News

Slovenia was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term, securing 176 votes in the UN General Assembly in New York. Angola, Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, India, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, South Africa, Vietnam and the United Kingdom were elected alongside Slovenia for this term.

The 13th Slovenian Development Days have opened in Ljubljana under the title Business for Global Solidarity, highlighting the crucial role of the business sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and delivering humanitarian aid.

At the October film event of the 2025 Latin American and Caribbean Days (LAC Days), Cuba's efforts to enhance climate resilience were showcased in the documentary Cuba's Life Task: Combating Climate Change.

State Secretary Neva Grašič hosted a meeting of the MED9 group’s State Secretaries for EU Affairs in Portorož. The participants discussed current foreign policy issues, competitiveness and the EU budget. The MED9 group, which brings together nine Mediterranean EU member states, has been chaired by Slovenia for the first time this year. With nine voices being stronger than one, this is an important forum for coordination and the exchange of views.

The Slovenian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, participated in the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Berlin Process in Belfast at the invitation of UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič participated in the Global Gateway Board meeting, where senior representatives of EU governments discussed priorities for the continued implementation of the Global Gateway strategy.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is paying a visit to Slovenia today and tomorrow at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon. In addition to meetings with senior state representatives, High Commissioner Türk and Minister Fajon participated in a discussion entitled Building Our Common Future, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN.

UN Human Rights Council concluded its 60th session. At Slovenia's initiative, the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons was extended, and at the EU's initiative, a mechanism was established to ensure accountability for human rights violations in Afghanistan. Professor Veronika Fikfak, a Slovenian expert, was elected as member of the Council's Advisory Board.

Today, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs marked the start of the new academic year with a guest lecture by Prof. Mojmir Mrak, a renowned expert on international economic issues and lecturer at the business faculties of Ljubljana and Vienna. Introductory remarks were given by State Secretary Neva Grašič and the Diplomatic Academy’s Head, Dr Andraž Zidar.

Two years have passed since the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on Israel, in which 1,200 innocent people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. As a result of Israel's relentless offensive, Gaza has been completely destroyed. More than 65,000 civilians have been killed, including 18,000 children.

State Secretary Neva Grašič and the Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family, Claudia Plakolm, undertook a joint visit to Skopje and Pristina. The State Secretary stressed the importance of the European perspective for the socio-economic development of both countries and for the stability of the Western Balkans for Europe. She also advocated for the resolution of outstanding regional issues and expressed support for the ambitious goal of achieving EU integration for the region by 2030.

At the 2nd High-Level Forum and the 29th EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting, Minister Tanja Fajon underlined that, in the current geopolitical climate, it is now more important than ever for the two regions to strengthen their connection and cooperation. Recalling the lessons of the past, she referenced the wars and suffering in the former Yugoslavia, as well as the international frameworks established in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

On 23 October 2025, Slovenia will present a remarkable story of integrating culture, economy and foreign policy in Vienna, one of the world's most important centres of diplomacy. Under the honorary patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, the famous Wiener Konzerthaus will host a performance of the musical Peace Child, organised to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

On 30 September 2025, State Secretary Neva Grašič addressed participants at the conference titled 'Strategies for Competitiveness, Industry Leaders and Supply Heads Chains', held at the Grand Hotel Union. The event was organised by Confindustria Slovenia, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Italian Republic and the Italian Trade Agency.

During the High-level General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the work of the UN Security Council, under the presidency of the Republic of Korea, was particularly intense. The Council devoted a great deal of attention to Gaza and the wider Middle East, held its regular annual debate on peacekeeping operations and met to discuss drone incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace.

Today, on 1 October, we mark the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme is “Older persons driving local and global action: Our aspirations, our well-being and our rights.”

The Slovenian Science Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in New Delhi, the Embassy of India in Ljubljana and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in New Delhi worked together to organise the first Slovenian-Indian Festival of Science, Innovation, Smart Technologies and the Economy.

The High-level Week of the General Debate of the UN General Assembly's 80th session is drawing to a close in New York, where Minister Tanja Fajon participated in numerous high-level meetings. In her addresses, she urged leaders to engage in dialogue, seek political solutions and promote tolerance and the protection of civilians. She expressed hope that by the next session, wars will have ended, the UN will be stronger and debates will focus on the future.

The Slovenian government has approved a financial contribution of EUR 1.2 million to support the Palestinian Authority. In doing so, Slovenia has joined the Emergency Coalition for the Financial Sustainability of the Palestinian Authority. The Coalition was launched by France, Norway, Spain and Saudi Arabia at last year's Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution meeting in New York.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon attended the opening of the general debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. On the same day, she also delivered addresses at two Security Council meetings concerning Ukraine and the Middle East. "In both cases, there is aggression – by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and by Israel in Gaza – directed against significantly smaller countries. This must end," she emphasised.