Dear colleagues and friends,
Invitation
The Diplomatic Club – Skopje and University American College Skopje, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia have the honour to invite you to the half-day conference on “The Importance of Geography in Shaping the Foreign Policy and National Security”, on Thursday, 24 April 2025. The event will take place at the Parliament Members’ Club in Skopje (registration starting at 10:30 am, see programme enclosed).
The conference aims to explore the ways in which geographical factors, such as terrain, climate, natural resources (including minerals), sea access, and demography, impact foreign policy and security decisions. Current geopolitical controversies over rare earth materials, Greenland, and the Panama Canal – to mention but a few, underscore the urgency and importance of this topic. Although technology and development may modify the influence of the geographical factors, they are enduring determinants and remain critical to understanding foreign policy and diplomacy.
The conference will have two sessions dedicated to the following topics:
Session I
– The ways in which geographical configuration, terrain, and climate are fundamental to shaping a country’s foreign policy and defense strategy.
– The extent to which the geographical configuration of North Macedonia (including its mountains, rivers, and lakes) acts as either an advantage or limitation to its foreign policy and national security decisions.
Session II
– The impact of natural resources and minerals distribution on foreign policy, security, and economic considerations.
– The extent to which the geographical position of North Macedonia as a landlocked country without navigable rivers, influences its economic development and integration into global politics and economics.The event will be a landmark occasion to advance discussions on the vital connection between geography and policy making. Working language of the conference is English, no translation is provided. The event is open to media coverage. Entrance to the venue is restricted to registered attendees only.
RSVP by registering via this link by 20 April 2025 at the latest.
Ambassador Jovan Tegovski
President of The Diplomatic Club – Skopje
Prof. Marjan I. Bojadziev, PhD
Rector of University American College Skopje
