Slovenia officially launched the Presidency with an opening event entitled "Empowering Cooperation" and focusing on the presentation of the Presidency programme. The first day’s discussions concentrated on empowering cooperation between the Danube countries and regions and improving the potential for partnership in the framework of the Macroregional Strategies (MRS).

State Secretary Marko Štucin opened the event with an introductory speech. The participants were also addressed by Director of the Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy – DG REGIO Sławomir Tokarski, Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovenia Nataša Goršek Mencin, and Director of the Ukrainian Institute for International Politics and member of the Ukrainian National Coordination for the Danube Strategy Nadija Afanasieva.

During the Slovenian EUSDR Presidency, a great deal of attention will be devoted to improving cooperation within the Strategy, with two thematic priorities: future professions and the knowledge society, and transport and energy challenges of the region. Solidarity with Ukraine will also be in the focus. As well as being the first non-EU holder of the EUSDR Presidency, Ukraine’s term coincided with the Russian aggression against the country.