EU AND GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP IN THE GREEN TRANSITION – “Future GREEN Business 2025”
“EU and AFRICA collaboration”
At a time when the world is facing the accelerated consequences of climate change, the green transition is no longer a matter of choice but a global responsibility. It is precisely in this spirit of international partnership, solidarity, and joint action that the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) organized the prestigious international conference “Future GREEN Business” again this year, which took place on June 6, 2025, in the Emerald Hall of the Esplanade Hotel.
This year’s conference was held in partnership with the European Commission, as well as under the patronage of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, AmCham Croatia and the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency, and strong support through platinum sponsorship from Coca Cola HBC, gold sponsorship from the Croatian Postal Bank (HPB) and the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency (FZOEU), silver sponsorship from leading corporations and banks such as Orbico Group d.o.o., Nexe d.d., Adriatic Croatia International Club d.d. as well as support through donations from Ernst & Young Croatia, Končar Group d.d. and Greengreen Advisory d.o.o.
The conference represents a concrete contribution to the implementation of global climate goals in synergy with European and African partners and the business sector. The focus is on sustainable development, ESG standards and climate diplomacy – areas that require coordinated, courageous and responsible steps by all stakeholders, regardless of continents and sectors. In this context, the presence of the African partner and keynote speaker of the IICA Future Green Business Conference 2025 – H.E. Princess of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso, H.R.H. Abze Djigma, one of the most influential international advocates for energy justice and digital inclusion, is important, which once again confirms the importance of EU-AU cooperation as a foundation for creating resilient and equitable green economies
Keynote speaker of the IICA Future Green Business conference – Mr. E. Princess of the Mossi People of Burkina Faso, H.R.H. Abze Djigma
On behalf of the organizers, the welcoming speech was given by the President of the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) and Special Advisor/Envoy for Climate Action of the Republic of Croatia, Ms. Marija Pujo Tadić.
Marija Pujo Tadić, President of the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) and Special Advisor/Envoy for Climate Action of the Republic of Croatia
The conference was also addressed by the Head of Media and Deputy Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, Ms. Andrea Čović Vidović. In addition, State Secretary Ms. Tanja Radić Lakoš gave a welcoming speech on behalf of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, while Mr. Luka Balen, as Director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, addressed a few appropriate words to all those present.
Luka Balen, Director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund
“For 21 years, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has been investing significant resources to direct investments into sustainable growth and the achievement of the goals of the green transition: establishing a circular economy, energy independence and environmental protection. Through our programs, we have secured financing for over 60,000 projects, and this year alone, we plan to invest around € 130 million in programs intended for the public sector, companies, and our citizens. Our goal at the Fund, through our programs and our work, is to ensure that society is green, fair and sustainable. In that sense, today’s conversation is certainly a step in the right direction.”, emphasized the Director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Mr. Luka Balen.
Continuing the conference program, an interesting panel discussion followed dedicated to the challenges and opportunities brought by the latest European regulations in the field of sustainability, finance and industrial transformation, during which we are witnessing significant adjustments to the legislative framework of the European Union, for the benefit of citizens and companies.
The role of the panel moderator was taken on by Ms. Andrea Čović Vidović, while the role of the panelists was bravely taken on by Nikolina Staničić (Director of Legal Services, Coca-Cola HBC d.o.o.), Antonio Henriques da Silva (CEO and Founder, Group Topson SA), Josip Ergović (Chairman of the Management Board of Nexe d.d.), Christoph Schöfböck (Chairman of the Management Board, Erste banka d.d.), Marko Badurina (Chairman of the Management Board, HPB d.d.), Stjepan Roglić (Vice-President of the Supervisory Board, Orbico group d.o.o.) and Viktor Lučić (Director of the Corporate Strategy and Business Development Sector, Končar group d.d.). Thanks to our panelists, all guests of the IICA Future Green Business conference received valuable information from the context of implementing requirements and harmonizing standards of new regulations, adapting business to new EU plans, and preparing for potential changes announced in the context of changing customs dynamics.
Panelists of the IICA Future Green Business Conference from left to right; Stjepan Roglić (Orbico Group d.o.o.), Marko Badurina (HPB d.d.), Christoph Schöfböck (Erste banka d.d.), Josip Ergović (Nexe d.d.), Antonio Henriques da Silva (Group Topson SA), Nikolina Staničić (Coca-Cola HBC d.o.o.), Viktor Lučić (Končar Group d.d)
“Hrvatska poštanska banka proudly supports sustainable business and environmental protection initiatives, and together with the International Institute for Climate Action, during the Future Green Business conference, we jointly tried to encourage the Croatian economy to take concrete steps in preparing for the challenges and consequences of climate change. In its business, HPB is dedicated to creating long-term sustainable values for all its stakeholders, striving to leave a mark with its initiatives and projects that makes Croatian society better and more advanced, and the environment cleaner and healthier.”, commented Marko Badurina (President of the Board of Directors, HPB d.d).
