The event began with video addresses by Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and Lu Shaye, Special Representative of China for European Affairs.
At the official opening, speeches were also delivered by the former President of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, Academician Katica Kjulavkova, and Fang Jun from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
“Civilizations do not die when they lose power, but when they lose the ability to listen. Instead of competition, what we need is a shared destiny – a new language of cooperation based on respect, understanding, and ethical equality,” emphasized Ivanov.
As part of the conference, four important panel discussions were held, and the first panel was dedicated to the topic: “80 Years Since World War II”, with the participation of former presidents: Gjorge Ivanov (President of the Republic of Macedonia 2009–2019), Ivo Josipović (President of the Republic of Croatia 2010–2015), Boris Tadić (President of the Republic of Serbia 2004–2012), Mladen Ivanić (Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2014–2015, 2016–2017), as well as Zlatko Lagumdžija (Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN, former Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs), who sent a special video message.
Moderator: Ambassador Ivica Bocevski.
The conference encouraged a spirit of global cooperation and laid the foundations for future initiatives for peace, tolerance, and shared values.
