Under the theme “Strengthening Resilience in a Changing World,” the AmCham Regional ESG Conference was held on 3–4 June in Skopje, bringing together over 150 business leaders from the Western Balkans. Organised by AmCham Serbia and AmCham North Macedonia, in cooperation with AmChams in Albania and Kosovo, the event marked a key step in advancing regional cooperation on ESG standards—environmental, social, and governance.
With expert speakers from UNEP-WCMC, EBRD, Transparency International, ASEF, EIT, and Finance in Motion/Green for Growth Fund, the conference addressed the growing need for businesses to adopt ESG tools to mitigate rising risks and boost competitiveness, particularly in light of evolving EU sustainability regulations.
Amalija Pavić, Deputy Director of AmCham Serbia, emphasised the importance of regulatory and infrastructural improvements across the region—particularly in waste management, energy transition, and producer responsibility systems. Companies like Coca-Cola HBC and Ball Packaging Europe spotlighted the urgent need for functional deposit systems for packaging waste, aligning with best European practices.
Nature preservation was another key topic, with Dr Sebastian Dunnet from UNEP-WCMC warning that even green technologies can harm biodiversity if poorly implemented. He urged companies to integrate nature-based solutions and thorough environmental assessments into their sustainability strategies.
Social responsibility also featured prominently. Intesa Foundation Manager Marija Savić highlighted long-term support for healthcare, education, and environmental projects as a path to a more inclusive society. Notable regional initiatives—such as Delta Holding’s rural revitalisation project “Naše selo”—were also showcased.
In a one-on-one conversation, Gecić Law founder Bogdan Gecić and Ivan Šteriev of the Macedonian Stock Exchange discussed how strong corporate governance fosters trust and regulatory support.
The conference concluded with a panel on the role of financial institutions in enabling sustainable practices, calling for an alliance between regulation, innovative finance, and strategic partnerships to accelerate the green transition in the region’s economies.
