Program of the 15th 2BS Forum
The Age of Transformation
Scene Setter
Opening
In the Spotlight
2BS Forum Chat
EUROPE’S MOMENT OF RECKONING: Can the Union Act Strategically?
COFFEE BREAK
THE POWER PARADOX: Allies, Autonomy, and America’s New Compass
2BS Forum Chat
ALLIANCE IN ACTION: NATO’s Commitment Amid Growing Threats
LUNCH
In the Spotlight Security as Currency: Why Stability Attracts Investment
DRAGONS IN THE DARK: China’s Playbook Below the Threshold
SANCTIFIED INFLUENCE: Russia’s Soft Power by Stealth
FROM FOG TO FRICTION: Diverging Futures in the Western Balkans
Reception
2BS Stratcom
Welcoming Remarks
In Spotlight: Governmental Perspectives on Digital Transformation and Strategic Communication
Competing Narratives - Identity, Influence, and the Western Balkans’ Euro-Atlantic Journey
RULE OF RAW Emotions as a Trojan Horse of Ideology and Policy the case of Montenegro
Cognitive Battlespaces: Rethinking Strategic Communication and Resilience in a Multi-Vector Environment
COFFEE BREAK
Parallel Workshop (by invitation only)
Presentation of the Digital Forensic Center’s Report
THE OLDEST WEAPON IN THE NEWEST WAR The Power of Narrative: from Campfire Stories to the Digital Age
Future of AI: Technology at the Core of Digital Transformation and Information Environment
Closing Key Takeaways
Please Note: Slight schedule changes are possible. More names to be added. If this occurs, the 2BS Forum team will provide timely updates.
Concept Note of the 15th 2BS Forum
October 3 - 4, 2025
The Concept Note for the 15th 2BS Forum is currently in preparation and will be available soon.
Program of the 14th 2BS Forum
October 3-4, 2024
Venue: Conference Area, III floor, Hotel Splendid
19.00 – 21.00
RECEPTION
Venue: Conference Area, III floor, Hotel Splendid, Budva, Montenegro
Venue: Conference Area, III floor, Hotel Splendid, Budva, Montenegro
10.00 – 10.05
Scene Setters
10.05 – 10.30
Opening
10.30 – 11.00
In the Spotlight: Conversation with the President of Montenegro
11.00 – 11.30
2BS Forum Chat – Priorities and Challenges for the Western Balkans
11.30 – 11.40
NATO Address
Rebecca OBSTLER, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, NATO (online)
11.40 – 12.10
COFFEE BREAK
12.10 – 12.50
Fractured World: Battleground Echoes
Speakers:
Reinhold LOPATKA, MEP, European Parliament
James SHERR OBE, Honorary Fellow, ICDS and Associate Fellow, Chatham House
Martin SKLENÁR, Distinguished Fellow, GLOBSEC, and Former Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic
Victoria VDOVYCHENKO, Program Director for Security Studies, Center for Defence Strategies
Moderator:
Jasmina KOS, Presenter and Reporter, Al Jazeera Balkans
12.50 – 13.05
Navigating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Future Amid Regional Challenges
13.05 – 13.45
Balkan World: Building Future and Security Posture Amid Geopolitical Challenges
13.45 – 15.00
LUNCH
15.00 – 15.20
In the Spotlight: Conversation with the NATO Military High Official
15.20 – 15.50
Looking Back, Looking Ahead – Future of the Region
15.50 – 16.30
Allied World: Guiding Strategic Resilience in the Face of Uncertainties
16.30 – 17.00
US World: Europe’s Strategy Redux in a Post-Election Landscape?
17.10 – 17.10
Closing Remarks
Speakers:
Rustem UMEROV, Minister of Defence of Ukraine ONLINE ADDRESS
Emil BRIX, Director, Vienna School of International Studies ONLINE SPEAKER
Iulian CHIFU, President, Center for Conflicts Prevention and Early Warning
Nicole KOENIG, Head of Policy, Munich Security Conference
Moderator:
Jasmina KOS, Presenter and Reporter, Al Jazeera Balkans
17.10 – 19.00
2BSecure Aperol Sunset Aperitivo
Venue: Conference Area, III floor, Hotel Splendid
- Please note: Slight schedule changes may occur.