AGP Executive Report

Green Mining Tech: China’s 2026 Mining Conference in Tianjin put autonomous trucks, real-time monitoring and smarter mineral processing front and center, with exhibitors pitching lower energy use and cleaner operations. Crypto Micro-Nation: Liberland’s push for a libertarian, crypto-based state continues to draw huge interest, with claims of hundreds of thousands of citizenship applications. Serbia-US Space Cooperation: Serbia’s caretaker science minister Bela Balint attended a US Artemis Accords event in Belgrade, highlighting NASA-linked opportunities and Serbian participation in major observatory work. Plant Microbiome for Climate Resilience: A new research collection spotlights how plant-associated microbes could help crops survive heat, drought and other climate stresses. Student Tech Security: A Citizen Lab report says Serbia is seeing escalating spyware targeting students, including Pegasus-style attacks. Belgrade Tech & Education: Serbia’s University of Belgrade faculties voted to shift the 2026/27 academic year start to November 1, tied to the October election calendar. Roblox Creator Tools: Roblox announced major platform changes, including offline play, browser-based access and AI-assisted game building—Serbia users are among early testers.

Serbia–US Space Ties: Serbia’s caretaker science minister Bela Balint attended the Artemis Accords event in Belgrade, pushing cooperation with NASA and citing Serbian participation in major observatory work. Agriculture Microbes for Climate Resilience: A new Serbia-linked research collection highlights how plant microbiomes and beneficial microbes could help crops survive heat, drought and other climate stresses. Sports Integrity in Focus: A Ukrainian delegation in Serbia helped shape WADA decisions to strengthen anti-doping independence at major events, including Olympic and Paralympic Games testing. Logistics Tech in the Region: Rijeka Gateway marked its first year of commercial operations, reporting major rail/road cargo splits and new regular rail links connecting Serbia and beyond. Education & Digital Load: Across the Balkans, schools are adopting lockers and digital textbooks to cut heavy schoolbags, with Serbia mentioned among cases. AI & Gaming Push: Roblox announced major updates for offline play, browser-based access, standalone publishing, and expanding AI-assisted game creation—testing now includes Serbia. Cybersecurity Warning: A Citizen Lab-linked report says students in Serbia were targeted with mercenary spyware, raising pressure for stronger protections. EU Integration Debate: Serbia’s Marko Đurić argued at Beltalks that the region should actively shape EU accession pace, not wait passively. Tech Diplomacy: Serbia’s Dušan Kozarev told the GZERO Summit Asia that Serbia aims to become a regional hub for AI, software and data-centre infrastructure.

Smart Mining & Green Tech: China’s 2026 Mining Conference in Tianjin showcased autonomous mining trucks, real-time control systems, and cleaner power for mineral processing—highlighting how Chinese tech is pushing the global green transition. Serbia–US Space Cooperation: Serbia’s caretaker science minister Bela Balint attended the Artemis Accords event in Belgrade, stressing stronger links with NASA and US partners and Serbia’s role in major astronomy projects. AI & Data Centres Push: Serbia’s foreign ministry secretary Dušan Kozarev told the GZERO Summit Asia 2026 that Serbia aims to become a regional hub for AI, software, and data-centre infrastructure. Education Timing Amid Elections: Belgrade faculties voted to shift the 2026/27 academic year start to Nov 1, tying it to the Oct 25 snap election cycle. Student Spyware Concerns: A Citizen Lab-linked report claims students in Serbia are being targeted with mercenary spyware, raising new alarms for election-period digital security. Leipzig Drone Attack Probe: German reporting says a GRU-linked Russian intelligence employee helped organize the Leipzig-Halle drone attack, with travel routes involving Turkey and Serbia. Archaeology in Serbia: Excavations at a Roman palace site near Vrelo-Šarkamen uncovered an emperor’s private bath complex with heated floors, multiple pools, and a sauna. Regional Tech Integration Talk: At BELTALKS, Serbia’s Marko Đurić argued the Western Balkans shouldn’t wait for EU accession—pushing faster regional integration and a stronger voice.

