Events

The IISG Secretariat organized the Regional Pillar Support Group Meeting under the Western Balkans Counter-Serious Crime Initiative (WBCSCi) on 29–30 July 2025 in Tirana, Albania, bringing together representatives of Western Balkan partners and international stakeholders engaged in the fight against serious and organized crime.

The meeting served as a platform for reviewing progress achieved under Pillar 2 – WBCSCi and discussing future priorities aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and coordinated responses to serious and organized crime in the Western Balkans.

Over the course of the two-day meeting, participants reviewed the findings of the annual response mapping report for the period 2020–2023 and the biannual needs mapping report for 2024–2026. The discussions focused on identifying regional priorities, assessing existing support mechanisms, and ensuring that future assistance is aligned with the needs identified by Western Balkan partners.

Participants also examined updates and analytical findings from the IISG Database, which provides a comprehensive overview of ongoing projects and support initiatives across the region. The discussions highlighted the importance of timely reporting, information sharing, and coordinated planning to maximize the impact of donor assistance and avoid duplication of efforts.

A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement on the draft work plan for Pillar 2 – WBCSCi, setting out priority activities and areas of cooperation for the upcoming period. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining active engagement in IISG processes and contributing to the further development of regional security cooperation mechanisms.

The meeting concluded with agreement on the next steps related to finalizing IISG analytical products and preparing documentation for the forthcoming IISG Board meeting, where the reports and recommendations developed under the WBCSCi pillar will be submitted for consideration and adoption.

The event reaffirmed the importance of a coordinated regional approach to combating serious and organized crime and highlighted the continued role of the IISG framework in supporting cooperation, strategic planning, and information exchange among Western Balkan partners and international stakeholders.