Wireless Media Group (WMG), a leader in digital transformation and media in Serbia and the region, organised the conference “Sustainable Future 2025 – Innovations and Best Practices for Reducing the CO₂ Footprint” in cooperation with relevant institutions and organisations in the field of sustainable development. Held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the conference brought together a large number of experts, representatives from the public and private sectors, as well as organisations dedicated to sustainability, with the aim of exchanging ideas, identifying key challenges, and developing practical solutions for reducing CO₂ emissions through the implementation of sustainable practices in agriculture, green construction, and the preservation of forest ecosystems.
As part of the long-running Re-set Summit series, which focuses on the development and implementation of green initiatives, this event was organised with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, PE Srbijašume, PE Vojvodinašume, and the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Belgrade, as well as the support of WMG Foundation partners, the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, ProCredit Bank Serbia, and the Serbia Green Building Council.
The conference was opened by Irena Petrović, Director of the WMG Foundation, who stated: “ESG standards are becoming essential for long-term business success, as they teach us how to balance economic, social and environmental aspects, creating business models aligned with the values of future generations. At Wireless Media Group and the WMG Foundation, we recognise the importance of these principles and have been investing for years in projects that bring about real change.”
Plamena Halačeva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, emphasised the importance of the conference’s theme as an opportunity to consider concrete steps in building a sustainable future for the generations to come.
“Sustainable development, particularly decarbonisation, represents both the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity for our future. The EU Delegation in Serbia is committed to achieving ambitious sustainability goals. For example, the IPARD Fund helps farmers align their activities with ESG principles, thereby contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the promotion of sustainable production. The EU aims to achieve significant results in decarbonisation and nature protection, and in this process, Serbia is a key partner. Cooperation between the public, private, and civil sectors is crucial to achieving these goals. Only through joint efforts can we secure a healthier and safer future for the generations to come,” Halačeva stressed.
The first panel, titled “Sustainable Agriculture: Innovations and Challenges,” included Ivana Popović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Professor Nada Šmigić from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade, Dr Tijana Nikolić Lugonja from the BioSense Institute, Marina Mijić, Head of the Department for Sustainable Development at ProCredit Bank Serbia, and Veljko Jovanović, Advisor to the President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, who also moderated the discussion. Ivana Popović, State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia, highlighted that climate change presents a major challenge for Serbia and stressed that regenerative agriculture is not merely an alternative, but a key sustainability strategy that integrates ecological principles and biofuels. “Our ministry is committed to implementing sustainable solutions, and a synchronised approach across all sectors is essential for the transition to sustainable agricultural practices,” the State Secretary concluded.
At the panel “Green Construction: The Path to Sustainable Urbanism,” participants included Assistant Professor Jelena Carević from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Belgrade, Slađana Popović, Head of the Department for ESG Consultancy Services and Sustainability Solutions for Southeast Europe at CBRE, Nevena Martinović, Director of Marketing and Research at iO Partners, and Tijana Koprivica, Director of Sustainable Business at Delta Holding. The discussion was moderated by Dragana Korica, Executive Director of the Serbia Green Building Council. In conclusion, it was highlighted that green construction represents a vital link in achieving sustainable urbanism. For successful implementation of ESG principles in the construction industry, the integration of innovative solutions, collaboration across sectors, and continuous education are necessary in order to build environmentally responsible, energy-efficient and socially responsible cities that will shape the future.
The final panel, “The Importance of Forest Ecosystems for Sustainability,” gathered experts in forestry and environmental protection, including Ljiljana Sovilj, Head of the Department for Forestry Policy and Implementation of Forestry Improvement Measures at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Gordana Jančić, Deputy Director of the Forestry and Environmental Protection Sector at PE Srbijašume, Dr Marko Marinković, Executive Director for Forestry, Ecology and Development at PE Vojvodinašume, and Dr Branko Stajić, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry in Belgrade, with the panel moderated by Adiba Džudović, BSc in Forestry Engineering.
The conference conclusions underscored that the transition to sustainable practices in agriculture, green construction, and the preservation of forest ecosystems is essential for reducing the CO₂ footprint and achieving long-term sustainability. Regenerative agriculture, the use of energy-efficient materials and technologies in construction, and forest protection through initiatives such as the planting of three billion trees by 2030, form the foundation for sustainable development. Achieving the goals of decarbonisation and preserving the planet for future generations requires collaboration across all sectors – public, private and civil.