Swedish experiences in leading the green transition
A joint conference titled “Sustainable Partnerships Between Sweden and Serbia – Swedish Knowledge Leading the Green Transition” was held in Belgrade, organized by the Embassy of Sweden and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
The goal of the conference was to strengthen trade and cooperation between Sweden and Serbia and to identify synergies between development cooperation and trade promotion. Special emphasis was placed on Sweden’s new foreign trade strategy and the reform agenda of development cooperation, which strongly supports ongoing reforms in Serbia. In addition, enhancing transparency in public procurement and combating corruption were highlighted as key steps for a successful green transition in Serbia and for strengthening trade relations with Sweden and the European Union (EU).
- By bringing together key stakeholders in one place, we aim to create a dynamic platform for economic cooperation and shared prosperity. Serbia’s reform agenda is crucial for improving the economy, business environment, and digital transformation. Sweden strongly supports these reforms, which are fully aligned with our foreign trade strategy and development cooperation goals, said Charlotte Sammelin, Ambassador of Sweden to the Republic of Serbia, at the opening of the conference.
- The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia is a leader in the country’s green transformation, and we are grateful for the opportunity to organize this event together with Team Sweden and to promote the green agenda. The symbolism and message of this partnership are powerful – a country leading the green transition within the EU is cooperating with an institution that plays a key role in promoting and implementing the green agenda in Serbia. Learning from Swedish companies and institutions in areas such as green technology, energy transition, and the circular economy is a valuable experience for domestic companies – in terms of both knowledge and technology transfer, as well as boosting their competitiveness in EU supply chains, said Dr. Radman Šelmić, Advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
The conference was officially opened by Jessica Roswall, Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs.
“Sweden’s unwavering support for Serbia’s EU membership confirms our commitment to peace, democracy, security, stability, and prosperity in Europe. With more than €300 million invested since 1998, significant progress has been made in economic development, digital transformation, skills development, and the rule of law. This conference marks a key moment for establishing new partnerships between Swedish and Serbian companies and further strengthening economic ties, steering sustainable development and international cooperation in Serbia,” the Swedish Minister emphasized.
Violeta Jovanović, Executive Director of NALED, welcomed the initiative to strengthen economic ties between Sweden and Serbia, highlighting the importance of knowledge exchange and support in green and digital transition, renewable energy, and environmental policy. She thanked the Swedish Government for nearly three decades of consistent support for reforms in Serbia, particularly in the areas of good governance, gender equality, and local development, which contribute to the alignment with EU standards.
The closing remarks were delivered by Maja Zorić, Trade and Investment Commissioner at Business Sweden, and Johanna Brismar Skoog, Ambassador at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. They emphasized that Sweden’s experience and leadership in the green transition, combined with strategic investments and international cooperation, can play a key role in guiding Serbia’s sustainable development, increasing trade, and supporting its EU integration process.
The conference highlighted the strong connection between Sweden’s foreign trade strategy and Serbia’s reform agenda, with a focus on transparency, anti-corruption, and sustainable practices.
Strong interest from public administration, local governments, and the business community confirms that this event has laid the foundation for growing trade and institutional cooperation. Sweden will continue to provide steadfast support to Serbia’s sustainable growth and international collaboration, paving the way for further EU integration.
