3rd Cultural Diplomacy Forum – Skopje 2025

“Sustainable Development and Cultural Diplomacy - Fostering Global Partnerships”

(Skopje; May 19th - 22nd, 2025)

MAY 19, 2025 (MONDAY)

18:30

Welcome Dinner

Hosted by the former Macedonian President Ivanov and ICAC

20:00

Opera “NABUCCO” - Giuseppe Verdi (53rd May Opera Evenings)

Venue: National Opera and Ballet

MAY 20, 2025 (TUESDAY)

10:00-10:30

OPENING SESSION SPEAKERS:

  1. H.E. Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
  2. Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia 2009-19
  3. Ivan Ivanov, Chairman, Executive Board of ICAC
  4. Mark Donfried, Director of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy

Reflection / Q&A session

Venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade

10:30 –12:00

Session 1:
“Sustainable Development and Cultural Diplomacy – Fostering Global Partnerships“

PANELISTS:

  1. Václav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic 2003-13
  2. Rexhep Meidani, President of Albania 1997-2002
  3. Erkki Tuomioja, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland 2000-07, 2011-15
  4. Miro Kovač, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia 2016
Venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

12:00-12:30

Coffee and Networking

13:00-14:30

Session 2 - RoundTable:
“The Future of Democracy in a Fragmented World: How to Strengthen Democratic Institutions?“

Welcome Remarks: H.E. Afrim Gashi, President of the Parliament
Remarks by: Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia 2009-19

SPEAKERS:

  1. Ranko Krivokapić, President of the Parliament of Montenegro 2003-16
  2. Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, Former Member of the British Parliament
  3. Davor Filipović, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Croatia 2022-23
  4. Delia Domingo Albert, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs 2003-04
  5. Saranda Imeri Stafai, President of the Committee for Culture and Tourism of the National Assembly of North Macedonia

GENERAL DEBATE

Venue: Constitution Commission Hall, Parliament

14:30-15:30

Lunch and Networking

Venue: The Parliament of North Macedonia

16:00-17:30

Special Session - Historians Without Borders

SPECIAL ADDRESS: Erkki Tuomioja - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland (2000-07; 2011-15), Founder of “Historians Without Borders”

GENERAL DEBATE

Venue: Porta Macedonia

20:00-22:00

Cocktail Reception

Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art

MAY 21, 2025 (WEDNESDAY)

10:00-11:30

Session 3 - RoundTable:
“Small States, Big Impact: Navigating Global Challenges through Collaborative Multilateralism and Cultural Diplomacy”

SPECIAL REMARKS:

  1. H.E. Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, President of the Republic
  2. Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia 2009-19
  3. Václav Klaus, President of the Czech Republic 2003-13
  4. Volkan Bozkır, President of the 75th United Nations General Assembly
  5. Rosetta Epifani, Senior Expert, Office of the Diplomatic Advisor, President of the Council of Ministers, Italy
  6. Henry Jones, Chairman of COFR Technologies; Advisor to the Arkansas Secretary of State, USA

GENERAL DEBATE

Venue: Mosaic Hall, Villa Vodno

12:00-13:30

Session 4 - RoundTable:
“Art as a Tool for Diplomacy: Building Bridges Across Culture / Empowering Creative Industries for Sustainable Growth and International Dialogue“

Welcome Remarks: Zoran Ljutkov, Minister of Culture and Tourism

SPEAKERS:

  1. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO)
  2. Benedetto Zacchiroli, President of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR)
  3. Melpomeni Korneti, Deputy Minister of Culture of North Macedonia 2002-06
  4. Peng Guan, Founder of the International Asian Cultural Society

GENERAL DEBATE (Every speaker can join the debate)

Venue: Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Independence

13:30-15:00

Sightseeing Tour of Skopje’s City Center – Cultural and Historic Monuments

15:00-16:00

Lunch and Networking

Venue: Roof Terrace, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

20:00

Dinner and Closing Remarks

Venue: Club of Members of Parliament