The conference was followed by a welcome video from the godmother of the IICA Women Green Leaders Club (former US Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, Ms. Nathalie Rayes) as an overture to the ceremonial announcement of the winners of the “Future Green Leaders” scholarship competition, conducted as part of the Women Green Leaders Club (WGLC) initiative. This is a strategic program that brings together women in the green transition sector and encourages intergenerational mentoring, knowledge exchange, and the affirmation of young female experts in decision-making structures.
Video welcome speech by the godmother of the WGLC club, Ms. Nathalie Rayes (former US Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia)
The competition, which included a detailed selection of applications received from all over Croatia, produced 4 winners; Ivona Klišanin, who won the first prize of the WGLC competition, is therefore the proud winner of the internationally recognized and certified ESG Level 1 (Business/Finance Advisor) and Level 2 (Business/Finance Specialist) education as well as a one-month internship. The next winner, Doris Mijatović, won the 2nd prize of the WGLC competition, which included the ESG Level 1 (Business/Finance Advisor) award as well as a one-month internship, while the 3rd prize was won by two students (based on the same number of points), namely Nika Hojan and Petra Jakopović, who will attend the ESG Level 1 (Business/Finance Advisor) education. The aforementioned recognitions certainly represent the starting point of a career in the field of sustainability, and thus further strengthen the message that young women – with competences, motivation and vision – are key actors of a future based on a fairer, greener and more resilient society.
“It was an honor to speak about Coca-Cola’s good practices at the panel held at the Future Green Business Conference. Coca-Cola has been present in Croatia for more than half a century, which obliges us to continue working to make our business sustainable and to cultivate good practices of transparent reporting. A special moment was the opportunity to present the award to Ivona Klišanin, the winner of the first prize in the WGLC Future Green Leaders Scholarship Competition – a young leader whose enthusiasm and vision remind us that the future is in good hands,” said Nikolina Staničić (Director of Legal Affairs at Coca-Cola HBC and the main sponsor of the WGLC Scholarship Competition).
In the spirit of rewarding, a special award (established by the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA)) was presented to the business sector, i.e. the company that educated the most employees for ESG, with the award going to the company Gitone Kvarner d.d., which was taken over by the representative, Mrs. Ana Odak.
With this award, the International Institute for Climate Action (IICA) shows that it recognizes and gladly rewards the efforts and work of those who work the hardest on their education in the field of sustainability and ESG.
Scholarship recipients of the WGLC competition for “Future green Leaders”, Petra Jakopović and Nika Hojan, winner of the award for the most educated in the field of ESG, representative of Gitone Kvarner d.o.o., Mrs. Ana Odak, keynote speaker of the IICA Future Green Business conference – Mr. E. Princess of the Mossi People of Burkina Faso, H.R.H. Abze Djigme, president of IICA, Mrs. Marija Pujo Tadić, member of the WGLC club mrs. Monika Mikac, scholarship holder and first prize winner of the WGLC competition for “Future Green Leaders” Ivona Klišanin
This year’s IICA Future Green Business conference has successfully ended in accordance with the goal of connecting knowledge, experience and capital in order to accelerate the green transformation. As the central annual meeting place for representatives of diplomacy, science and business, “Future GREEN Business” confirms the importance of joint action at a time when sustainability, innovation and resilience are inseparable from economic development.
“Cooperation, partnerships and friendship have always meant the most when it was needed the most, and the gathered entrepreneurs and representatives of large companies at our #FutureGreenBusiness Conference understand this well.
We have witnessed this fact in the past period and it also applies to our future.
The same applies to our political cooperation, as well as to solving the climate crisis.
The fight against climate change will be challenging, but also full of opportunities, so we must preserve and strengthen our joint efforts – on both continents, Europe and Africa – in partnership, and this year’s IICA Future Green Business Conference served precisely that goal: connecting knowledge, experiences and capital in order to accelerate the green transformation on both continents.” – emphasized Marija Pujo Tadić, President of IICA and Special Envoy of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Climate Action
IICA Future Green Business Conference 2025; members and guests together with the IICA team