres of Interest and the Western Balkans – What is the Impact of the Russian Federation, China, and Türkiye?

During the conference, distinguished speakers provided frank assessments of the European Union’s enlargement process and its implications for the Western Balkans.

The XXXII High-Level Meeting underscored the urgent need for a renewed, united, and pragmatic approach to the Western Balkans, grounded in shared responsibility and a clear European vision for the future.

As part of the meeting, the NGIC presented its special publication"The Magic of the Pen: Selected Miniatures from the Khamsa of Nizami Ganjavi” to Tanja Fajon, celebrating the enduring cultural heritage of the region and the values of dialogue and inclusion. In addition, Minister Fajon was presented with a gold coin featuring illustrations inspired by Khamsa— Nizami’s five legendary epic poems—each representing the enduring ideals of wisdom, love, justice, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Secretary-General of NGIC, Rovshan Muradov, met with Dimitris Avramopoulos, Representative of the Prime Minister of Greece; European Commissioner for Migration; Former Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Former Minister of National Defence.
During the meeting, Rovshan Muradov presented the special publication on the legacy of Nizami Ganjavi, The Magic of the Pen: Selected Miniatures from the Khamsa of Nizami Ganjavi.
The discussion covered the outcomes of the XII Global Baku Forum and the future activities of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center in the region and on the global stage.

Co-Chair of the NGIC, Madame Vaira Vike-Freiberga, visited UN-Habitat and met with Michal Mlynár, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director.
The discussion focused on the XIII Global Baku Forum, the World Urban Forum, COP29, and joint initiatives between both organizations.

Nizami Ganjavi International Center Co-Chair, Madame Vaira Vike-Freiberga, met with Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, and Senator Hamida Kibwana during her visit to Nairobi.
They discussed the hosting of the #XIIGlobalBakuForum High-Level Meeting in Kenya, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding. The meeting also included the welcoming of members of the Secretariat of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center: Rovshan Muradov, Rza Aliyev, Ilahe Ibrahimli, and Asim Shahsuvarli.