Dr. Meglena Plugtschieva is the Ambassador of BUBSPA. She has served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Montenegro, to the Swiss Confederation and the Principality of Liechtenstein, and to the Federal Republic of Germany. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Plugtschieva has also held the positions of Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament of the Republic of Bulgaria. In recognition of her significant contributions to diplomacy and international relations, she has been awarded the Federal Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (“Cross of Merit 1st Class” and “Grand Cross of Merit with Star”), as well as the Medal of Merit of Montenegro.

At the European Spas & Balneology Congress 2025 in Haapsalu, she will participate in the panel discussion “Europe’s Hidden Healthcare Power. Why Spas Belong in the Future of Public Health?” She will give insight into how to think from a political person’s perspective to lobby for health, innovation, and tourism.