RCC Secretary General holds meetings and takes part in high-level discussions in New York and Washington

Sarajevo/New York/Washington – Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretary General Amer Kapetanović concluded a working visit to the United States of America this week, holding a series of meetings and taking part in discussions focused on sustainable development, regional cooperation and stronger international partnerships for South East Europe.

In New York, Kapetanović participated in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) event “Bridging the Gaps to Accelerate the SDGs: Policy Coherence across Water, Energy, Industry and Cities”, co-organised by the OECD, Spain, Italy and Romania and held during the 2026 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. Presenting a regional perspective on how successful solutions can be scaled up and translated into action, he highlighted the South East Europe 2030 Strategy as the region’s common framework for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals through shared priorities, regional ownership and accountability.

“South East Europe has shown that regional cooperation can turn common challenges into practical solutions, but lasting progress requires strong and sustained partnerships. Our region needs international engagement that supports regional ownership, strengthens resilience and helps us deliver tangible benefits to people and economies. The United States remains an important partner in this effort, and our discussions in New York and Washington confirmed that there is considerable scope to deepen that cooperation,” said Kapetanović.

On the margins of the New York meetings, the RCC Secretary General met OECD Deputy Secretary-General František Ružička to discuss expanding cooperation between the two organisations. Building on their successful work on sustainable foreign direct investment, the talks focused on inclusive growth, private-sector engagement, development financing and human capital. The RCC and OECD teams will continue consultations aimed at identifying concrete areas for future joint action.

The visit continued in Washington, where Kapetanović addressed a discussion hosted by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and moderated by Ambassador Philip Reeker, Distinguished Fellow at the Wilson Center. Speaking to representatives of the diplomatic and policy community in Washington, D.C., Kapetanović presented the RCC’s development and mandate, its role in advancing regional cooperation and the organisation’s current priorities. He also reflected on the key challenges facing South East Europe and the importance of continued transatlantic engagement with the region.

The discussion was followed by an exchange with participants on the region’s European perspective, economic and social development, security and resilience, as well as the value of regional frameworks in translating political commitments into coordinated implementation. Kapetanović stressed that stronger cooperation with partners in the United States can support a more stable, connected and prosperous South East Europe.