Previous editions

The first edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, held on 8-9 June 2017, brought together over 200 security experts, diplomats, historians, political scientists, doctoral students and master students, mass media representatives and private companies. The international event was organized in Constanța by New Strategy Center, in partnership with the Ovidius University of Constanța, the Constanța Metropolitan Area and the Romanian Diplomatic Institute. With the co-sponsorship of the Public Diplomacy Division of NATO, the Forum was set to become a point of reference on strategic and topical debates in the region. The conference benefited from the expertise of Romanian and NATO officials, as well as reputable experts from the USA, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Poland, but also from the Balkans and the Black Sea region: Turkey, Greece, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro. On topics ranging from cyber and energy security to education and economic cooperation, the 2017 edition of the Forum was the first step towards a leading regional platform on the most stringent issues in defence, security and international relations.

Day 1

Day 2

Establishing itself as a unique and significant regional event, the 2018 edition of the „Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum” was organized by New Strategy Center, in partnership with the Ovidius University of Constanța and the Constanța Metropolitan Area, with the support of the Public Diplomacy Division of NATO. The event brought together a great array of important actors in the domain of regional security including academics, analysts, officials, representatives of the NGO community, and foreign experts. Among the various topics debated during this conference are: strategic challenges, the militarization of the Black Sea and the security of the Eastern Mediterranean, cyber security challenges, EU enlargement issues, financial challenges, the development of the region through the Three Seas Initiative, and many others. In anticipation for the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council that was scheduled to take place in the first half of 2019, the discussion has also centered around the need for EU-NATO cooperation in the defence field.

Societal Security: trends and risks for stability in the Black Sea area and the Balkans

Trends and challenges in the economic environment of the Black Sea area and the Balkans

The financial challenges for the Black Sea area and the Balkans

The Three Seas Initiative and the Development of the Region

Cyber space: a new space for the next war

European dreams. From rhetoric to practical cooperation in the Black Sea area and the Balkans

Energy Security: a nightmare or an opportunity for the Balkans and the Black Sea region?

Security challenges in the Black Sea area and the Balkans

The third edition of the „Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum” took place in 2019 in Constanța and was organized in partnership with the Ovidius University, and the Constanța Metropolitan Area, alongside the Public Diplomacy Division of NATO, under the Patronage of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and the Ministry of National Defence of Romania provided support as institutional partners. Some of the themes discussed during this conference have included the importance of the transatlantic link for regional security, EU and NATO cooperation, cyber threats, climate change, industrial cooperation in the defence sector, militarization of the Black Sea region, military mobility, informational warfare, economic challenges, and many others. The event has benefitted from the contribution of 500 officials, stakeholders and experts in the security and International Relations domains, as well as high-ranking officials both from Romania and abroad.

What is Required for Security and Stability in the Black Sea Region?

B9 & Three Seas Initiative: Complementary Initiatives for a Safer Region

Tolerance or Fundamentalism? How Can Religions help Reconciliation?

NATO&EU - Stronger Together. The Transatlantic Link and the Security of the Eastern Flank

Cyber Defense and Cyber Deterrence. Home Front First

#NATO@70. Strengthening the Resilience and Cooperation in the Black Sea Region and the Balkans

#NATO@70. Security Challenges in the Black Sea Area and the Balkans

Smart Approach for Safer Cities. Connectivity, Prosperity, Security

Militarization of the Black Sea Region: Lessons for other Regions of Europe

The fourth edition of the „Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum” was organized in partnership with the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest in the unique context created by the pandemic, on 4-5 September. As institutional partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and the Ministry of National Defence of Romania supported the 2020 edition, in addition to the co-sponsorship of the Public Diplomacy Division of NATO. Following the required safety measures, the conference took place in a hybrid format, featuring both the physical as well as virtual presence of speakers and participants. The event benefitted from the presence and expertise of high-ranking officials, civilians, and military, as well as reputable Romanian and foreign experts. Over the course of the conference a wide variety of subjects have been discussed, such as: the EU cooperation in the context of the pandemic, the strategic importance of the Black Sea, NATO solidarity on the Eastern Flank, the impact of the pandemic on the economic, educational, and medical domains and the lessons learned, cooperation opportunities in outer space, and energy security in the Black Sea. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, the conference was organized in compliance with all preventative measures against the SARS-COV2 virus.

Official opening

Panel I. Strengthening EU and Trans-Atlantic Solidarity

Panel IIa. The World After Tomorrow

Panel IIIa. Consequences of the Pandemic on the Medical Field

Panel IIIb. Energy Security: New Opportunities to Enhance the Independence of the Black Sea Region

Panel IV. Why the Black Sea Matters?

