Dr. Sasho Kjosev is the President of the Balkan Economic Forum (BEF) and a Full Professor in the Faculty of Economics at the University "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" in Skopje, North Macedonia. He earned a Graduate Diploma from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics from the same university where he now teaches. His academic work spans a wide range of economic topics, with a particular focus on regional development, sustainable development planning, and economic policy in South-Eastern Europe, and he has presented research at numerous international conferences across the region.
Beyond academia, Dr. Kjosev serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the European Academy of the Regions (EAR) and acts as EAR's representative in North Macedonia. The Balkan Economic Forum, which he leads, was established to develop and implement innovative strategies and creative solutions to the economic challenges facing countries of the Balkan Peninsula, with the aim of stimulating regional economic growth and strengthening regional cooperation, peace, and security. Under his leadership, BEF has grown into a prominent regional platform, convening government officials, academics, and private sector leaders from across the Balkans and Europe each year.