BSF Panel 10: Region-to-Region cooperation – Opportunities for the Central and Southeastern Europe (BFPE in partnership with Central European Initiative)
Discussion points:
- What is the role of the national governments in establishing regional cooperation?
- What are the plans for the post-COVID recovery in respective countries?
- What could be the role for regional organizations? Knowledge brokers, facilitators, advocates, or more?
Regional cooperation was among the most powerful tools in fighting the impacts of the COVID- 19. Support provided by regional organizations, among them CEI, remained of crucial importance in these difficult times.
“Successful integration, sustainable development and recovery would present a strong antidote to the resurgence of nationalism and the creation of dividing lines in Europe”, said CEI Secretary General Roberto Antonione. Development that is sustainable, inclusive, and locally owned, while taking into account the needs of the youth and marginalized groups, is in the best interest of the region’s societies.
One way to better respond to this multitude of crises is through reinvigorated and effective multilateralism, also at the regional level. In particular, CEI-WHO/EUROPE cooperation presented a way for stepping up regional coordination and mitigating the impact of the pandemic.
The panel will thus seek to answer the question what is the role of the national governments in establishing regional cooperation, what are the plans for the post-COVID recovery in respective countries? What is the role for regional organizations? Knowledge brokers, facilitators, advocates, or more?