The meeting was opened by the President of the Senate of the Republic of France Gérard Larcher who called on the countries to do everything needed to be done in the coming period so that SDGs can be achieved by 2030, emphasising the role of the parliaments as extremely important. Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General, also gave opening remarks, pointing out that MPs can intervene in favour of achieving sustainable development through the legislative process, as well as their control role of the executive. He also emphasised that economic development must be sustainable and include all segments of society, that it is necessary to pay attention to environmental protection, while cooperation with civil society and the academic community in achieving sustainable development is vital.

The main topics at the seminar were the results of parliamentary action regarding the implementation of sustainable development goals, exchange of opinions and good practices in creating conditions for green transformation, creation of equal opportunities for every individual and an efficient healthcare system, activities to achieve an open parliament and the introduction of innovations in parliamentary work.

The National Assembly had set up the Focus Group for Sustainable Development Goals on 25 September, 2017, which was the first group of its kind in the Western Balkans region. It is expected that the new National Assembly legislature will also forms a Focus Group. We are among the first parliaments in the world to carry out a readiness self-assessment for monitoring the achievement of sustainable development and in 2019, an evaluation of the achieved results. A corresponding Resolution Proposal has been prepared, with the participation of UNDP, to which the Government gave a positive opinion. The adoption of the proposed resolution is expected in the following period.

About fifty MPs from over twenty European countries are taking part in the Regional Seminar.