AmCham Regional ESG Conference in Skopje: “Strengthening Resilience in a Changing World”

Under the theme “Strengthening Resilience in a Changing World,” a regional ESG conference dedicated to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards was held on June 3 and 4 in Skopje. The conference was jointly organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham Serbia) and the American Chamber of Commerce in North Macedonia (AmCham North Macedonia), in cooperation with AmCham Albania and AmCham Kosovo. This event laid the foundation for further regional cooperation in promoting the importance of ESG standards in the business sector, sharing best practices, and overcoming common challenges on the path toward EU integration.

More than 150 representatives from companies across the Western Balkans had the opportunity to attend lectures by renowned experts, including representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the international organization Transparency International, the American-Slovenian Education Foundation (ASEF), the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the investment fund Finance in Motion/Green for Growth Fund (GGF), as well as companies leading in ESG implementation in the region.

One of the key messages of the conference was that, in light of regulatory uncertainty around future EU sustainability rules, companies should proactively identify and implement ESG-related measures that can help strengthen their resilience to growing risks and enhance the competitiveness of their products, especially in the EU market.

To achieve these goals, the importance of more active state involvement in removing existing obstacles to decarbonization and promoting sustainable practices in the economy was also emphasised. “Common challenges across most markets in the region include the need to improve the legal framework, infrastructure, and stakeholder cooperation in waste management (better collection, sorting, and treatment of municipal waste, full application of the ‘polluter pays’ principle, introduction of extended producer responsibility for electronic waste, etc.), enabling broader use of alternative fuels, and strengthening infrastructure for connecting renewable energy sources to the grid,” stated Amalija Pavić, Deputy Director of AmCham Serbia. Representatives of Coca-Cola HBC and Ball Packaging Europe particularly highlighted the need to improve the packaging waste management system in the region by establishing functional deposit-return systems in line with best European practices.

Another key focus of the conference was the more active role of businesses in nature conservation and biodiversity protection. Dr. Sebastian Dunnett from UNEP-WCMC presented the organisation’s programs that support the private sector in understanding and managing natural resources, including the integration of biodiversity goals into business strategies and risk assessments, as well as specific projects aimed at nature conservation and restoration, and the implementation of nature-based solutions. “It is crucial to recognise that even some of the most important decarbonization tools, such as green energy technologies, can still have significant environmental impacts. Building large hydropower plants, wind farms, or solar parks in ecologically sensitive areas can severely threaten biodiversity, fragment habitats, and disrupt natural processes. Therefore, decarbonization must go hand in hand with nature preservation — through careful site planning, environmental impact assessments, and integration of nature-based solutions,” emphasised Dr. Dunnett.

When it comes to social responsibility and community support, the conference highlighted many successful corporate initiatives in the region — from digital inclusion and online safety promotion to dual education, professional training, and revitalisation of rural areas, such as Delta Holding’s “Our Village” project. Marija Savić, Manager of Intesa Foundation, a philanthropic organization and panel participant, emphasized the importance of institutionalizing social responsibility through long-term support for projects that contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable society: “As a financial institution supporting overall economic development, Banca Intesa also aims to enhance the quality of life in the communities where we operate — a broad and complex topic. That’s why we established the Foundation, which carefully selects projects that best support vulnerable groups, address gaps in critical areas like healthcare and education, and contribute to protecting the environment we live in and preserve for future generations.”

In an inspiring one-on-one conversation titled “Restoring Trust Through Responsible Corporate Governance,” Bogdan Gecić, founder of Gecić Law Firm, and Ivan Šteriev, CEO of the Macedonian Stock Exchange, emphasised that trust begins with good governance. They presented examples where poor internal control and misleading sustainability claims led to serious consequences, while strong governance ensured regulatory tolerance.

The conference concluded with a compelling discussion on the role of financial institutions in supporting sustainable practices and decarbonization. The panel underlined the importance of combining regulatory mechanisms, innovative financial instruments, and strategic partnerships to accelerate the green transition and make funding for sustainable business projects more accessible.