Re-watch the 6th EUSAIR Forum, 11-12 May 2021

After the ministers adopted the Izola Declaration on 11 May 2021, and with it the new, tenth member, the Republic of San Marino welcomed, the 6th EUSAIR Forum was officially opened by the major of Izola, Danilo Markočič. Opening speeches followed from the Slovenian Presidency represented by the ministers Anže Logar and Zvone Černač and the European Commissioner for Reform and Cohesion, Elisa Ferreira. The Commissioner emphasized that “citizens in EUSAIR countries are not only sharing the sea, but also sharing the future.«

The discussion with Nobel Peace Prize and leading Slovenian expert on climate change, Lučka Kajfež Bogataj, and the EU Climate Pact Ambassador, Boštjan Videmšek was truely inspiration on tackling climate change, the biggest threat of human kind. They emphasized the need for change of individual life-styles and called for new institutions that will be able to cope with contemporary challenges.

The dedicated Pillar Sessions on Blue Growth, Connecting the Region, Environmental Quality and Sustainable Tourism all focusses on horizontal green issue going as a red thread through the forum.

The second day featured the innovative awards of Young POPRI of the Windmill of Excellence. The Young POPRI award was given to the six best entrepreneurial ideas among high school and university students from the region. The reward is the participation in a 14-day online seminar hosted by the California-based M Accelerator. A special recognition for the most creative "borderless idea" was given by the representatives of Nova Gorica and Gorizia as European Capital of Culture 2025. It was received by members of the Bioneers team from North Macedonia.

The Windmills of Excellence and the honorary title of ambassadors of macro-regional strategy was awarded to: Mirjana Čagalj from Croatia, George Alexakis from Greece, Rosella Rusca from Italy, Milena Krasić from Montenegro and Bojana Cipot and Emilija Kastelic from Slovenia.

The Presidency was officially handed over to Albania and Olta Xhacka emphasized that Albania will continue to focus on young people. With Tirana, being the European Youth Capital of 2022, EUSAIR will synergize efforts to support youth involvement in the region.

If you have missed the 6th EUSAIR Forum, rewatch it HERE

More information HERE