AI & Startup Ecosystems: At GITEX Ai Türkiye, GITEX VP Bilal Alrais called Türkiye a “perfect sandbox” for AI scaling, citing engineering talent, government backing, and technoparks, while Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır said Türkiye aims for a top-10 startup ecosystem and will fund AI-focused venture capital with $150M. Space Cooperation: Serbia’s caretaker Science Minister Bela Balint attended the Artemis Accords reception in Belgrade, stressing concrete Serbia–US science ties and participation in major observatory projects. Cybersecurity & Student Surveillance: Citizen Lab reports Serbia is seeing targeted spyware against students, warning the country is becoming a “buffet” for mercenary surveillance. Education Tech & Student Load: Across the Balkans, schools are adding lockers and shifting to digital textbooks to reduce heavy schoolbags, with Serbia mentioned alongside regional weight-limit concerns. Serbia–Uzbekistan Tech & Agriculture: Uzbekistan is looking to Serbia for fruit nursery expertise, with plans for modern propagation, grafting, intensive orchards, and training via a Serbian partner. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Serbia’s election campaign coverage also highlights how public institutions and media handle access and fairness, with RTS promising “independence” in monitoring.

Space & Science Diplomacy: Serbia’s caretaker Minister Bela Balint met the US embassy ahead of the Artemis Accords, stressing concrete science-and-innovation cooperation with NASA and noting Serbian participation in the Vera C Rubin Observatory and the US-led Legacy Survey of Space and Time. Agritech Cooperation: Uzbekistan is looking to Serbia’s fruit nursery expertise, exploring a project with KALEM VOĆE MILADINOVIĆ for modern propagation, grafting, and intensive orchards, with a Serbian-led pilot nursery and training plans. Education Tech & Wellbeing: Across the Balkans, schools are easing heavy schoolbags with lockers and digital textbooks, while Serbia and neighbors also face scrutiny over schoolbag weight and learning load. Defense Mobility Industry: KNDS Mobility launched the CELERIS 8x8 modular mobility kit for heavy wheeled combat vehicles (up to 36 tonnes), building on its CELERIS 4x4 platform used in multiple countries including Serbia’s Lazar 3 8x8. Youth & Learning Outcomes: New PISA 2025 results reported for Serbia show large shares of students below functional literacy in science, math, and reading, adding pressure for education reforms. Climate Pressure: EU Copernicus data says August 2026 was the joint hottest month on record globally, with 1.65°C above pre-industrial baseline and record heat across Europe.

Climate Shock: Copernicus says August 2026 was the world’s joint hottest month on record, at 1.65°C above the pre-industrial baseline, with western Europe hitting its warmest summer since 2003 and drought stressing rivers across the region including the Danube and Serbia. Education & Skills: Serbia’s PISA 2025 results report 43% of students below functional science literacy, 53% in math, and 48% in reading—another warning sign for STEM readiness. Space & Innovation: President Vučić says Serbia wants deeper practical involvement in the European space ecosystem, aiming for cooperation with France and a structured path toward ESA. Business Links to China: Serbia’s chamber highlights CIFIT in Xiamen as a deal-making platform, citing aviation, agriculture and tourism cooperation plus Serbian products entering local retail. Tech & Society: UN Women warns AI risks deepening inequality for women, while Serbia’s student movement launches an election campaign in Novi Sad ahead of October 25 polls. Science in Serbia: Archaeologists report a rare Roman imperial bath complex in eastern Serbia, with heated floors and basins inside a monumental tower.

Space & Diplomacy: President Aleksandar Vučić said Serbia wants deeper, practical involvement in the European space ecosystem, aiming for cooperation with France and a structured path toward ESA ties, while also using the Paris summit for high-level bilateral meetings. Climate Extremes: Copernicus data says August was the world’s joint hottest month on record, tied with July 2023, at 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels, with severe drought hitting parts of Europe including Serbia and record-low river flows. AI & Gender: UN Women warned that only a small share of national AI strategies mention gender, warning AI could deepen inequality unless women shape digital governance. Cybersecurity & Activism: Reports highlight Serbia-linked spyware abuse against student and activist targets, adding pressure on the commercial spyware industry and investors. Geopolitics of Water: A new analysis frames water as a growing Balkan security issue, linking drought, reservoirs, and cross-border river management to wider regional stability. UN Maps: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map,” backing equal-area projections to better reflect Africa’s size in schools and digital platforms. Serbia-Tech Policy: Foreign Minister Marko Đurić told a US delegation Serbia’s priorities include EU membership and regional stability, while also stressing science and people-to-people cooperation.

Climate & Water Stress: Copernicus says August was the world’s joint hottest month on record at 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels, with extreme heat and drought hitting parts of Europe including Serbia and very low river flows. Serbia–Uzbekistan Tech & Industry: Serbia and Uzbekistan signed deals on renewables/green tech and on mobility and labor migration, while Vučić also said Serbia could start producing long-range ballistic missiles within a year and is open to cooperation. Rail 5G for FRMCS: Quectel unveiled an upgraded 5G module for train systems, developed at its European research center in New Belgrade, supporting Europe’s shift toward FRMCS by 2030. Cybersecurity & Elections: Reports highlight a growing spyware wave targeting Serbian student activists ahead of the October election, raising concerns about digital interference. Education & Research Governance: Staff at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš allege the Ministry of Science is applying pressure during reaccreditation, potentially affecting research status. Global Policy Tech: The UN backed “Equal Earth” mapping to better reflect Africa’s size, with Serbia among abstainers. Student Exchange (Pharma): A Belgrade internship helped a pharmacy student run quality-control testing on marigold (Calendula officinalis) for therapeutic use.

