Strategic Conversation with Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger (UNDP)

Past event live

Peace, Security & Defence

01Jul2020

starts 09:25

ends 09:50

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Strategic Conversation with Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger (UNDP)

The mid- and long-term consequences of COVID-19 on citizens – especially women and youth – and economies in the Western Balkans will be far-reaching. As the region works towards socio-economic recovery, it will be crucial to see if and how resilience can be increased and economic perspectives be created. This Strategic Conversation with Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will focus on the Balkans’ post-COVID challenges and the pandemic’s implications for human, democratic and economic development.

This Strategic Conversation is part of a series discussing crucial developments and creative solutions for the Western Balkans with key policy and decision-makers ahead of our annual Balkan summit that will take place in December ahead of the European Council.

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Schedule

09.30 09.50

Strategic Conversation with Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger - Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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Expand Strategic Conversation with Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger - Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Which short- and long-term measures are crucial to recover from this political, socio-economic and health crisis?
How can social protection mechanisms be improved to mitigate rising unemployment, support the most vulnerable and increase the regions resilience?
What can be done to preserve recent achievements, prevent a potential ‘authoritarian backslide’ and stabilise civil society structures?

Speaker

Mirjana Spoljaric-Egger

Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Assistant Administrator of UNDP, and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS

moderator

Jamie Shea

Senior Fellow for Peace, Security and Defence at Friends of Europe, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

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Speakers

In her current position, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger leads UNDP’s work in supporting countries across the Western Balkans in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, amongst other responsibilities. Egger previously served as Head of United Nations and International Organisations Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, where she was instrumental in shaping Switzerland’s position to the UN. She combines a strong policy background with field experience and has had several assignments in the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Retiring from NATO in September 2018 after 38 years at the organisation, Jamie Shea has occupied a number of senior positions at NATO across a wide range of areas, including external relations, press and media, and policy planning. As NATO’s spokesperson, he was the face of the alliance during the Bosnia and Kosovo conflicts. He later worked as the director of policy planning in the private office of former secretary general Rasmussen during the preparation of NATO’s 2010 Strategic Concept. Shea is also a regular lecturer and conference speaker on NATO and European security affairs.