18 November 2025, Rome, Italy

Reinforcing strong cooperation and shared reform goals, ministers and senior public administration officials from the Western Balkans and Italy gathered in Rome for the Ministerial Policy Dialogue 2025 “Partnership for Reform.” The event also marked the culmination of the Italy–Western Balkans Capacity Building Programme, a flagship initiative that has significantly strengthened administrative collaboration and advanced sustainable governance reforms across the region, implemented by ReSPA and the Italian National School of Administration (SNA), institutionally supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This year’s Dialogue focused on the strategic theme “Data-Driven and Anticipatory Governance: Shaping Resilient Public Institutions for the Future,” underscoring the growing importance of innovation, foresight, and evidence-based policymaking in developing capable and future-ready public administrations. Organised jointly by the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA) and the Italian Ministry of Public Administration, the meeting brought together ministers of public administration from across the Western Balkans, the Italian leadership, senior officials from several EU member states, and more than 50 participants from the 2025 cycle of the Capacity Building Programme.

Strengthening reform partnerships

The high-level Dialogue opened with a closed ministerial working meeting hosted by the Italian Minister of Public Administration, Mr Paolo Zangrillo, who engaged with Western Balkan ministers on reform progress, administrative modernisation, and new opportunities for bilateral and regional cooperation. Following the closed meeting, the broader High Level Policy Dialogue commenced in the historic Palazzo Vidoni. In her opening remarks, ReSPA Director Ms Maja Handjiska Trendafilova stressed the centrality of public administration reform to democratic governance and EU integration, highlighting the longstanding partnership with Italy as a catalyst for institutional innovation and political commitment. Introductory remarks were also delivered by Mr Paolo Zangrillo, Italian Minister of Public Administration; Ms Paola Severino, President of the Italian National School of Administration; and Mr Maraš Dukaj, Minister of Public Administration of Montenegro.

Ministerial dialogue: reform, resilience, and EU Integration

The ministerial round table provided an opportunity for Western Balkan ministers to outline reform achievements, reflect on challenges, and present priorities for the coming years. Discussions focused on strengthening service delivery, improving transparency, making the public service an employer of choice, and leveraging public administration reform as a key driver of EU accession. These exchanges were complemented by strategic reflections from Mr Boris Melmoux-Eude, Director General of the Directorate-General for Administration and Public Service (DGAFP) of France; Mr Gregor Virant, Head of the SIGMA Programme; and Mr Thomas Botzios, Director for the Adriatic and Western Balkans at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Anticipatory governance and the future of public leadership

The programme continued with a keynote address by Prof. Raffaella Saporito of the Bocconi School of Government. In her address, titled “Anticipating Public Transformation: Building Adaptive and Future-Ready Public Leadership,” she highlighted the need for administrations to anticipate change, invest in leadership development, and harness data and technology for strategic decision-making.

A second high-level panel, “Administrative cooperation for a common European future,” followed, moderated by Mr Francesco Leone, Diplomatic Adviser to the Italian Minister of Public Administration. The panel brought together Mr Boris Melmoux-Eude, Director General of DGAFP France; Mr Peter Pogacar, Director-General of the Public Sector Directorate of the Ministry of Public Administration of Slovenia; Ambassador Massimo Gaiani, Director for European and International Affairs; and Mr Gregor Virant, Head of the SIGMA Programme. Together, they discussed how deeper administrative cooperation, shared standards, and expanded joint capacity-building efforts can strengthen governance across Europe.

Sustaining momentum for reform

The Ministerial Dialogue offered participants an opportunity to exchange ideas and reinforce institutional links. It reaffirmed ReSPA’s commitment to supporting the Western Balkans in developing modern, ethical, and efficient public administrations capable of advancing towards EU membership. This year’s Dialogue underscored the value of sustained partnerships, mutual learning, and political commitment in shaping resilient public institutions, while reinforcing the shared ambition of Italy and the Western Balkans to work together toward a common European future.