Over 500 participants from the world of politics, business, academia and other areas of public life from 65 countries are expected to take part in the two-day event.

Running under the title "The Power of Trust", the forum will feature panels on global leadership, cooperation in SE Europe, demographic change, contemporary topics such as cybersecurity and new technologies, and the role of tourism in global relations.

Foregoing debates directly related to current global flashpoints, the forum will debate burning issues in the world through cross-cutting themes which seek to pinpoint ways for overcoming gridlock in global relations.

The opening proceedings on Monday will feature addresses by President Borut Pahor, outgoing Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec and Speaker of Parliament Milan Brglez.

Following will be the main panel discussing "The Philosophy of Leadership", which is expected to touch on topical issues in international relations in connection with leadership.

Participating in the panel will be former Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, Hungarian Foreign Minister Tibor Navracsics, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris, former Netherlands Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal and Indian Secretary of State, General V. K. Singh.

The evening part of the forum will be dedicated to a youth view on strengthening trust in the world, as participants of the Young BSF, a side event featuring future leaders, debate under the title "The Potential of Trust".

A networking reception is to follow, while the day's proceedings will be rounded up with the Night Owl session dedicated to digital technologies.

The deliberations will continue on Tuesday with BSF staples: a panel on the Western Balkans and the staging of the Business BSF, which will be dedicated to cooperation between SE Europe and India. Cooperation in SE Europe, demographic change and cybersecurity will feature at the other panels.