The conference gathered over 100 public finance professionals, policymakers, auditors, and civil society representatives from 15 countries to explore how strong public financial management (PFM) systems foster greater transparency, accountability, and most importantly public trust. The conference program featured expert-led sessions, interactive panels, and regional case studies, all aimed at examining how perception and practice intersect in the governance of public resources.

The opening remarks were delivered by the Ms. Danijela Stepić, Chief State Treasurer at Croatia’s Ministry of Finance. She emphasized the crucial role of national leadership in reinforcing the integrity and transparency of public finance systems. Her remarks framed trust not as an abstract ideal, but as a prerequisite for sound governance and economic stability.

Building on this, Jana Repanšek, CEF Director, highlighted that trust in public finance is not just a technical goal, but a deeply human endeavor. “Without trust,” she said, “even the most technically sound policies struggle to take root. With trust, we can do magic.” She called for renewed attention to the people behind PFM systems — public servants, auditors, and reformers — whose confidence and competence are critical to institutional credibility. She emphasized that communities of practice, such as the one fostered by this conference, are essential for building shared purpose and sustaining long-term reform.

Adding further insight, Khalid Hamid, International Director at CIPFA, delivered a thoughtful keynote address on how governments must continuously earn public trust through a careful balance of integrity and competence. “Integrity is a moving piece,” he said, “and we must be able to challenge our own assumptions about what is acceptable.” He advocated for a culture of openness and learning, where institutions move beyond retrospective data analysis and instead apply information to drive meaningful change. He also emphasized that public engagement should be proactive and inclusive: “If I don’t know the problem, I can’t stand with you. If I don’t stand with you, I can’t learn from you.”

Trust emerged as a cross-cutting theme throughout the two-day conference — not only as a moral imperative, but as a critical driver of economic and institutional performance. Participants discussed how trust supports consumer confidence, encourages innovation in the public workforce, and underpins effective public sector governance. Conversely, they noted that a deficit of trust can turn a downturn into a systemic crisis, especially when governments fail to deliver on their obligations or communicate transparently.

As public institutions across South East Europe navigate political pressures, fiscal constraints, and growing citizen expectations, the message from Zagreb was clear: trust is not given — it is built. Through ethical leadership, professional development, and openness to collaboration, public finance systems can become not only more effective, but also more deserving of the public’s confidence.

This conference was funded by the Ministry of Finance of Slovenia, CIPFA, and the European Commission as part of the Empowered Accountants and Auditors for Accountable Public Sector (EAPS) program.