Governor Radović at the International Conference Celebrating the Centenary of the Bank of Albania
11/11/2025
CBCG Governor Irena Radović, participated in a high-level international conference Tirana on the occasion of the mark the centenary of the establishment of the Bank of Albania. The conference, organised in cooperation with the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee (RBWC), brought together leading central bankers, economists, and representatives of international financial institutions from Europe and around the world to discuss global economic trends, regional convergence, and the future of money in the digital age.
Governor Radović spoke on the panel Europe’s Strategic Choices and Future Challenges, chaired by Governor of the Bank of Albania Gent Sejko, with other panellists including Alfred Kammer, Director of the European Department at the International Monetary Fund, Primož Dolenc, Governor of the Bank of Slovenia, Jasmina Selimović, Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Debora Revoltella, Chief Economist at the European Investment Bank.
In her address, Governor Radović emphasised that innovation represents a key driver of sustainable economic growth, competitiveness, and resilience in modern societies. In the context of European policies, Governor Radović highlighted that the EU’s ambitions and agenda in innovation are encouraging for future EU member states committed to creating a competitive and inclusive ecosystem that connects the public, business, financial, and research sectors. Such an approach, she noted, should ensure that the benefits of innovation are evenly distributed among regions and social groups, contributing to social cohesion and sustainable development.
The Governor underlined that Montenegro, as a candidate country approaching EU membership, has a unique opportunity to shape its development model in line with European policies and best practices. She recalled that Montenegro was the first non-EU country to adopt a Smart Specialisation Strategy, thereby laying strong foundations for developing its innovation system and digital transformation.
Speaking about the role of central banks in these processes, Governor Radović pointed out that the modern concept of financial stability increasingly relies on innovation – from the development of digital payments and FinTech solutions to the enhancement of central banks’ analytical and supervisory capacities.
“For Montenegro, the European Union represents the most important anchor of stability, as the accession process itself implies strengthening institutions, improving financial regulation, and integrating into the European financial and innovation ecosystem,” Governor Radović stated. “The transfer of knowledge, participation in European initiatives, and the application of EU standards in the digital and financial sectors enable our country to adopt modern technologies more rapidly, enhance supervisory capacities, and increase market transparency. In this way, European integration represents a strategic path towards long-term stability, innovation, and sustainable growth for Montenegro and our region.”
The conference concluded that central banks play a crucial role in shaping a stable and resilient global financial system, especially in times of rapid technological and structural change. It was emphasised that their responsibilities today go beyond the traditional frameworks of monetary policy – central banks are increasingly called upon to act as active drivers of innovation, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.