23. 10. 2024.

At the first "LEGAL PRO FORUM 2024," held from October 20th to 23rd at Zlatibor, a panel on "Long-term Corporate Value Creation" featured prominent experts in sustainable business practices and labor law. The panelists—Tijana Koprivica, Director of Sustainable Business at Delta Holding, Dr. Jovana Veličković, a lawyer from Belgrade, and Dr. Ivica Lazović, Director of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes—discussed the importance of long-term corporate value creation through the implementation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards. The panel was moderated by Dr. Ljubinka Kovačević, Full Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade.

Dr. Ivica Lazović introduced the attendees to the work and responsibilities of the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes, emphasizing its role as an external mechanism when all internal dispute resolution options within companies have been exhausted. He also addressed the participants on the new regulations regarding due diligence in supply chains and their implications for business operations. Dr. Lazović presented examples of effective labor dispute resolution before the Agency, stressing that this mechanism is crucial for maintaining stability and fair relations in the labor market. The attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the potential application of these alternative mechanisms for protecting labor rights.

The panelists highlighted that sustainable development is a topic of the future, relevant to all companies regardless of size. It was concluded that collaboration between companies through experience sharing, as well as support from professional organizations, will be key factors in overcoming challenges on the path to meeting ESG standards.