IISG Regional Pillar Support Group Meeting – WBBSi in Budva, Montenegro

Following the development of the needs mapping analysis per each IISG Pillars, the IISG Secretariat undertook the process of finalising the process of drafting the needs mapping reports. The needs mapping reports are to be proposed for adoption on the forthcoming 6th IISG Board meeting in December 2021. On the 23-24 September 2021, the IISG Secretariat conducted the Regional Pillar Support Group Meeting for Pillar 3 Western Balkan Border Security initiative (WBBSi). The IISG Secretariat undertook the process of finalizing of drafting the needs mapping reports, agree on the response mapping methodology and agree on the Secure Database methodology which will be proposed for adoption on the forthcoming 6th IISG Board meeting in December 2021.

There were 24 participants in person, from 6 partners from WB6 and colleagues from Italy, Greece, UNODC, FRONTEX, MARRI, IOM Podgorica present in the meeting room while UK, DG Near, RACVIAC and few more participants were attending the meeting from the hybrid mode. This meeting was co-chaired with MARRI and FRONTEX representative as one of the lead partners of the WB BSi Pillar. The Head of IISG Secretariat (HoS), Mr. Sojati briefed on the needs mapping process reminding all phases until this current stage, when members are to conclude the four charts of the needs mapping list. All members agreed with the information and with the process. Partners from Support Group members, offered their support to the process and expressed their readiness to contribute on the needs mapping for WB6. Ms. Pinjo Talevska (IISG Secretariat), Ms. Razovic (MARRI) and Mr. Swelinski (FRONTEX), provided final comments on the needs mapping, response mapping and on the secure database. They emphasised the importance of the database use and the impact it could have on the regional and donor coordination for the WB6. Participants were invited to express the final remarks on this WG meeting after all materials were introduced, discussed and debated.