The 20th edition of the Bled Strategic Forum concluded on 2 September in Slovenia, bringing together over 2,000 participants, 185 speakers, and 31 high-level panels under the theme “A Runaway World”. Over two days, the event reaffirmed Bled’s status as a major hub for regional and global dialogue on diplomacy, democracy, and strategic foresight.
European Council President António Costa opened the forum with a keynote urging stronger EU resilience amid global instability. He called for deeper cooperation on defence, energy autonomy, and trade, warning that Europe cannot afford strategic hesitation in today’s fast-moving world.
Other high-level voices, including Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, tackled the erosion of democratic norms and the growing threat of disinformation.
More than a milestone, this year’s forum marked Bled’s transformation from a modest regional gathering into a signature diplomatic platform for Central and South-Eastern Europe. With parallel youth dialogues and closed-door bilateral meetings taking place alongside the main agenda, the forum delivered both substance and symbolism: a space where the region’s strategic direction is not just discussed—but shaped.