Panel VIb. EU Defense Industry and PESCO Projects in the Crisis Period

Panel VIIa. Coronavirus and the Reshaping of the Global Order

Panel VIIb. The US Defense Industry and Eastern Europe

Panel X. Working together with EU Neighbors to Enhance Our Interdependent Resilience

Officials, scholars, analysts, representatives of non-governmental organizations and international experts will get together for the 5th edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum, which took place on 3-4 September, in a hybrid format.

Organized by New Strategy Center, with the institutional support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Defence of Romania, the Forum benefited from the support of the Public Diplomacy Division of NATO and is established as a leading debate platform in the region.

The sixth edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security forum took place in 2022 and was organized in partnership with the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Bucharest, on 2-3 September. As institutional partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and the Ministry of National Defence of Romania supported the 2022 edition and the co-sponsorship of the Public Diplomacy Division of NATO.

This edition was organized in the unique context of Russia’s illegal and unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine. Thus, the forum was focused on the EU’s and NATO’s unconditional support for Ukraine and how can Ukraine win the war against Russia, the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO, and the future of the two strategic documents in an unprecedented international context, the necessity to sustain the Western Balkans countries European path, the lessons learned for NATO from the war in Ukraine, the importance of UAV’s in the new generation warfare, the energy security and opportunities for energy supply diversification in the Black Sea region and the economic impact of the war in Ukraine at a global level.

The forum brought together incumbent and former officials, both civilian and military, opinion-shapers, researchers, analysts, academics, think tanks and other relevant NGOs, international experts, and other stakeholders.
All working sessions were open to the media and interested public.

The seventh edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum was organised by New Strategy Center on May 18-19, 2023. This large-scale international event is organised by the New Strategy Center in partnership with the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, with institutional support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defence and support from NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division.

This edition was organized in a context marked by the Russian aggression in Ukraine and post-pandemic challenges, which pose unprecedented issues for the region and the global order. The panels analyzed the most pressing questions of our times, ranging from the war in Ukraine to energy security, technological innovation in the defence realm and the post-war reconstruction, from a NATO-EU perspective rooted in what drives the Euro-Atlantic project today: a better understanding of emerging threats and the strong commitment to defend our common values.

Panel I. Security Challenges in the Black Sea Region

Panel II. The Reconstruction Begins Now

Panel IIIa. Standing by Ukraine

Panel IIIb. Can Europe Achieve Energy Independence? New Strategies for Old Problems

Panel IIIc. Weaponization of Food as a Risk to World Stability

Panel IVa. Zeitenwende: Turning Point of the German Foreign and Security Policy

Panel IVb. Energy Opportunities in the Black Sea Region

Panel IVc. Societal Resilience and Emergency Preparedness

Panel Va. Russian Political Warfare and Threats from High North to the Black Sea

Panel Vb. Reconstruction of Ukraine. The Biggest Project of the Western World after WWII

Panel VIa. The Balkans at the Crossroads: Stability or a New Crisis?

Panel VIb. Protecting Critical Infrastructure. Safeguarding Communication Systems

Panel VIIa. What Will Security Architecture Look Like After the War?

Panel VIIb. New Energy Sources for the Black Sea and Balkan Region

Panel VIII. How the Conflict in Ukraine Will Influence the conduct of War in the Future

Panel IX. How Can We Define the Victory of Ukraine? Objectives and Strategic Impact

Panel Xa. Migration and Border Security: New Challenges for Europe

Panel Xb. New and Old Challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean Area

Panel Xc. Impact of the Russia`s war in Ukraine on the Post-Soviet Space

Panel XIa. Strategic Thinking in Times of Crisis. Managing Threats and Seizing Opportunities

Panel XIb. NATO Defence Policy and Host Nation Strategic Infrastructure

Panel XIc. Future Russian Cooperation with China and Iran

Panel XIIa. How to Avoid War Fatigue in the Western World?

Panel XIIb. France’s Black Sea Strategy. Policy shift or long-term commitment?

Panel XIIIa. Transatlantic Cooperation and the Challenges Posed by the Russia`s War in Ukraine

Panel XIIIb. Prospects for Turkiye’s Foreign and Security Policy in the Current Security Context

Panel XIVa. Challenges to Western Military Capabilities in the Light of the Russia`s Ukraine War

Panel XIVb. Russia`s War in Ukraine and Its Impact on the Naval Domain

Panel XVa. European Strategic Autonomy in the Next Decade. Reality or Utopia?

Panel XVb. War and Disinformation. The Struggle for Truth After a Year of War

Panel XVc. Security and Enlargement

Panel XVI. One Front, One Vision, One Strategy

Panel XVII. Democracy vs. Autocracy. Russia`s War in Ukraine

Testimonials