9th UNECE International Forum on Public-Private Partnerships and Infrastructure held in Belgrade

From 14 to 16 May 2025, Belgrade hosted the 9th International Forum on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and Infrastructure, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

The Forum gathered several hundred participants from around the world, including representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society. Its aim was to foster experience sharing, capacity building, and the advancement of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure through public-private partnership models.

The Forum was officially opened on 14 May, with welcome remarks delivered by Tatiana Molcean, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of UNECE, Adrijana Mesarović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Republic of Serbia, and Aleksandar Šapić, Mayor of Belgrade.

The first day also featured a high-level ministerial roundtable on the topic “Climate Action and Resilient Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future,” with the participation of ministers from Serbia, Montenegro, Greece, Brazil, Senegal, and Turkey. The discussions focused on strategies for mitigating climate risks, mobilizing financial resources, and implementing infrastructure solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Over the course of three days, participants engaged in panel discussions, thematic sessions, and bilateral meetings, addressing priority topics such as digital and green transitions, the application of artificial intelligence in PPP projects, and the development of financially sustainable, inclusive, and gender-responsive infrastructure models. Special emphasis was placed on exchanging innovative practices and identifying concrete solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities globally.

The second day of the Forum was marked by a cultural evening at the Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment, organized at the initiative of UNECE and under the patronage of PPP Investment. Participants had the opportunity to experience Serbia’s cultural heritage through performances by the Collegium Musicum Academic Choir, the Belgrade Chamber Orchestra, and the Kolo Ensemble, which presented traditional dances from Šumadija and Vlach regions.

At the UNECE PPP and Infrastructure Award 2025 ceremony, the most successful PPP projects were presented and recognized by an international jury using the PIERS methodology.

The public transport PPP project in Belgrade was awarded second place, while the first and third places went to projects from Senegal and Brazil, respectively. Finalist projects also included initiatives from the United States and Uzbekistan. This recognition once again confirmed Belgrade’s position as a model of good practice in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of PPP models aligned with the SDG agenda.

During the closing panel, Obrad Tadić, Director of Smart Energy Investment, stated: “The Sustainable Development Goals are, in essence, goals of common sense and we must work toward them every day. While we cannot be certain today which technologies and services will take us there, one thing is clear: public-private partnerships will be among the most important tools to achieve them.”

The Forum reaffirmed that public-private partnerships are a key mechanism for achieving sustainable development goals, particularly in the face of climate challenges, digital transformation, and the modernization of public services.

Photos from the Forum are available at the following
link.