A landmark opportunity to exchange ideas, grow partnerships, and present North Macedonia to a global audience

This May, AZAS proudly took part in the 50th General Assembly of SCAPR (Society of Collective Administration of Performers’ Rights), hosted in Ljubljana by our close partners at AIPA (Slovenia) and the International Federation of Musicians and Performers (IPF). This milestone event gathered more than 150 delegates from 71 organizations and 52 countries all over the world, including professionals from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia, to discuss key developments in the global collective management of performers’ rights.

AZAS at the Opening Panel: A Voice from North Macedonia

AZAS was honored to actively participate in the opening panel of the General Assembly, focused on collective management in the Balkans, represented by Mr. Kiril Gjozev, Secretary General of AZAS. His presence marked an important moment for North Macedonia, placing local performers at the heart of international discussions on rights protection, legal reform, and the future of digital distribution.

“We are extremely grateful to SCAPR for the invitation and for providing AZAS the space to participate in such a prestigious and impactful event,” said Mr. Gjozev. “Being part of the opening panel was a unique opportunity to present our perspectives to an international audience of more than 150 delegates. It was also a moment to listen, learn, and connect – to hear how others are tackling shared challenges and to introduce our work to new global partners. We return to Skopje more motivated than ever, with new ideas, inspiration, and a clear sense of where we want to go next.”

A Hub of Global Exchange: Ljubljana as the Center of the Performers’ Rights World

This year’s Assembly took place under the theme of global connectivity and cooperation. The program focused on:

• Best practices in licensing, monitoring, and remuneration for performers;
• New technologies and tools for rights documentation and international payments;
• Governance and transparency in collective management organizations;
• Legislative trends in the EU and other regions regarding fair remuneration and digital use of works.

Ljubljana was recognized throughout the event as a growing center of dialogue and innovation for the rights of performers. The city hosted not only the General Assembly, but also networking events, bilateral meetings, and parallel workshops that encouraged open and solution-driven exchange.

Strengthening AZAS’s International Profile

AZAS used the opportunity to deepen cooperation with organizations from the region and beyond, holding informal talks with representatives of SCAPR members and other key networks. Our delegation shared experiences from the Macedonian context, including the urgent need for legislative reform and stronger institutional support for collective rights management.

These contacts will serve as a foundation for future collaboration – both in bilateral partnerships and in multi-country initiatives aimed at building more sustainable and inclusive systems for AV creators and performers.

Moving Forward with Confidence

AZAS expresses its heartfelt thanks to SCAPR, AIPA, and IPF for organizing and hosting this major event, and for their continued support of developing CMOs across Europe and the Western Balkans. We are proud to have taken part in this global forum, and we remain committed to bringing international knowledge and energy back to North Macedonia – in service of our members and the wider cultural and creative sector.