The Regional Policy Dialogue on Good Governance and Women’s Leadership in Southeast Europe brought together over 70 high-level participants from across the region and the EU, on 1 April 2025 in Sarajevo. The event was organised by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) in partnership with the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) and Women on Boards Adria (WOBA), with co-funding from the CEI, the America for Bulgaria Foundation, and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC).
The dialogue emphasised the importance of gender-responsive governance in fostering sustainable development and institutional resilience across the region. The engaging discussions held during the event will serve as a foundation for implementing a collective strategy aimed at promoting inclusive leadership and good governance.
Key topics discussed included the role of women leaders in advancing good governance, their contributions to regional peace and security through political leadership, and the challenges and opportunities women face in decision-making, as well as strategies for collaboration and cross-regional initiatives.
In his message, CEI Secretary General Franco Dal Mas highlighted that
regional sustainable development requires gender equality through women empowerment and meaningful participation at all levels of society and the policy-making process.
He also shared the CEI’s commitment, as outlined in its Plan of Action, to raise awareness about and enhance opportunities for women’s access to education, employment, and political participation, to reduce gender-based social and economic inequalities.
The CEI supported this event in the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the CEI and RAI, which aims at fostering effective regional cooperation in the field of anti-corruption, taking into account the geographical scopes and institutional missions of both Organisations.
For more info: fabro@cei.int