The International Conference on Public Procurement in Jahorina is Coming Soon

The most significant conference on public procurement in this part of Europe will be held on November 27 and 28, 2023, at the Ski Resort Jahorina in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jahorina is currently one of the most expansive business projects as a tourist destination.

The most influential European experts (Professor Christopher Bovis from the University of Hull, Professor Gustavo Piga from the University of Tor Vergata in Rome, Professor Roberto Caranta from the University of Turin, esteemed judge Karin Schnabl from the Administrative Court in Graz), professors from universities in Sarajevo and Belgrade, prominent international experts from Croatia (Goran Matešić, Sanja Badrov Ranić, Danijela Pažur Ivančić), the United States, Greece, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina will discuss, present, and answer questions on the topic: Directions for the Development of Public Procurement in the EU and National Legislation.

Presentations on the most current issues in the development of public procurement in the EU will cover, among other topics, the upcoming digital transformation of public procurement through the introduction of unified e-Forms on the European common platform TED. The completion of the process of full digitalization of public procurement at the level of the European Union is motivated by the demand for complete transparency and unification of databases, which will result in the possibility of better analysis of occurrences and trends, and subsequently the improvement of the legal framework and the determination of development strategies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the domain of public procurement is a possibility that requires standardization, the introduction of ethical corrective rules, and oversight. AI is a challenge that the European Commission has recognized, leading to the initiation of assessment and regulation processes.

The issue of professionalizing public procurement specialists as a policy that ensures “equality of arms” is a permanent question related to the effectiveness of public procurement and its development, which includes not only education and training but also monitoring and career development of public procurement specialists and an adequate reward system. The European Commission intends to develop and promote its policy of professionalization in public procurement in member states.

The paradigm of green and social public procurement, or sustainable public procurement, is the essence of the principles of efficiency and purposefulness in public procurement. Sustainable public procurement represents a strategic tool for the state that emphasizes its multifunctionality. Through public procurement, alongside fulfilling its fundamental function, other public policies and activities (for example, ecology and protection of vulnerable groups) are ensured, encouraged, and supported.

The state and trends of the global economy (war conflicts and disruptions in global market relations) and their impact on the European market open the need to redefine the rules for the participation of suppliers from third countries in the European Union market. It is expected that there will be an awareness of the new state and more precise legal regulations that will move towards a different arrangement of relations and stronger protection of the internal market.

All the aforementioned issues represent the highest priority set before the European market and public procurement as part of that market. All these issues are just some of the topics that will be presented by the most relevant authorities, scientists, and practitioners. It is entirely logical that member states will be required to implement and standardize these issues. But even before that, awareness of these issues will serve participants in public procurement (contracting authorities primarily) in timely standardization to the extent possible through procurement documentation. Understanding the existing legal framework in light of these issues and announced solutions will assist public procurement practitioners, lawyers, government officials, and judges in achieving legal protection in public procurement.

Furthermore, the national development of public procurement legislation, with challenges of harmonization and development of the legal framework, although locally set, is a universal topic for comparison, exchange of experiences, and reflection on public procurement. Within this framework, some best practices and the inevitable legal practice of the Court of the European Union will be presented. Dilemmas related to difficulties in the application of regulations, thoughts, and proposed solutions represent an exchange of experiences and are always a creative stimulus within the common market of the European Union. Although each national public procurement system is different, all apply the same European legal framework, which is why interoperability and cross-border functioning are of crucial importance. The organizer believes that this scientific-professional gathering contributes to and serves this purpose as it is structured as both international and national.

The program consists of presentations by keynote speakers and panels. Panels are designed as dynamic, lively, constructive, and critical discussions among experts from various fields of activity, who will share their experiences and proposals. The panel topics are: Public Procurement in the EU – Development and Challenge; Public Procurement in BiH – Development, the Law on Public Procurement de lege lata and de lege ferenda; Digitalization of Public Procurement – Experiences; Legal/Judicial Protection in Public Procurement Procedures.

The creative idea of the Conference is to ensure presentations from the highest authorities in the European Union in the field of public procurement, address the most current topics, announce changes in the European legal framework, discuss some key issues of public procurement regulation, and ensure a dynamic presentation and discussion. The ideal set is to achieve an international expert gathering of the highest level that does not exist in this part of Europe!

Participants who register through Lider receive a 10% discount on the registration fee.

Register by entering the code Lider10 on the registration page of the conference.