29 May Why the Western Balkans Still Matter: A Conversation with Dame Karen Pierce

The British Foreign Policy Group is delighted to be hosting Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, for an ‘in conversation’ discussion exploring the region’s enduring significance on the world stage, and the role that the UK can play in helping to shape its future.

As the UK prepares to host the Berlin Process Summit in Autumn 2025, bringing together leaders from the Western Balkans and wider Europe, it has an opportunity to strengthen its collaboration with the region. This event will explore why the region remains so important to Europe and how the UK can leverage its long history of engagement in the region, to promote stability, strengthen democratic institutions, and address shared challenges, including organised crime and irregular migration.

As Special Envoy, Dame Karen regularly visits the region for discussions with political and security leaders as well as coordinating the UK’s work with European and other partners to sustain international involvement in addressing shared challenges. The session will touch on the UK’s priorities for 2025 in the context of a vision for the region’s closer integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. Following Dame Karen’s remarks, there will be an opportunity for Q&A.

Speakers:

Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans

Dr David Landsman, Senior Advisor, British Foreign Policy Group (Chair)

Key Details:

For full information on this event, including its time, date and location, please email eliza.keogh@bfpg.co.uk.