On this day in 2022, Summit for the Western Balkans 2022 took place. Under the auspices of The Economist magazine and in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, this summit concentrated on the overarching theme of “Building Bridges for Peace, Prosperity, and Solidarity.”

Economist Impact Events are designed to bridge the gap between academic discourse and actionable insights, bringing together an array of stakeholders from the corporate sector, foundations, NGOs, and governments. In line with this mission, the 2022 Summit focused on pressing issues related to the Western Balkans, such as technological advancement and regional peacebuilding.

A noteworthy contributor to the event was Edona Maloku Bërdyna, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation of Kosova. During a dedicated panel on the Development of Technology and Innovation in the Western Balkans, Bërdyna shed light on the region’s promise as a future digital hub for Europe. She emphasized that the youthful demographics of many Western Balkan countries offer a unique set of advantages for the growth of technology and innovation sectors.

Kosova is home to over 650 companies in the information technology sector. Moreover, more than 70% of these companies are actively offering services to markets in the European Union and the United States. The workforce in Kosova, is not only highly competent and energetic but also multilingual, enhancing its service provision capabilities.

Another focal point of the panel discussion was the transformative role that rapid technological development can play in peacebuilding within the Western Balkans. Participants agreed that innovation could be a catalyst for creating ecosystems that foster collaboration, shift mindsets, and empower communities, thereby contributing to regional stability.

The summit concluded by reaffirming the commitment of various stakeholders to harness the technological potential of the Western Balkans for economic growth and peace. The discussions set the stage for an exciting future, one that promises to see the region emerging as a nexus of technological innovation and cooperative peacebuilding.