Ambassador Forum

—— RDCY Forum for Area Studies No.5

Boštjan Malovrh

Ambassador of Slovenia to China

How Small States Operate in the International System - The Case of the Republic of Slovenia

Slovenia, known as the Little Switzerland of Europe, is a member of the EU, NATO, the OECD, and Schengen countries. With a small land area of 20,273 square kilometers and a population of 2.12 million, Slovenia actively implements free trade policies and develops an export-oriented economy, becoming a high-income developed country. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovenia in 1992, the two countries have continuously deepened exchanges in various fields and signed a memorandum of understanding on jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Europe. Furthermore, Slovenia has been elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2024-2025 term, providing new opportunities for China and Slovenia to strengthen cooperation within the China-Europe and UN frameworks and to promote global governance toward a more just and reasonable direction. In view of this, the "Ambassador Forum" of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin Universtiy of China (RDCY) will honorably invite the Ambassador of Slovenia to China, Mr. Boštjan Malovrh, to visit the university and deliver a speech as the fifth forum speaker, exclusively sharing his insights on the role and strategies of small states in the international system.

Host: Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China (RDCY)

Time: 14:30-16:00, Tuesday, January 21, 2025 (Beijing Time)

Venue: Cultural Building 602 (No.59 Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100872, China)

Languages: Chinese, English (simultaneous interpretation available)

Speaker: Boštjan Malovrh, Ambassador of Slovenia to China

Ambassador Boštjan Malovrh is a career diplomat who joined the Slovenian Foreign Ministry in 2001. Prior to his current appointment, he served as the Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations (2021 - 2024) and as the Deputy Head of Mission at the Slovenian Embassy in Beijing (2018 - 2021). Additionally, he has held various positions within international organizations, including roles at the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Agenda：

1. Opening Introduction (14:30-14:35)

Moderator: Wang Wen, Dean of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China (RDCY)

2. Ambassador’s Speech (14:35-15:25)

Speaker: Boštjan Malovrh, Ambassador of Slovenia to China

3. Q&A (15:25-16:00)