RIPE NCC Sixth SEE Roundtable Meeting Report

The Sixth South East European (SEE) Roundtable for Governments and Regulators, took place in Belgrade on 21 April 2026.

The roundtable was organised by the RIPE NCC alongside SEE 14 and brought together policymakers, regulators, technical experts and international organisations to discuss key developments in Internet governance, cybersecurity and digital cooperation in the SEE region.

Representatives from government agencies, regulators and ministries were present from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, Serbia, and Romania as well as experts from the European Commission, Swedish, Dutch and UN agencies such as the UNDP Serbia and UN DESA, and the International Telecommunication Union.

The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the RIPE NCC and RIPE community as well as a keynote address on current European policy developments relevant to the SEE region.

The first session explored lessons learned from the NIS2 transposition and experiences of implementation including the legislative timeline, institutional restructuring, and the evolving role of the national regulators and the practical challenges currently faced in operationalising the new cybersecurity framework.

Then an update was provided on the ongoing work of the European Commission’s Multistakeholder Forum on Internet Standards Deployment. The Forum invites technical experts to contribute their expertise, and a public call for expressions of interest is still open, allowing new members to apply at any time.

The following session focused on the implementation of the WSIS+20 outcomes and their relationship to the Global Digital Compact (GDC). Participants reflected on key issues that emerged during the negotiation process and discussed priorities for effective implementation at national, regional and global levels.

The future of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was also discussed. Speakers highlighted the importance of providing sustainable financing mechanisms, supporting national and regional initiatives, encouraging inclusive and transparent cooperation models, and strengthening participation by governments and stakeholders from developing countries in Internet governance and emerging technology discussions.

Preparations for the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 were also on the agenda. Participants reviewed the conference process, key milestones and opportunities for engagement. Regional coordination was seen as a key element and early preparation for effective participation in shaping the future strategic direction of the ITU and wider global digital governance processes.

Regional updates from Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia concluded the meeting, alongside discussions on future SEE Roundtable cooperation and priorities.

The roundtable underscored the importance of continued collaboration between governments, regulators, the technical community and international organisations in supporting a secure, open and interoperable Internet across South East Europe.

The Seventh SEE Roundtable meeting is planned for 26 October 2026 in Sofia during the RIPE 93 meeting.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.