site.bta2025 Presidency of B40 Balkan Cities Network Summit Rotates to Sofia

Sofia is taking over the presidency of the B40 Balkan Cities Network Summit for 2025, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said at the opening of the event in Sofia on Monday.

Terziev pointed out that is not just a symbolic handover, but a moment to appreciate the joint work and accelerate it, as well as a moment to consider how the cities in the Balkans can cooperate more effectively and efficiently, not only on paper, but also in reality.

He said that the Balkans, named after their mountains, have always been home to people who are not afraid to climb up not only the peaks around them, but also the challenges before them. "Surrounded by high peaks, we know the difficulties. But these mountains also give us another perspective, as they allow us to look far ahead, to dream of new horizons and to strive higher," Terziev said, adding that from the top of every mountain several neighbouring countries are always visible in the Balkans. "This is a reminder that here, in the Balkans, we are all connected, looking in the same direction and moving towards the same future," he said.

He noted diversity is not just part of the Balkan's heritage, it is its greatest advantage. The Sofia Mayor stressed that innovation thrives where different perspectives meet, while culture flourishes where traditions intertwine and economies grow where ideas find common ground. "I am convinced that we, local leaders, are in the best position to hear and understand the needs of the people," Terziev noted.

"We have a responsibility to promote transparency and accountability at every level of government. Looking ahead, we have the opportunity to elevate the region above its historical conflicts," he commented, adding that now, more than ever, in a context of disunity and unacceptable aggression, it is time to turn challenges into shared opportunities.

"The future will not wait for our cooperation, it depends on it," Terziev stated, stressing that it is time to climb the peaks together as part of the B40.

Sofia Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov recalled that the B40 is a network of Balkan cities, which was launched in 2021 as an initiative of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and 30 cities in the Balkans. "Today, they are already over 70, aiming for better communication between them and overcoming long-standing conflicts between countries in the region," Barbutov pointed out.