On March 24-25, 2022, the Ministry of Regional Development held the first two-day International Conference on Regional Development in the Republic of Kosovo with the topic "Challenges and perspectives of regional development in the Western Balkans".

The conference was opened by the Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development, Mr. Fikrim Damka, who welcomed all participants in the first International Conference on Regional Development which was held in Pristina. In advance, he thanked all those present, where during these two days the future cooperation in the field of regional development was discussed, the advancement of balanced socio-economic policies, the exchange of experiences related to practices and programs in the field of regional development, the opportunities for participation; transnational programs and cross-border cooperation projects were also discussed. The Minister said “The First International Conference on Regional Development in Pristina will be a crossroad to increase cooperation between our countries.

The conference continued with occasional speeches by Mr. Albin Kurti-Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. Tomáš Szunyog - Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Mr. Goran Milevski - Minister of the Ministry of Local Self-Government in North Macedonia, Mr. Çetin Ali Dönmez - Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Industry and Technology, Republic of Turkey, Mr. Grozdan Karadjov - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works in the Republic of Bulgaria (online speech), Mr. Amir Zukic - Minister of the Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (online speech).

The first day of the Conference began with the presentations, discussions and joint talks in the panels from the participating countries starting from the Republic of Kosovo, the Republic of Bulgaria, North Macedonia, the Federal Republic of Germany, the SWG Organization, the Republic of Turkey and the professional directorates. which presented regional development programs, policies and institutions.

The second day of the Conference continued according to the agenda with presentations, discussions and joint talks of the panels of the participating countries from the Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, the Republic of Albania, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Turkey, the Bureau for Development of North Macedonia , The Albanian Development Fund and the Regional Development Agency-RDA West.

Added value of the Conference were the professional discussions that took place within the four panels with professional participants in the fields, where they shared experiences, advanced models in the field of regional development. These panels also took on an increased role through the participation and constructive discussions of the rectors of the University of Prishtina, UBT, the University of Applied Sciences of Ferizaj, the Mayors of the Republic of Kosovo and representatives from the Line Ministries.

At the end of the Conference, Mr. Besim Kamberaj - Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Regional Development, presented the final conclusions of the International Conference on Regional Development and the work of ICRD 2022.

Minister of MRD Mr. Fikrim Damka concluded the first two-day International Conference on Regional Development in the Republic of Kosovo, with the closing speech:

"Let me thank you for your participation and contribution to the first International Conference on Regional Development in Kosovo. Yesterday and today, we had the opportunity to discuss future cooperation in the field of regional development, the advancement of balanced socio-economic policies, exchange of experiences related to practices and programs in the field of regional development. Cooperation always paves the way for new ideas and initiatives, and from this conference I believe that our countries will initiate cooperation agreements, joint project ideas and exchange of experiences.

I hope that with my counterparts from the participating countries and beyond, we will continue with this initiative for advancing regional development ''.