The Bled Strategic Forum Enters a New Chapter

Maša Šiftar, who was involved in establishing the Bled Strategic Forum, has returned with extensive diplomatic experience gained through postings in Washington, D.C., Tirana, Tokyo, Dublin and Munich. Her work on innovation, science, the economy, energy and the environment at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington from 2008 to 2012, including during Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, had a lasting impact on her professional career. After her posting at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana, she undertook a one-year secondment to the Office of the Prime Minister of Albania. There, she gained first-hand insight into the EU accession process for candidate countries, as well as the challenges of regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.

In 2020, she officially opened the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Dublin in her role as Chargée d’Affaires ad interim. From 2021 to 2026, she served as Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Munich, where she worked at the forefront of European innovation and economic development, fostering connections and creating new opportunities at the intersection of diplomacy, business and innovation. Throughout her career, she has advocated for a prosperous, internationally recognised Slovenia; a strong, self-reliant Europe and respectful international dialogue.

As Programme Director, Marko Ham brings extensive experience in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. From 2022 to 2026, while serving as Slovenia’s resident Ambassador to Australia, he held non-resident ambassadorial accreditations to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), New Zealand and Fiji. Prior to the 2023 election to the United Nations Security Council, he also served as Slovenia’s Special Envoy, promoting the country’s candidacy in the South Pacific. During his tenure, he played an active role in strengthening Slovenia’s political, economic and other ties with countries across Oceania and Southeast Asia.

Previously, while posted to the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Türkiye, which was also accredited to Azerbaijan, Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan, he gained an in-depth understanding of the political and security dynamics of the Black Sea region and the Middle East. Earlier in his career, he served at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in France and at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva. There, he specialised in multilateral diplomacy, particularly the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). These experiences provided him with valuable expertise in human rights, humanitarian diplomacy and international political and security cooperation.

Under this new leadership, the Bled Strategic Forum will build on its achievements to date and continue its efforts to strengthen international dialogue and cooperation in addressing the key challenges shaping Europe and the wider world.