Regional ESG Conference: Building Resilience in a Changing World • AmCham

Join us at the Regional ESG Conference “Building Resilience in a Changing World” organized on June 3rd and 4th in Skopje, at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel!

AmChams from across the Western Balkans are joining forces to host a landmark ESG event, bringing together business leaders and sustainability experts from the region, to explore how to build more resilient, future-ready corporate sector.

The conference will feature keynote sessions from renowned thought leaders including:
🔹 Dr Sebastian Dunnett – Senior Programme Officer, Nature Economy, UNEP-WCMC
🔹 Dr Dejan Valentinčič – Head of Centre for Social Science Research, ASEF
🔹 Ms. Katja Bechtel – Senior Advisor on Business Integrity, Transparency International, and others.

Please find the Draft Agenda of the conference on this link.

Participation in the conference is free of charge for AmCham members, while participation fee for non-members is 120 EUR + VAT.

Keynote Speakers:

Conference Agenda:

Regional ESG Conference:

Building Resilience in a Changing World

June 03 and 04, 2025, Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton, Skopje, North Macedonia

Agenda

Tuesday, June 03
18:00 – 20:00	Welcome Cocktail Reception hosted by Philip Morris
	Address: PMI premises, Maksim Gorki 13 (This reception is by invitation only)

Wednesday, June 04
	Regional Conference
	Address: Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton, Bulevar ASNOM 17

08:00 – 09:00	Registration & Welcome Coffee

09:00 – 09:15	Opening Remarks Mr. Zhivko Mukaetov, Board of Directors, AmCham North Macedonia Mr. Fatih Türkmenoğlu, Country Head, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – North Macedonia

09:15 – 10:15	Session 1 Why Action Matters: Three Letters, Three Stories

	Keynote Address (20 min) Environmental Story: The Business Case for Nature Biodiversity loss is rapidly undermining the ecosystems vital to food, water, and economic stability – making nature preservation not just an environmental duty, but a strategic business imperative. How can companies assess nature-related risks, integrate biodiversity into corporate strategy, and contribute to ecosystem restoration to build resilience and ensure long-term value creation? Speaker: Dr Sebastian Dunnett Senior Programme Officer, Nature Economy UNEP-WCMC Mr. Dunnett is a nature scientist at UNEP-WCMC, a global centre of excellence on biodiversity, working at the interface of science, policy and practice to help tackle the global nature crisis. He has a PhD in renewable energy and biodiversity and over ten years of experience in environmental research, policy, and advocacy.


	Keynote Address (20 min) Social Story: The Migration of Talent – Brain Drain With the highest brain drain rates in Europe, Western Balkan countries face a significant challenge in retaining talent. What does this trend mean for both societies and businesses, and why is it important to implement actionable corporate strategies to mitigate its impact? Speaker: Dr Dejan Valentinčič Head of the Centre for Social Science Research American Slovenian Education Foundation Prof. Valentinčič is a recognized lawyer and a researcher, who`s primary fields of research, teaching, and writing include minority law, migration policies, and interethnic integration. Between 2019 and 2021, he led a research project titled “Mitigating the Consequences of Brain Drain and Strengthening the Mechanism of Brain Circulation”. From 2020 to 2022, he has served as State Secretary at the Government Office for Slovenians Abroad.

	Keynote Address (20 min) Governance Story: The Role of Governance and Ethical Leadership In a global landscape shaped by geopolitical volatility, institutional weakness, and eroding public trust, uncertainty poses a direct risk to investment and sustainable growth. How can anti-corruption efforts and transparent practices strengthen stakeholder trust, mitigate risks, and help secure long-term value creation in an increasingly complex environment? Speaker: Ms. Katja Bechtel Senior Advisor, Business Integrity Transparency International Ms. Bechtel is an experienced leader and a passionate advocate for transparency, business integrity, and multi-stakeholder action. In her professional experience, she has been committed to turning global sustainability objectives into tangible outcomes in key international forums such as the UN, OECD, WEF, and G20/B20. From 2019 to 2023, she has been the lead of World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI).

