(SKOPJE) – The opportunities for enhancing cooperation in the areas of corporate governance, financial literacy and gender equality were the focus of the meeting between the President of the Council of the Insurance Supervision Agency, Eli Drakulovska, and the Chief Ambassador of Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) for North Macedonia, Tanja Mihajlovska Dimitrievska.
The meeting highlighted that strengthening inclusive leadership and greater representation of women in management structures are an important prerequisite for better governance, higher institutional resilience and greater trust in the financial system.
ASO, as an independent regulatory body for the insurance market, continuously works to protect the rights of policyholders, promote transparency and develop financial education. In this regard, the importance of further strengthening the capacities of market participants and raising public awareness about the role of insurance was emphasized.
“As a regulator, our priority is a stable, transparent and responsible insurance market. We believe that improving corporate governance and encouraging greater inclusiveness in management structures are key to the sustainable development of the sector. In this regard, we are open to cooperation that will contribute to strengthening professional standards and trust in institutions,” Drakulovska emphasized.
On the other hand, WOBA, as a regional initiative, actively contributes to increasing the participation of women in management and supervisory structures, through training programs, mentoring and support for inclusive leadership policies, aligned with European standards.
“The greater representation of women in decision-making processes is not only a matter of equality, but also a factor for better business results and more resilient institutions. Through cooperation with institutions such as ASO, we have the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a more inclusive and sustainable financial sector,” said Mihajlovska Dimitrievska.
During the discussions, it was pointed out that there is significant space for the development of joint initiatives, especially in the area of education and training, support for gender equality in the insurance sector, as well as the organization of events and activities aimed at improving corporate governance and ESG practices.
During the meeting, the interlocutors also referred to the upcoming Adria Future Summit 2026, which will be held from 22 to 24 April in Porto Montenegro, Tivat. This summit represents a leading regional platform for innovation, investment and sustainable development, and is of particular importance for companies and the entire Adria region. The Summit brings together political leaders, the business community, investors and international institutions to drive green and digital transformation and create new opportunities for economic growth.
It is particularly important that it was at such a summit, in 2023, that the Women on Boards Adria (WOBA) initiative was established, which today actively contributes to increasing the participation of women in management and supervisory structures. This emphasizes the role of the Adria Future Summit as a place where ideas and initiatives are born that have a lasting impact on corporate governance and gender equality in the region.
The interlocutors agreed that through a joint approach and exchange of expertise, sustainable results can be achieved, which will contribute to the development of human capital and approximation to European practices in this area.
