The 26th meeting of the Governing Board of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) was held on 4–5 March in Ohrid, North Macedonia. The event brought together representatives from ten participating countries, along with delegates from DG REGIO, DG MARE, Thematic Pillar Coordinators, and experts from various sectors.
North Macedonia reported on the progress made regarding its Presidency priorities, as well as the key themes and preliminary programme for the 11th EUSAIR Annual Forum. Italy, as the upcoming Presidency, also introduced its initial priority areas. EU enlargement continues to be a central focus for both the current and future Presidencies, and will feature prominently at the 11th EUSAIR Annual Forum scheduled for 19–20 May 2026 in Skopje.

Looking beyond 2027, macro-regional strategies are expected to remain an important tool supporting EU policies. In this context, it is crucial to ensure adequate governance capacity, integrate macro-regional priorities early into national planning processes, and recognize these strategies as essential partners in implementation.
Among the main points discussed were the presentation of the 5th EESC report on macro-regional strategies and updates on initiatives led by the EUSAIR Youth Council aimed at improving the situation of young people in the region. A new call for membership in the EUSAIR Youth Council will be launched in 2026 for selected countries, replacing members whose mandates are coming to an end. Additionally, the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme shared updates on its ongoing implementation and preparations for the upcoming programming period.

Finally, Pillar Coordinators presented recent achievements within their thematic areas and proposed ideas for further cooperation, supported by governance assistance projects.