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Culture extends the borders of our world. Let it be borderless!

On the eve of Prešeren Day, the Slovenian cultural holiday, a State ceremony was held in the Gallus Hall of Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana to award two Prešeren Awards and Prešeren Fund Awards as the highest recognition in the Republic of Slovenia for achievements in artistic creation.

Danijel Levičar, State Secretary for the National Nuclear Programme at the Office of the Prime Minister, met with the representative of Électricité de France (EDF), Anne Falchi, and the French Ambassador to Slovenia, Florence Lévy.

Prime Minister Robert Golob, together with representatives of relevant ministries, hosted a second meeting with representatives of disabled people's organisations.

In the latest episode of the government podcast GOVSI, we present the European Capital of Culture 2025, Nova Gorica, which has invited the cross-border city of Gorizia to cooperate. Polona Prešeren spoke with the director of GO! 2025, Mija Lorbek, and the program director, Dr. Stojan Pelko.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, visited Syria, where she met with Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. This is one of the first foreign visits since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

At 140th session, the Government initiated a discussion on the Amendments of the Organisation and Financing of Education Act. The discussion was suspended and will be continued at the next meeting. The Government earmarked additional funds of EUR 1,500,000 to finance the public cultural project European Capital of Culture 2025.

Prime Minister Robert Golob today attended a presentation on Slovenia's national and international advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as part of multilateral cooperation, focusing on the achievements in the scientific research and business sectors. The event was hosted by the Jožef Štefan Institute, where the Prime Minister addressed the audience.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended the working consultation meeting on the future of the Slovenian education system, where the new features introduced by the Organisation and Financing of Education Act (the Education Act) were discussed.

The President and CEO of the International Crisis Group (ICG), Comfort Ero, is paying a visit to Slovenia today. The ICG is a respected, independent, non-profit NGO whose analytical work focuses on preventing and resolving conflicts, including the shaping of policies that support the development of a more peaceful world.

The Republic of Slovenia sees the proposals on the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, coupled with the unilateral "redevelopment" of the territory, as unacceptable. Such proposals constitute a flagrant violation of international law.

State Secretary Marko Štucin received Theresa P. Lazaro, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, for the first political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon concluded her two-day visit to the Lebanese capital. During her consultations with political leaders, she reaffirmed her support for the country’s transition. She also visited the field to see how concrete Slovenian humanitarian aid projects are being implemented.

Slovenia has submitted a tender to the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking call for the deployment of a high-performance supercomputer with an AI Factory. If successful, the project will make a significant contribution to the development of the Slovenian economy, the efficiency of the public sector, the advancement of science, and the strengthening of international cooperation.

At the launch event of the Austrian-Lithuanian co-chairmanship of the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP) in Vaduz, State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development mag. Marko Koprivc presented the Alpine region's key challenges, underlining the importance of further cross-border cooperation and finding joint solutions to these challenges.

This year, for the third time in its history, Slovenia serves as a member of the UNICEF Executive Board for the 2025–2027 term and participates in today’s first regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board in 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York.

On the second day of her visit to Jordan, Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon was granted an audience with His Majesty King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein of Jordan. She also met with the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jordan, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation, and representatives of UN agencies in Amman, and visited a refugee camp.

In January, Algeria held the presidency of the UN Security Council. The month featured an open debate on the Middle East following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, attended by Tanja Fajon, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs. Another open debate addressed the misuse of commercial spyware and the fight against terrorism in Africa.

Today, Prime Minister Robert Golob is attending an informal meeting of the heads of EU Member States in Brussels, where the focus of the discussion will be on EU defence.

We can also be exposed to carcinogens in the workplace, but cancer is often overlooked as an occupational hazard. That is why it is important to prevent it and reduce the risks of developing the disease. The risk of cancer from carcinogens in the workplace depends on the type and level of exposure, the duration and the individual's susceptibility.

In Manama, Bahrain, State Secretary Marko Štucin took part in bilateral political consultations with Shaikh Abdulla bin Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Director General of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. These consultations mark the first bilateral political consultations between Slovenia and Bahrain, highlighting the strengthening of relations between the two countries.

Beginning in Amman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon has set off on a tour of the Middle East, where she will visit Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. She met with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss the situation in the region and bilateral cooperation between Slovenia and Jordan.

On Januar 30th, 2025 ambassador Iztok Mirošič attended the 2025 Ambassador Reception hosted by Washington D.C.'s Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremony marking the conclusion of renovation works at Nova Gorica Railway Station. The renovation of the railway station is one of the key infrastructure projects within the European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica–Gorizia GO!25..

The Priority Response Division has already issued 140 actions in four months.

Today, a symbolic event marked the completion of the upgrade of the Nova Gorica railway station, which began in December 2023 and marks an important step towards improving rail transport in that region. The upgrade provided the station with more robust infrastructure with more features, improved safety, and a better user experience for passengers.

Ambassador Iztok Mirošič visited Colorado state between January 22 - 24, 2025, where he officially inaugurated consulate of the Republic of Slovenia. He met with Colorado Governor Jared Polis at the State Capitol in Denver and members of the Colorado National Guard. He also visited the headquarters of the U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs, town of Pueblo and toured the Pueblo Community College.

On Thursday, 30 January 2025, the newly redeveloped Transalpina – Europe Square, an iconic meeting point at the intersection of two cities and two countries, was opened in the border area of Nova Gorica and Gorizia. At a press conference held on the occasion, Minister Aleksander Jevšek congratulated the European Association of Territorial Cooperation Gorizia and the two municipalities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia for their impressive and productive efforts in bringing the project to life.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is on her first visit to northern Europe, where she confirmed the positive relations between the two countries and discussed with her counterparts the possibilities and opportunities for strengthening cooperation. She also discussed the situation in Ukraine with the Finnish President and Foreign Minister.

