Western Balkans– The Governing Board of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) convened on Wednesday 06.08.2025 and reached consensus on the appointment of the new Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General, marking a significant milestone for regional youth cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Following an open and merit-based selection process, the Governing Board unanimously appointed Vladimir Obradović as a new RYCO Secretary General (SG), and Kreshnik Loka as Deputy Secretary General (DSG).
Vladimir Obradović has built a distinguished career marked by strategic leadership, legal expertise, and impactful policy development across key institutions in Montenegro. He currently serves as State Secretary at the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Montenegro, where he leads strategies and policies to promote sports and youth empowerment. His efforts focus on youth engagement, fostering leadership, education, and employment opportunities, while working closely with sports federations, youth organizations, and educational institutions.
Previously, as State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, he contributed to strategic healthcare planning, international cooperation with WHO and the EU, public health improvement projects, and crisis management. Throughout his career, including earlier roles of Deputy Director of the Health Insurance Fund, as well as Legal Advisor to the Municipality of Berane, he has demonstrated expertise in high-level policy development, strategic planning and international cooperation management, representing Montenegro in regional and international events and forums.
Kreshnik Loka is an accomplished leader in regional cooperation, youth engagement, and reconciliation, who has been with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) since its very beginning, having represented Albania in the official Working Group that laid the foundations of the organization.
Serving as Head of the Local Branch Office in Tirana since 2017, he has played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing RYCO’s mission, driving strategic programs that foster intercultural dialogue, youth participation, and reconciliation across the Western Balkans. Under his leadership, the local branch office has successfully delivered numerous regional initiatives and activities – from ministerial meetings and policy dialogues to capacity-building programs and regional youth exchanges – bringing together governments, civil society, and young people. He has contributed to several influential publications on youth cooperation and has actively engaged in research on peace, human rights, and regional development throughout his career.
This decision reflects the collective commitment of all RYCO Contracting Parties to foster inclusive, youth-led cooperation across the region. The new leadership brings a strong vision for strengthening RYCO’s mission: promoting reconciliation, regional mobility, and active youth participation.
The selection process of Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General was guided by the principles set out in the RYCO Statute and Rules of Procedure, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and fairness. The appointment also upholds the statutory requirement that the SG and DSG represent different Contracting Parties.
With this appointment, RYCO enters a new chapter, reinforcing its role as a key institutional mechanism for youth cooperation and peacebuilding in the Western Balkans and beyond.