The Forum focused on two key themes: leadership and decision-making under pressure, and the institutional capabilities needed to turn strategy into results. Participants agreed that resilient institutions, strong leadership, and continuous learning are essential for sustaining reforms, strengthening public trust, and advancing EU integration.

Opening the Forum, Jana Repanšek, CEF Director, stressed that uncertainty has become structural rather than temporary. “We are no longer operating in stable conditions. Uncertainty is structural - driven by geopolitical tensions, fiscal constraints, and the green transition.” She emphasized that the key challenge for public institutions is no longer strategy design, but implementation. “We do not lack strategies. We do not lack commitments. What we need – urgently - is delivery capacity.” She highlighted three priorities for institutional leadership: strengthening internal learning systems, improving implementation discipline, and building capacity for strategic transitions.

Welcoming participants to Skopje, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, Minister of Finance of North Macedonia, underlined that resilient institutions are essential for stability and trust. “In an era of global uncertainty, resilient institutions are no longer merely a prerequisite for good governance – they are a guarantee of stability, development, and trust in the state.” She also emphasized that people and institutional culture are at the heart of resilience and highlighted North Macedonia’s reforms in public finance management, transparency, digitalization, and the establishment of the Public Finance Academy.

Governing in Uncertainty: Leadership Choices Under Pressure

Moderated by Robert Bauchmüller (CEF), the first panel examined sustainable leadership, trade-offs, and coordination in times of stress. Ahmet Ismaili, Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo, stressed that trust, reliable data, coordination, and a culture of learning are essential in navigating crises. Goran Minchev, Minister of Public Administration of North Macedonia, emphasized the importance of learning from EU practices while adapting reforms to national realities. Leonardo Badea, First Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Romania, highlighted the importance of consistency and discipline in leadership. “The challenge today is maintaining action, sustaining quality discipline, and supporting policy discipline.” He linked resilience to long-term economic sustainability and citizen wellbeing.

From Strategy to Execution: Capabilities Under Pressure

Moderated by Ajda Turk (CEF), the second panel explored how institutions can strengthen internal capabilities to translate strategy into results. Maksim Acevski, Auditor General of the State Audit Office of North Macedonia, emphasized accountability and institutional effectiveness in delivering reforms. Martina Kobilicová, Director General of the International Relations Section at the Ministry of Finance of Slovakia, reflected on her experience working at the European Commission during the COVID-19 crisis. She noted that leadership required close coordination and consensus-building across two directorates-general and their respective directors. This collaborative approach fostered greater transparency and helped break down silos between teams, an experience she described as a lasting source of inspiration. Lyudmila Yeropkina, Director of the Personnel Department at the National Bank of Ukraine, highlighted the extraordinary pressures institutions face during wartime, while Natalia Zabolotnii, Director of Strategy, Organization and Human Resource at the National Bank of Moldova, stressed the importance of continuously adapting systems, processes, and innovation capabilities. Elli-Sivylla G. Gregou, Senior Advisor at the Governor’s Office of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue of Greece, shared lessons from the Greek financial crisis. “Institutions deliver under pressure when they have already invested in resilience in advance.” She emphasized the importance of investing in people and adaptive capacity before crises emerge.

Concluding Reflections

In her closing remarks, CEF expert Alina Timofeeva noted that uncertainty has become the new normal, requiring institutions to continuously adapt and strengthen resilience. She highlighted three key messages: resilience depends on people and courageous leadership, preparedness requires investing in people before crises emerge, and collaboration and knowledge sharing are essential, as countries and institutions cannot tackle challenges in isolation.

As the CEF enters its next chapter, participants reaffirmed the value of regional cooperation in addressing increasingly complex challenges and delivering results for citizens. The Forum underscored that resilient institutions are built through strong leadership, continuous learning, effective coordination, and the ability to turn strategy into action.