The Sarajevo Security Conference (SSC) was launched in 2023 by the Strategic Analysis Initiative, a nonprofit and nongovernmental think tank based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since January 2024, both the initiative and the conference have operated under the Western Balkans Center at the New Lines Institute, an independent research and policy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The Sarajevo Security Conference, or SSC, is a unique and dynamic platform dedicated to addressing security and foreign policy challenges. It emphasizes collaborative security, empowers small-state agencies, and fosters widespread support for the Euro-Atlantic perspective of Europe as a whole.
The inaugural Sarajevo Security Conference, held in October 2023, gathered over 200 participants from across the Western Balkans, the United States, the United Kingdom, and wider Europe. The event set the tone for a recurring, high-level forum focused on actionable policy discussion and credible, fact-based analysis.
In 2024, SSC expanded significantly. The second edition, held in September under the theme “European Perspectives on Security Challenges,” welcomed more than 300 participants and over 50 speakers. The program featured keynote addresses from General Matthew Van Wagenen of NATO SHAPE, General Chris Badia of NATO Allied Command Transformation, and Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan (ret.) of the United States Navy. Panel discussions explored transatlantic responses to Russia, the Middle East’s growing impact on Europe, NATO's evolving role in the Western Balkans, digital security, disinformation, and democratic resilience. The conference also included curated cultural and diplomatic events, including a Sarajevo city tour and private networking sessions.
As the conference continues to grow in reach and relevance, SSC 2025 will be held from September 26 to 28, 2025, under the theme “Reframing Europe’s New Security Architecture.” It will take place at Sarajevo City Hall and Hotel Movenpick, and will bring together global thought leaders, policymakers, diplomats, military officials, academics, and civil society actors for an intensive three-day exchange. The 2025 agenda will build on the foundation laid by previous editions while addressing new dimensions of global and regional security, including NATO and EU defense integration, strategic competition, hybrid warfare, energy security, and institutional resilience in fragile democratic environments.
Our goal is to establish a resilient foundation of engaging debates and credible, fact-based materials tailored to global policymakers and opinion-makers. In our work, we focus on bringing security perspectives from Sarajevo and southeastern Europe into the global spotlight. We are dedicated to offering a nuanced and profound perspective on regional and international security issues, fostering a deeper understanding and more effective policymaking.
Reinforcing our commitment to staying at the forefront of security discourse, we keep the finger on the pulse of global security developments. Our conference programs are developed in a manner that can contribute with the utmost efficiency to the region's pro-democracy agenda, with an emphasis on several key areas like the Euro-Atlantic integration of the nonmembers in the region, NATO accession, cybersecurity, and defense, deterrence of foreign malign influences in Southeast Europe, and priority reforms for democratic advancement, with a focus on the rule of law and security.
A focal point of the SSC is the exploration of avenues through which to strengthen democracy and drive essential reforms in the Western Balkans, with an emphasis on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through insightful discussions, we aim to enhance the socio-political landscape and contribute to reshaping the image of the Western Balkans countries in foreign relations.
Our mission is driven by a firm belief that nurturing partnerships and collaborations between key global actors and Bosnia and Herzegovina is imperative for regional stability. SSC 2025 will continue facilitating discussions that delve into the intricacies of this vital relationship. The third Sarajevo Security Conference is more than just another regional event; it is an entirely new catalyst for positive change in global security dynamics.
Join us on this transformative journey as we shape the future of security together.