10:15 – 11:15	Session 2 ESG in EU Regulatory Landscape: Key Implications for Companies in the Western Balkans This session will offer insights into the latest ESG regulatory developments in the EU, with a particular focus on the recently introduced Omnibus Package. It will also provide a deeper understanding of the political processes shaping ESG legislation and examine how these changes impact businesses operating in the Western Balkans.

	Presentation and Panel Discussion (60 min) EU ESG Requirements and Their Impact on Western Balkan Economies Presenter and Moderator: Mr. Savin Dyankov Director, SEE Finance Function Transformation and Accounting Advisory Lead PwC Panelists: Mr. Dimitar Ristovski, Alkaloid Mr. Dritan Nako, Antea Cement / Titan Group Mr. Edouard Coppieters, AmCham EU (online) Ms. Elena Stoičkova, Atlantic Grupa

11:15 – 11:45	Networking Coffee Break

11:45 – 12:45	Session 3: Panel Discussion (60 min) Businesses Leading Environmental Transition This session will explore how businesses are integrating sustainability into their operations to reduce environmental impact and drive long-term value, in areas such as waste management, renewable energy and biodiversity protection. The panel will also address key challenges businesses are facing on their sustainability journey and discuss solutions for overcoming them. Moderator: Mr. Marjan Stojiljković Managing Director Climate Lens Advisors Panelists: Mr. Boyan Rashev, Ernst & Young denkstatt EOOD Ms. Frosina Geceva Kocova, Makedonski Telekom Ms. Frosina Islami, Coca-Cola HBC Ms. Jelena Petljanski, Ball Packaging Europe

12:45 – 14:00	Lunch

14:00 – 15:00	Session 4: Panel Discussion (60 min) Empowering Communities Through Business Action This session will explore how businesses can help build stronger and more resilient communities by actively addressing social challenges through support for vulnerable groups, entrepreneurship, healthcare, social protection systems, education, and more. Moderator: Ms. Natasa Kostovska Audit Partner Grant Thornton Panelists: Ms. Aneta Petrovska-Rusomaroski, EVN Macedonia Ms. Brankica Tolevska, A1 Macedonia Ms. Marija Savić, Intesa Foundation Philanthropic Organisation Ms. Tijana Koprivica, Delta Holding

15:00 – 15:30	Session 5: Dialogue (30 minutes) Restoring Trust by Ensuring Responsible Corporate Governance This session will explore how responsible corporate governance underpins market trust and investor confidence. Through a practical legal and capital market lens, the speakers will examine how weak governance structures, illustrated by cases such as greenwashing, can trigger reputational and legal consequences as well as how transparency, ESG expectations, and institutional actions are evolving to strengthen accountability across the region. Speakers: Mr. Ivan Shteriev Chief Executive Officer Macedonian Stock Exchange AD Skopje Mr. Bogdan Gecić Founding Partner Gecić Law Office Belgrade

15:30 – 16:30	Session 6: Panel Discussion (45 minutes) The Role of Financial Institutions in Unlocking New Opportunities This session will explore how financial institutions can play a pivotal role in supporting both companies and governments in driving sustainable actions, including decarbonization efforts. It will highlight the strategies and tools financial institutions use to empower businesses to unlock new growth opportunities while advancing sustainability goals. Moderator: Ms. Olimpija Hristova Zaevska CEO Elson Solutions Ltd. Skopje Panelists: Ms. Viktorija Gligorova, National Bank of the Republic of North Macedoni Mr. Stefan Kostovski, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – North Macedonia Mr. Slaven Popovic, CFA, Finance in Motion/Green for Growth Fund Ms. Maja Stavreva-Stojanova, Sparkasse Bank Mr. Aleksandar Stamboliev, Business Accelerator UKIM & European Institute of Innovation and Technology

Keynote Speakers:

Conference Agenda:

AmCham Serbia

Explore

Address

info@amcham.rs

AmCham Serbia

Explore

Address

info@amcham.rs