At today’s session, the Government decided to continue the public procurement procedure to purchase 8x8 wheeled combat vehicles. It adopted the new National Financial Education Programme and amendments to the relief programme to address the economic impact of the August 2023 floods on businesses. It also proclaimed November 10 as Science Day – a new national holiday aimed at raising awareness of the importance of science.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals for promoting projects on cooperatives and social economy and kicking off social entrepreneurship. The European Regional Development Fund supports the call with 3 million euros.

At today's session, the National Assembly adopted the draft act on the ratification of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Slovenia has therefore ratified the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

The Slovenian Regional Development Fund (SRDF) organised the event “Regions for the Future” with a round table on developing the economy, handicrafts and crafts in the development of all Slovenian regions. The event took place at the Ribnica Handicraft Centre. In his opening address, Minister Jevšek spoke about the planned development incentives for border problem areas, the agreements for the development of regions and the Promotion of Balanced Regional Development Act.

State Secretary Marko Štucin attended the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting in Brussels, where the Polish EU Council Presidency presented its programme and key priorities for the Council's work in the first half of 2025. The meeting also featured the annual rule of law dialogue, focusing on the rule of law situation in Hungary, Portugal, Romania and Slovenia.

Today, at the 48th session of the Working Group of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, Slovenia presented the state of human rights in Slovenia within the framework of the 4th round of the Universal Periodic Review. The Slovenian delegation, which included representatives of several ministries and government offices, was led by Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.

The Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, where participants discussed further support for Ukraine, EU-US relations following the inauguration of Donald Trump and the situation in the Middle East. The agenda also covered developments in Georgia, Moldova and the deteriorating situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

On 24 January 2025, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Albania, H.E. Jakob Štunf, presented his Letters of Credence to President Bajram Begaj.

Slovenian tourism reached some remarkable milestones in 2024, outperforming the European and global averages despite a challenging environment. With a 7.5% increase in international arrivals and excellent results in both established and emerging markets, Slovenia continues to strengthen its position as a leading green hospitality destination. This success fuels optimism as we move into 2025.

In the first episode of this year’s GovSI podcast, the Minister of Health, Dr. Valentina Prevolnik Rupel, discusses the recently approved amendment to the healthcare system reform act.

In 2024, the Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia carried out its 16th consecutive year-long campaign, Targeted Control of Construction Sites, to ensure greater worker safety and improve working conditions on temporary and mobile construction sites.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a concentration camp that remains one of the most harrowing reminders of Nazi atrocities. Slovenia, an active member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which is marking its 25th anniversary, recently submitted its second periodic report.

Prime Minister Golob attended a mourning ceremony and commemoration in Velenje to honour the three miners who tragically lost their lives in the Velenje Coal Mine accident.

On the basis of the Act on Aid to Ensure Enhanced Air Connectivity (hereinafter reffered as: the Act), a Public Tender for Enhanced Air Connectivity of Slovenia was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia and the Official Journal of the European Union on 24. 1. 2025. In accordance with the first paragraph of Article 10 of the Act, the tender documentation is publicly published, however, the English translation is merely an information aid for foreign air carriers when preparing applications for aid.

The application for aid and Annexes must be submitted in Slovene language. Submission deadline is 24. 2. 2025 at 23.59

Slovenia took over the presidency of the commission that protects the world's most international river basin last December, at the regular meeting of the commission's contracting parties. At today's ceremony, which was organised by the Secretariat of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), Slovenia officially took over the presidency in the presence of high representatives of Danube countries. The ICPDR, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has significantly contributed to improved cross-border cooperation in reducing water pollution, reducing flood risk and improving the ecological status in the Danube River Basin.

At today's session, the Government adopted draft laws on the recognition of professional qualifications in healthcare and on medical devices, as well as a draft amendment to the Medicinal Products Act. The Government also took note of information provided by the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport regarding the call for tenders to support investments in economic restructuring in the Zasavska and Savinjsko–Šaleška coal regions under the Just Transition Fund for the 2024-2027 period.

Minister of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning Jože Novak hosted, on behalf of Slovenia as the presiding country, ministers and other high representatives of the contracting parties to the Alpine Convention at Brdo pri Kranju. At the Alpine Conference, ministers and other high representatives of the contracting parties reviewed the work performed, which the Slovenian presidency led under the slogan "Quality of life in the Alps for everyone", took note of the results achieved by the Convention's working bodies in the last two years and approved the mandates for their future work.

Prime Minister Robert Golob attended a ceremony at Gimnazija Kranj to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, entitled "In memoriam, Slovenian victims of the Holocaust", where he was the keynote speaker. In addition to the Prime Minister, Prof. Peter Vodopivec, the Associate Member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts and member of the Dachau Internee Community, also delivered an address.

The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development has approved EU funding for the Call for proposals to co-finance Youth Transition+ projects.

The Ministry of Finance is deeply committed to the promotion of financial literacy and believes that it should begin in primary school. Therefore, it has prepared a simple infographic to explain to primary-school pupils how the state budget works.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and Minister for Slovenians Abroad, Matej Arčon, and the State Secretary at the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad, Vesna Humar, are on a two-day visit to Zagreb. The capital of neighbouring Croatia is currently hosting the World Handball Championship.