Serbia–Uzbekistan Tech & Energy Deals: Serbia and Uzbekistan exchanged 20 bilateral documents in Belgrade, including cooperation on digitalisation, e-government, ICT, renewable energy and green technologies, mobility and labour migration, customs, transport, and a working group for a possible free trade agreement. Defence Industry Push: President Vučić said Serbia aims to start producing long-range ballistic missiles within a year and is ready to cooperate with Uzbekistan on the field, building on existing short-range production. Rail 5G Upgrade for Europe: Quectel unveiled an upgraded 5G module (RG660Qx) for FRMCS rail systems, developed at its European research centre in New Belgrade, as Europe moves from GSM-R to 5G. Online Child Safety Alarm: UNICEF and partners estimate about 20 million children faced online sexual abuse or exploitation in one year, with social media platforms driving a large share of cases, including in Serbia. Governance & Elections: Vučić called a snap parliamentary election for Oct. 25 after months of protests, dissolving parliament and setting up a major political test. Regulated Tech Compliance (Global): The SEC and FDA signed a three-year MOU to strengthen enforcement cooperation around FDA-regulated disclosures affecting investors.

UN Map Policy: India reiterated that the UN’s “Correct the Map” push for equal-area projections is a technical move to preserve the relative sizes of continents, while stressing it doesn’t endorse any private map and doesn’t override India’s official territorial depictions. Serbia–Uzbekistan Tech & Digital: Serbia and Uzbekistan signed 20 bilateral documents in Belgrade, including deals on digitalisation, e-government, ICT, renewable energy and green technologies, plus transport and labour mobility—aiming to deepen practical cooperation. AI Safety Warning: UN human rights chief Volker Türk warned that advanced AI could become an existential risk without binding rules, independent oversight, and clear limits, urging “cast iron guarantees” and tighter safety cooperation. Cybersecurity: A new ransomware-as-a-service operation, Panzer, is advertising cross-platform attacks (Windows, Linux, ESXi, FreeBSD) and has already posted alleged victims including Serbia. Online Child Protection: UNICEF’s report estimates about 20 million children faced online sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with social media platforms driving a large share and reporting to authorities staying extremely low.

UN Cartography Push: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution, promoting the Equal Earth equal-area projection to better reflect Africa’s size; 164 voted yes, the US voted no, and Serbia abstained. Serbia–Uzbekistan Trade Drive: Serbia and Uzbekistan held their first Joint Commission meeting in Belgrade, aiming to turn political momentum into more trade, investment, and joint projects; agriculture and food exports are a key growth area. Belgrade–Uzbek Summit: President Vučić welcomed Uzbek President Mirziyoyev with a state ceremony and said the top priority is signing a free trade agreement. Air Defence Watch: Pakistan showcased a Chinese HQ-17AE short-range air defence system in a promotional video, a move analysts say could improve counter-drone protection; Serbia is already listed among foreign users. Cybersecurity: A new ransomware-as-a-service operation, Panzer, is advertising cross-platform attack support (Windows, Linux, ESXi, FreeBSD) and has posted alleged victims including Serbia. Space Cooperation: Russia signed a draft agreement with Serbia for peaceful outer-space cooperation, including remote sensing and satellite work. Mining Update: DPM Metals reported new high-grade copper-gold-silver intercepts at Dumitru Potok and expanded its 2026 drilling program.

UN “Correct the Map” Vote: The UN General Assembly backed the Equal Earth equal-area projection over Mercator, voting 164-1 with six abstentions including Serbia—pushing governments, schools and tech firms to use maps that better reflect Africa’s true size. Serbia-Russia Space Cooperation: Russia signed a draft 10-year agreement with Serbia for peaceful outer-space research, including space medicine, remote sensing and satellite systems, with Roscosmos authorized to negotiate. Serbia Spyware in Elections: Citizen Lab’s John Scott-Railton says he’s highly confident Pegasus spyware targeted Serbian student activists, warning that one intrusion often signals more. Serbia-Uzbekistan Deals: Uzbekistan’s President Mirziyoyev arrived in Belgrade for talks aimed at investment, labor mobility and transport links, with multiple agreements expected. Digital Safety Standards (Global): China released an international standard for automotive AI safety and an audio-signal sensor interface for autonomous driving—aimed at improving “ears” for safer perception. Economy & Productivity: ILO data ranks Serbia mid-pack on labor productivity among Western Balkans, highlighting a persistent regional challenge. Metals Watch: Minrex is advancing a Serbia copper project to produce gold-silver concentrate, betting on shifting smelter economics. Local Tech Governance: Serbia’s election process is criticized as worse than 2023, with concerns raised about digital media regulation and media dominance.

