New Third Way and IRMA Hold Second Regional Expert Roundtable on Critical Raw Materials in Skopje

New Third Way (Novi treći put) and the US-based Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) convened an expert roundtable in Skopje dedicated to critical raw materials and supply chain integration in North Macedonia. The event brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, international organizations, and the policy sector.

This gathering marks the second regional roundtable in a series conducted across the Western Balkans as part of a joint project supported by the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans.

Key Discussion Themes and Insights

The conference was structured around three core thematic segments, examining where the Western Balkans currently stands regarding critical raw materials, identifying key constraints, and outlining realistic pathways for regional value chain development.

Participants discussed near-term opportunities, such as circular economy initiatives and industrial waste recycling, alongside long-term strategies to position the region as a reliable partner in European supply chains. The debate underscored the vital need to align technical expertise with policy and regulatory frameworks, while strengthening coordination between public institutions, industrial leaders, and international partners.

Next Steps

The conclusions from the Skopje session will be integrated into the upcoming regional report alongside findings from the Belgrade roundtable and future project events.

Stay tuned for further updates on our platform as we continue mapping sustainable raw material strategies across the Western Balkans.