Message from the Chief Representative

Thank you for visiting the JICA Balkan Office website.
I have served as the Senior Representative of this office since September 2024 and was appointed as the Chief Representative in November 2025. It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be involved in development cooperation in the Western Balkans, a dynamic region where diverse cultures and histories intersect.
Currently, governments in the Western Balkans are accelerating socio-economic reforms toward accession to the European Union (EU). Based on the Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative launched by the Government of Japan in 2018, JICA will continue to work together with our partners in the Western Balkans to support these efforts to promote socio-economic resilience and regional cooperation.
In implementing our cooperation projects, we aim to co-create innovative solutions for development challenges through dialogue and collaboration with diverse partners, including governments, local authorities, the private sector, academic institutions, international organizations and civil society.
JICA’s vision is "Leading the World with Trust". Our office is fully committed to further deepening the bonds of trust and friendship between Japan and the Western Balkans through our development cooperation activities.

YAMASHITA Chigiru
Chief Representative of JICA Balkan Office