The ceremony opened with remarks by Jana Repanšek, CEF Director, who congratulated the first generation of  PSAM graduates on completing the certification program. She emphasized that effective public asset management is closely linked to accountability and good governance and can help institutions make more informed and responsible decisions about public assets.

Jernej Videtič, Acting Director-General of the Directorate for Economic Diplomacy, Development and Humanitarian Aid at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, highlighted the importance of transferring knowledge from learning programs back to institutions and countries and ensuring that it is translated into practice. He also noted the relevance of effective public asset management for creating greater predictability for businesses and recognized CEF’s role as a platform for peer learning and knowledge exchange and as an implementer of official development assistance.

Anna Blackman, Chief Operating Officer at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), noted that effective management of public assets can contribute to better outcomes for citizens, including through improved schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and other public services.

Reflecting on the 10-year journey of the PSAM certification program, Jasmina Popović and Želimir Stanić, CEF Project Managers, highlighted its growth and achievements, as well as the importance of sustained cooperation with ministries and public institutions at the national level. Over the years, the program has brought together a growing community of professionals working to strengthen public asset management across the region. They also emphasized that asset management goes beyond technical processes and asset records, encompassing operational, strategic, and financial dimensions that need to be integrated into broader public sector management and decision-making. Learning from the program is already being applied in practice, contributing to new regulations and bylaws, institutional reforms, and the establishment of new departments and professional networks.

The discussions also pointed to the practical importance of effective public asset management. Reliable information about public assets enables governments to make more informed decisions on public investment, maintenance, procurement, and service delivery, while stronger asset management can contribute to greater accountability and better outcomes for citizens.

The PSAM certification program was supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia through Slovenia Aid and Partnership.