Brussels, September 3rd, 2024
On September 2nd and 3rd, 2024, a high-level delegation from the Europe-Asia Center, led by Co-Chair H.E. Erik Solheim, former UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), participated in the annual Bled Strategic Forum in Bled, Slovenia.
The Bled Strategic Forum, the flagship conference of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, was held under the theme "A World of Parallel Realities." This year's event once again brought together a diverse range of political, business, academic, and thought leaders to engage in objective and rational discussions on pressing issues related to foreign and security policy, the green transition, and other challenges facing Europe.
Notable participants included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, and several European prime ministers, such as Slovenia's Robert Golob, Albania's Edi Rama, Serbia's Miloš Vučević, and Croatia's Andrej Plenković.
Co-Chair Mr. Solheim participated in two panels.
During the panel discussion on "Strategic Green: Accelerating the Energy Transition to Strengthen Strategic Autonomy and Resilience," Mr. Erik Solheim joined a distinguished group of speakers, including Sabrina Schulz, Climate Security Fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations; Gaudi Singh, Deputy Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Ana Stanic, English Solicitor Advocate; Christian Zinglersen, Director of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER); and Maciej Bukowski, Non-resident Fellow with the Digital Innovation Initiative Program, to discuss the future of the green transition.
Mr. Solheim underscored the importance of an effective industrial policy to drive the transition, urged European leaders to embrace competition with China, and advocated for a partnership-based approach to foster collaboration and innovation.
During the panel on "Peace and Prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the World," Mr. Erik Solheim engaged in a discussion with Shin Kak-Soo, former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea; Lieutenant General (ret.) Koichi Isobe, Distinguished Senior Fellow (Non-Resident) at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation; and Henry Huiyao Wang, Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization. The panel focused on the way forward in the Indo-Pacific region.
Drawing on his extensive experience as a peace negotiator—including his role as the main facilitator of the peace process in Sri Lanka from 1998 to 2005 and his contributions to peace efforts in Myanmar—Mr. Solheim argued that the Indo-Pacific,"the most peaceful region in the world," should not be viewed through a "security lens." Instead, he emphasized the importance of building effective partnerships to address shared challenges.
Matic Gajsek, Director for Europe at the Europe-Asia Center, regarded the Forum as a resounding success: "The Forum was executed flawlessly, providing a platform for critical discussions on the future of Europe in an era of uncertainty. I particularly commend the organizers for incorporating diverse viewpoints, which undoubtedly made this event an unforgettable and deeply inspiring experience for all of us."
For press enquiries:
Jonathan Schwestka, Deputy Director for Europe, Europe – Asia Center
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