UN Cartography Push: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution, urging wider use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth to better reflect Africa’s true size and other equatorial regions, while stressing it doesn’t replace Mercator or redraw borders. Serbia-EU Tech & Governance: Serbia’s election process is being described as worse than in 2023, with critics pointing to media dominance, digital-media regulation gaps, and election-law loopholes. Spyware & Digital Rights: Serbian student and opposition targets are again in the spotlight as researchers and digital-rights groups allege Pegasus and other mercenary spyware infections during the election run-up. Disaster Tech Cooperation: Serbia’s PM Djuro Macut met UNDRR head Kamal Kishore to boost early-warning systems, risk assessment, and modern tech/data sharing for disaster risk reduction. IoT for Rail: Belgrade’s Quectel announced an LGA 5G module supporting FRMCS, aiming to help rail operators test the next-gen standard replacing GSM-R. Space & Industry: A Deep Space Exploration (Tiandu) conference opened in Hefei, unveiling new labs and partnerships that include Serbia’s astronomical community. Archaeology: Excavations in eastern Serbia uncovered a Roman emperor-era bath inside a fortified palace tower, adding new detail to the site’s imperial-era life.

UN Cartography Push: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution (164-1) encouraging governments, schools and tech companies to use equal-area projections like Equal Earth instead of Mercator, which visually shrinks Africa; the US voted no, while Serbia abstained. Serbia Tech Angle: A Belgrade-led study proposes recurrent neural networks plus optimized metaheuristics to spot click fraud in online ads, aiming to protect ad-funded services. Cyber Safety & Abuse: UNICEF reports about 20 million children (12–17) across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse, with Serbia included in the newer survey wave. Diplomacy & Mobility: Saudi Arabia and Serbia signed a visa-waiver deal for holders of diplomatic and official passports, with both sides flagging science and technology cooperation. Politics: Serbia’s ruling SNS unanimously named Aleksandar Vučić as its prime minister candidate for upcoming elections.

UN Cartography Push: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution promoting equal-area world maps (Equal Earth) over Mercator, with 164 votes for and the US the only no; Serbia abstained, while the move is framed as improving how Africa’s size is perceived in schools, media and digital platforms. Serbia Politics: Serbia’s ruling SNS unanimously named Aleksandar Vučić as its candidate for prime minister, with the party list “Aleksandar Vučić – United Serbia,” and said the campaign is starting. Cybersecurity & Online Safety: A new study from researchers in Belgrade and Pristina reports recurrent neural networks tuned with metaheuristics to detect click fraud, targeting ad revenue losses and distorted campaign signals. Digital Child Protection: UNICEF warns that 20 million children faced online sexual abuse or exploitation in one year, with Serbia listed among the lowest-exposure region in a cross-country breakdown. Space Tech: China is planning a 3D satellite network for cislunar space monitoring, sending 30 CubeSats into highly elliptical Earth orbits to track solar activity and space weather; Serbia is among the participating countries. Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia and Serbia signed a visa-waiver deal for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, urging wider use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth to better show the relative size of continents—especially Africa—over the centuries-old Mercator view. The vote was 164–1, with the U.S. the only no, and Serbia among six abstentions (Estonia, Georgia, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine). The resolution is non-binding and doesn’t ban Mercator, but it pushes governments, schools, media and tech platforms to consider Equal Earth when area accuracy matters. Serbia Angle: Serbia abstained, aligning with other states that signaled caution while the debate turns into a broader fight over representation and “cognitive justice.” Digital Safety Watch: UNICEF reported that 20 million children worldwide were exposed to online sexual abuse or exploitation in one year, with Europe and Central Asia (including Serbia) at the lowest regional rate (8%) among surveyed regions. Tech & Security: A new Panzer ransomware operation listed alleged victims in multiple countries including Serbia, combining data theft and file encryption. Space Tech: A China-led plan for a 3D cislunar satellite network to track solar activity and cosmic explosions includes Serbia among participating countries.