Conference
Labour migration is a growing force for economic development, innovation, and competitiveness. With the Western Balkans facing labour shortages across low, medium, and high-skilled sectors, migration offers a timely and strategic opportunity to boost growth, address hiring difficulties, and build more resilient labour markets.
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When
Thursday - Friday
15 - 16 May, 2025
Where
Hotel Splendid
Bečići bb, Budva, MNE
Who
Ministy of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue
Agenda
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Day 1
May 15, 2025
Registration
Opening Addresses
Mr. Olivier Onidi
Deputy Director General, Directorate General Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission
Mr. Stefan Olsson
Deputy Director-General Jobs, Skills, Social Policies, Directorate General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission
Dr. Filip Ivanović
Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Foreign and European Affairs
Mr. Amer Kapetanović
Secretary-General, Regional Cooperation Council
Ms. Beate Andrees
Assistant Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO)
Mr. Arthur Erken
Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, International Organization for Migration
Facilitated by: Ms. Alida Vračić
SESSION OF MINISTERS AND HEADS OF DELEGATIONS: REGIONAL HORIZONS ON LABOUR MIGRATION
Mr. Besar Durmishi
Minister of Economy and Labour
Ms. Ljiljana Jurak
Assistant Minister for Labour, Employment, Social Protection and Pensions, Ministry of Civil Affairs
Ms. Jorgjeta Marko
Director of Employment Policies, Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation
Mr. Agon Dobruna
Deputy Minister of Finance, Labour, and Transfers
Ms. Naida Nišić
Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs
Ms. Alida Vračić
Lawyer (international criminal law), a political scientist, and co-founder of the think tank "Populari"
This session will bring together high-level representatives from the Western Balkans to discuss regional perspectives on labour migration. The participants will share insights on challenges, opportunities, and policy approaches to managing labour mobility in and out of the region. The discussion will explore strategies for fostering economic growth, protecting workers' rights, and enhancing regional cooperation in labour migration. The session will conclude with the endorsement of the WB Joint Statement followed by a group photo of the participants.
Moderated by: Ms. Alida Vračić
ENDORSEMENT OF JOINT STATEMENT AND GROUP PHOTO
COFFEE BREAK AND PRESS STATEMENTS
PLENARY SESSION I: PAVING THE WAY FOR THE GROWTH OF THE REGION THROUGH ADVANCED LABOUR MIGRATION
Mr. Lulzim Rafuna
President of the Managing Board, Western Balkans Six Chamber, Investment Forum (WB6 CIF)
Mr. Mohammad Shaheen
Joint Secretary, Planning and Development Wing, Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment of the Government of Bangladesh
Ms. Biljana Radonjic Ker-Lindsay
Associate Director for the Western Balkans and Head of Skills and Employment, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Mr. Christopher Sheldon
World Bank Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro
Dr. Pilvi Torsti
Director, European Training Foundation (ETF)
Ms. Laura Lungarotti
IOM Western Balkans Coordinator
The session will focus on enhancing legal migration pathways and ensuring decent work conditions for labour migrants in the Western Balkans allowing for unhindered economic growth. The panel will also discuss strategies to facilitate safe and regulated migration, address labour market needs, and tap the growth potential of labour migration.
Moderated by: Ms. Laura Lungarotti, IOM Western Balkans Coordinator
Lunch
CATALYST ADDRESS – LABOUR MIGRATION: A SURVIVAL STRATEGY?
Mr. Ian Goldin
Professor of Globalisation and Development, University of Oxford
PLENARY SESSION II: STRENGTHENING THE LINKAGE BETWEEN MIGRATION AND WELL-FUNCTIONING LABOUR MARKETS
Mr. Vladimir Gvozdenovic
CATUS
Mr. Mario Nenadic
President, Employers' Organization of the Federation of BiH
Ms. Daniela Zampini
Senior Employment Specialist, ILO
Ms. Marija Sukovic
Head of the Secretariat, Competitiveness Council, Montenegro
Ms. Claire Harasty
Director for Central and Eastern Europe, International Labour Organization
The session will explore the centrality of labour migration issues in the world of work. Panelists will elaborate on how they see the role of labour migration as part of an adequate, balanced, and evidence-based policy mix to tackle the labour market impacts of the demographic transition. The focus is on the importance of strong institutions and social dialogue to facilitate access to skills and capabilities while ensuring the protection of workers.
Moderated by: Ms. Claire Harasty, Director for Central and Eastern Europe, International Labour Organization
Closing Remarks
Ms. Naida Nišić
Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Affairs
Mr. Diego Zorrilla
UN Resident Coordinator to Montenegro
RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT OF MONTENEGRO AND EUROPEAN DELEGATION IN MONTENEGRO
Day 2
May 16, 2025
Opening Session
Mr. Goran Svilanović
Member of High-Level Group for EU Neighborhood Interdependences
Moderated by: Mr. Goran Svilanović
LAB SESSION I BRIDGING THE GAP: MAKING MIGRATION WORK FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE WESTERN BALKANS
Ms. Sonja Bozhinovska
IOM North Macedonia Head of Office
Mr. Jason Theede
Senior Regional Labour Mobility & Human Development Specialist, IOM Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
Ms. Donatella Bradić
IOM Senior Programme Coordinator, Western Balkans
Mr. Daniel Garrote Sanchez
Economist in the Social Protection and Labor Practice of the World Bank
Mr. Mauro Testaverde
Senior Economist, World Bank
Framing Presentation
Migration in Europe and Central Asia – highlights from the World Bank’s Report.
Mr. Mauro Testaverde, Senior Economist, World Bank
Mr. Daniel Garrote-Sanchez, Economist, World Bank
How to move forward?
Presentation of IOM’s Labour Mobility Strategy in the Western Balkans
Ms. Donatella Bradić, IOM Senior Programme Coordinator, Western Balkans
Group work
Group 1: Alignment of Western Balkans’ migration policies to EU requirements
Facilitated by Ms. Sonja Bozhinovska, IOM North Macedonia Head of Office
Group 2: Circular Migration
Facilitated by Mr. Daniel Garrote Sanchez, Economist, World Bank
Group 3: Diaspora Engagement
Facilitated by Mr. Jason Theede, Senior Regional Labour Mobility & Human Development Specialist, IOM Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia
Group 4: Global Skills Partnerships
Facilitated by Mr. Mauro Testaverde, Senior Economist, World Bank
Lunch And Departure
Read Joint Statement
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Behind
the Conference
organizers
Facilitated by
the
venue
Conference Center
Hotel Splendid, Budva
Located in the small town of Bečići in Montenegro, Splendid Conference & SPA Resort has the largest conference venue in Montenegro. The venue can host up to 900 people.
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