The Skopje Security Forum 2026 will take place in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 15 June 2026, bringing together leading policymakers, diplomats, military experts, security practitioners, and scholars from across Europe and beyond. The Forum is jointly organized by the University St. Kliment Ohridski – Bitola and the University of Tetova. The Institute for National and International Security (INIS) is proud to serve as a co-organizer and strategic partner of the Forum, continuing its active role in shaping regional and international security dialogue through its involvement in major security forums across Europe, including the Belgrade Security and Intelligence Forum, Krakow Security Forum, Zagreb Security Forum, and Security Forum Banská Bystrica.

Under the theme “Architects of Stability: The Security Identity of the Western Balkans,” the Forum will address some of the most pressing security issues facing Europe and the Western Balkans, including geopolitical competition, hybrid threats, resilience, disinformation, energy security, and the future of European security architecture.

Distinguished Speakers and Participants

Opening Session

• Afrim Gashi (TBC)
• Bekim Sali (TBC)
• Timčo Mucunski (TBC)
• Goran Ilik
• Jusuf Zejneli
• Ben Nupnau
• Vivian Aisen
• Aleksandar Ivanov

Keynote Speaker

• Julian Chifu

Panel I

Geopolitics of the Western Balkans and the Idea of European Security: Identification of the Region

• Jowanka Jakubek-Lalik
• Zhidas Daskalovski
• Darko Trifunović
• Eyal Calif
• Julian Chifu

Moderator:

• Xhabir Derala

Panel II

The Clash of Big Powers at Europe’s Periphery

• Jagannath Panda
• Vesna Poposka
• Vasko Naumovski
• Shaul Shay
• Fatmir Xheladini

Moderator:

• Viktorija Chavkoska

Panel III

Resilience, Polycrises and Hybrid Threats

• Mirela Imširović
• Omar Ashour
• Nikola Dujovski
• Qebir Avziu
• Shaban Jakupi

Moderator:

• Kire Babanoski

International Program Committee

The International Program Committee includes distinguished scholars and security experts from North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Israel, Sweden, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among its members are:

• Aleksandar Ivanov
• Igor Nedelkovski
• Jusuf Zejneli
• Agoston Restas
• Nikola Dujovski
• Darko Trifunović
• Julian Chifu
• Jagannath Panda
• Shaul Shay
• Mirela Imširović
• Rene D. Kanayama
• Jowanka Jakubek-Lalik
• Zhidas Daskalovski
• Vasko Naumovski

Skopje Security Forum 2026 confirms its position as one of the most significant emerging security conferences in Southeast Europe, providing a platform for strategic dialogue among leading experts, policymakers, diplomats, military professionals, and academics dedicated to strengthening regional and European security.