The Bled Strategic Forum is an intergovernmental project of the Republic of Slovenia, organised by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Centre for European Future.

The Bled Strategic Forum stands in solidarity

Under the motto “The Bled Strategic Forum stands in solidarity”, the Bled Strategic Forum 2023 will be held in solidarity with the people affected by the devastating floods. The remaining social events will be turned into fundraising events. Various activities to raise funds for flood relief will be organised in the scope of the conference In addition, the opening ceremony, debates and the main concert will be adapted to mirror the motto of the event.

Fundraising activities will include appeals to participants to donate to the funds for flood relief. There will also be a fundraising concert hosted by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, and a donors' dinner with business leaders hosted by the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob.

From a regional to a global conference

With an excellent attendance of guests coming from all five continents, this year's Bled Strategy Forum further consolidates its reputation as an event with global reach In total, this year's Bled Strategic Forum will host 32 panel sessions and more than 200 speakers. Eight prime ministers, three presidents, the president of the European Council, 14 foreign ministers and many other high-level guests, as well as members of civil society, international organisations, businesspeople, decision-makers and academics, have confirmed their participation.

This year, the Forum is further strengthening its partnerships with key international think tanks mislišči (CEBRI – Brazil, Center for China and Globalization – China, Observer Research Foundation – India, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung – Germany, Global Diplomacy Lab – Germany, BMW Foundation – Germany, Interpeace – international) that have been actively involved in preparing the content of specific debates. Several Slovenian ministries have also been involved in the development of the content and are organising additional activities on the margins of the Bled Strategic Forum.

The role of solidarity in ensuring security

The content of this year's Bled Strategic Forum raises the issue of the role of solidarity in ensuring security. Crises have become an everyday occurrence. They affect many countries, regions and continents, and are indiscriminate. Global fragmentation of the international community further threatens our efforts to ensure the security of countries, regions and individuals.

The 18th Bled Strategic Forum will therefore aim to establish a common ground on how we, as a global community, can build a sustainable, resilient and socially just world based on solidarity.

This year's Forum, both in terms of content and participation, reflects Slovenia's aspirations as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2024–2025 term. The title of the Forum, “Solidarity for Global Security”, is a meaningful follow-up to the slogan of Slovenia's campaign for the UNSC, “Building Trust – Securing Future”.

Bled Strategic Forum 2023 with new sustainability measures:

The 18th Bled Strategic Forum is introducing new sustainability measures. This year, for the first time, free rail transport will be available for conference participants on the Ljubljana-Lesce route. Shared shuttle buses will be organised from Lesce train station to the conference venues in Bled. Sustainable measures also include increasing the plant-based part of the menu and the already well-established waste sorting.

Bled Youth Strategy Forum on the big consequences of small actions

Back-to-back with the Bled Strategic Forum, the traditional Young Bled Strategic Forum will take place in Ljubljana from 25 to 27 August. This year it is taking place under the title “Mitigating our Butterfly Effect”. It will host 40 socially engaged young people from all over the world. During this year's event, young participants will discuss key global and regional issues and possible solutions.

About the Bled Strategic Forum international conference

The Bled Strategic Forum international conference is the leading conference in Central and South-Eastern Europe. It brings together participants from various fields with diverse knowledge, encouraging them to exchange views and generate ideas to address present and future challenges.

The conference is the flagship event of a global platform running under the same name. The aim of the platform is to generate ideas and exchange views on contemporary society and its future.

More about Bled Strategic Forum here.