Science under Pressure: Challenges and Opportunities: Joint Statement

This statement was adopted by the 9th Berlin Process Joint Science Conference. The meeting was held on 14 - 16 October 2025 in Ljubljana and was organised by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the UK's Royal Society. It is the ninth annual conference of stakeholders of the science, education, research and innovation pillar of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans, involving 16 countries and the European Commission. The 9th Berlin Process Joint Science Conference convened to explore how the challenges facing the Western Balkans’ education, research, and innovation sectors also hold opportunities for renewal and progress in times of growing pressure and rising expectations. The conference focused on protecting academic freedom and the autonomy of scientific organisations; advancing science as driver of growth and competitiveness; reinforcing security and societal resilience through science; and enabling universities to reclaim their space in the public sphere to strengthen democracy and open societies. The young generations carry a key responsibility in this.