Western Balkans Advance Regional Cooperation on Gender Equality
Sarajevo, 2 July 2026 – More than 150 representatives of governments, parliaments, gender equality institutions, civil society, academia, international organisations and development partners from across the Western Balkans gathered in Sarajevo for the Gender Equality Forum 2026, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing gender equality as a fundamental pillar of democratic, inclusive and resilient societies.
Held under the theme "Progress Under Pressure – Advancing Gender Equality in the Western Balkans", the Forum was hosted by Bosnia and Herzegovina under Montenegro's Chairmanship of the Berlin Process and supported by Germany. Since its launch in 2024, the Gender Equality Forum has become an established platform of the Berlin Process, bringing together stakeholders from across the region to jointly address gender equality challenges through dialogue, cooperation and concrete action.
Throughout the day, participants exchanged experiences and developed recommendations on a broad range of topics, including women's political participation and leadership, economic empowerment, gender-responsive governance, prevention of gender-based violence, combating harmful gender stereotypes, care policies, as well as the role of men and boys in promoting gender equality. The cross-sectoral dialogue and the sharing of practical experiences from across the region will shape the next steps in the framework of the forum.
The Forum also featured the international poster exhibition "Women's Rights Are Human Rights", curated by renowned graphic designer Elizabeth Resnick. The exhibition showcased powerful visual messages by designers from around the world, sparking reflection and discussion on the universal importance of gender equality and human rights.
As a permanent platform of the Berlin Process, the Gender Equality Forum continues to strengthen regional cooperation and promote joint approaches to advancing gender equality across the Western Balkans. Building on the recommendations developed during previous Forums, the discussions in Sarajevo will contribute to the Berlin Process agenda and inform upcoming ministerial meetings, where governments will be invited to take forward the commitments developed through this regional dialogue.
By bringing together policymakers, practitioners and civil society from across the Western Balkans, the Forum once again demonstrated that regional cooperation remains essential for safeguarding progress and advancing equal opportunities for all.