Berlin Process Western Balkans 9th Joint Science Conference: Science under Pressure – Challenges and Opportunities
- Symposia
- Presence
- Start date
- End date
More information
- Website Royal Society
- Website UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- Website British Embassy Ljubljana
- Website German Federal Chancellery
- Website German Federal Foreign Office
- Website University of Ljubljana
- Website Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
- Website Rectors’ Forum of Southeast Europe and Western Balkans
- Joint Statement (PDF) (PDF, 265 KB)
The Berlin Process is an intergovernmental initiative which was started in 2014 by the German Federal Government to support the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the European Union and foster regional cooperation in Southeast Europe. It involves 16 European nations and the European Commission.
Since 2015, the Berlin Process has included a dedicated pillar on science, education, research, innovation and knowledge transfer. This is coordinated by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The annual Berlin Process Joint Science Conference brings together stakeholders and experts involved in this pillar.
In 2025, the United Kingdom is chairing the Berlin Process and the National Academies of the UK, The Royal Society, and Germany, the Leopoldina, are convening together the ninth Berlin Process Joint Science Conference in Ljubljana – with the support of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the help of the University of Ljubljana and the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
With pressure on the scientific community increasing in all Berlin Process countries, so do the expectations. For all that, science can and does deliver. The conference intends to find common understanding on the following matters:
- I. Asserting the values and principles of freedom and autonomy of academic institutions, including their role as safe spaces for democracy and guardians of the rule of law and of equity;
- II. Specifying the contribution of science to competitiveness and the knowledge economy, and security.
- III. Underlining the key reforms for accelerating the alignment of Western Balkan countries with EU requirements, particularly considering the expectations of the young generation.
The conference aims to produce a Joint Statement with a set of recommendations for the 11th Western Balkans Summit of Heads of State and Government. This is scheduled for 22 October 2025 in London upon the invitation of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Participation is possible by invitation only.