AGP Executive Report

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.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed an African-led push to “correct the map,” encouraging wider use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth so Africa appears closer to its real size, while North America and Europe look smaller; 164 countries voted yes, the US voted no, and Serbia abstained. Space Tech: China kicked off an international cislunar CubeSat constellation plan with 30 small satellites to monitor solar activity and cosmic explosions, with Serbia listed among participating countries. Cybersecurity: A new Panzer ransomware operation claims 16 victims across 11 countries, including Serbia, combining data theft with file encryption. Digital Rights in Serbia: Forensic groups say Serbia’s student movement was hit with Pegasus-style zero-click spyware via iMessage, and Apple has since patched the flaw in iOS 18.4.1. Bilateral Tech & Industry: Uzbekistan’s president will visit Serbia Sept. 7–8 for talks spanning transport, engineering, IT, agriculture, pharma, and labor migration. EU/Local Tech Policy: Serbia’s new Personal Data Protection Act is set to expand obligations for businesses handling personal data, aligning more closely with EU rules.

Cybersecurity in Serbia: Citizen Lab and Amnesty say Serbia used NSO Group’s Pegasus zero-click spyware against pro-democracy student activists, with Apple patching the flaw in iOS 18.4.1; Serbia’s BIA rejects the claims as “trivial sensationalism,” but SHARE says this is the largest documented mercenary spyware wave ahead of October elections. Digital Safety: UNICEF reports about 20 million children (ages 12–17) across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual abuse or exploitation, with social media driving more than half of cases and major underreporting. Space Tech: China launched the Cislunar CubeSat Constellation (C3) with 30 satellites to continuously monitor solar radiation across Earth–Moon space, aiming to improve crew safety for future lunar missions. AI/Robotics Industry: Serbia opened Europe’s first mass-production humanoid robot factory, positioning the country for large-scale automation. Archaeology & Engineering: Excavations at Vrelo–Šarkamen in eastern Serbia uncovered a lavish Roman emperor bath complex with heated floors, multiple pools, and a domed, windowed design. Data Protection: Serbia’s new Personal Data Protection Act is moving toward EU-aligned rules, with businesses urged to prepare for expanded obligations.

Spyware & Elections: Serbia’s student and civil society groups say at least 14 people were targeted with mercenary spyware, including zero-click Pegasus infections on iPhones, with Citizen Lab and Amnesty International involved; Serbia’s BIA denies the claims as “sensationalism,” setting up a sharp clash over election-era digital security. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 20 million children (ages 12–17) across 21 countries faced online sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with nearly 60% of cases linked to social media—Serbia is included in the surveyed sample. Space Collaboration: China launched an international cislunar Cubesat constellation plan to monitor the space between Earth and the Moon; institutions from Serbia are listed among participating partners, with deployment aimed around 2030. Robotics & Industry: Serbia is highlighted in China’s push to modernize manufacturing and in coverage of humanoid robot mass-production efforts tied to Serbia-China projects. Telecom Expansion: Telekom Srbija Group opened MTEL Germany’s 10th Frankfurt store, expanding in-person telecom and digital services for the Serbian diaspora across DACH. Ancient Tech in Serbia: Archaeologists uncovered a highly engineered Roman private bath complex in eastern Serbia, including heated floors and a hypocaust system, inside a fortified palace tower.

Spyware Crackdown: Serbian student activists and opposition figures say they were hit in 2026’s “largest documented wave” of mercenary surveillance, with Citizen Lab and Amnesty confirming Pegasus (via an iMessage zero-click exploit) and NoviSpy on Android devices; Serbia’s BIA denies the claims. Digital Child Safety: UNICEF estimates about 20 million children (ages 12–17) across 21 countries faced online sexual abuse or exploitation in a year, with nearly 60% of cases linked to social media. Space Science: China’s Tianwen-3 Mars mission has entered prototype development, prioritizing a search for traces of ancient life ahead of a planned launch around 2028. Local Tech & Telecom: Telekom Srbija Group opened MTEL Germany’s 10th Frankfurt retail store, expanding services for the Serbian diaspora across the DACH region. Immigration & Work Rules: Serbia announced six job categories foreign nationals can do without a work permit, limited to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Archaeology: Excavations at Vrelo–Šarkamen in eastern Serbia uncovered a remarkably preserved Roman private bath inside an imperial palace tower.

Spyware & Digital Rights: Serbia’s student and opposition-linked activists say they were hit by advanced mercenary spyware ahead of the March local elections, with Citizen Lab confirming a Pegasus “zero-click” iMessage infection on a Serbian student’s iPhone (Dec 2025–Jan 2026) and SHARE reporting at least 14 targeted people in 2026, while Serbian authorities deny state involvement. Child Online Safety: UNICEF estimates about 20 million internet-using children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced sexual exploitation or abuse in one year, with nearly 60% of cases on social media and fewer than 1% reaching police or support services; the study also flags rising risks from AI-manipulated deepfakes. Telecom & Expansion: Telekom Srbija Group opened MTEL Germany’s 10th Frankfurt store, pushing telecom, TV and digital services for the Serbian and Western Balkan diaspora across the DACH region. Space-to-Fire Tech: Bridger Aerospace and OroraTech are integrating satellite thermal intelligence into Bridger’s IGNIS wildfire software to improve early detection and fire spread planning for responders. Energy & Diplomacy: Serbia and Saudi Arabia discussed cooperation in energy and ICT, with EXPO 2027 Belgrade and EXPO 2030 Riyadh framed as a route to concrete projects.

Online Safety Shock: UNICEF estimates ~20 million internet-using children across 21 countries faced sexual exploitation or abuse online in a single year, with more than one in five ages 12–17 affected and nearly 60% of cases linked to social media. Serbia Cybersecurity: SHARE Foundation and Citizen Lab report a major spyware wave ahead of Serbia’s March elections, with 14 people targeted; confirmed Pegasus infections and NoviSpy variants were found on devices of student activists and opposition figures. Robotics & Industry: Serbia is rolling out Europe’s first mass-production humanoid robot factory, with Vučić highlighting armed robotic dogs as the Chinese-Serbian project ramps up. Education & Tech Policy: Serbia submitted a bill to establish the Orthodox University “St. Sava,” but key details like faculties and programs were still not publicly set as of late August. Cloud Computing Law (Region): Qatar’s Cabinet approved a draft cloud computing law aimed at data storage, security, privacy safeguards, and lawful access. Energy & Digital Infrastructure (Business): Swiss-Serbian partners and local industry groups keep pushing investment in education and digital infrastructure as Serbia’s private investment lags despite high public spending.