Five Days of Discussions on Energy Transition and Responses to Climate Change Challenges
(Sarajevo, September 26, 2023) The first “Sarajevo Energy and Climate Week – SECW 2023” was officially opened today by the Sarajevo Chamber of Commerce and numerous local and international partners and institutions. The event has gathered over 1,000 experts from all corners of the world. The aim of the week is clear: how to accelerate key energy reform processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina and how to offer adequate responses to the challenges posed by climate change.
“Energy is one of the most important sectors we need to discuss in the coming period. All the experts present here today can point to this importance. We are preparing to adopt a comprehensive legal framework for energy and decarbonization,” said Vedran Lakić, Federal Minister of Energy, Mining, and Industry.
“We are constantly monitoring initiatives coming from entrepreneurs. The year 2050 is not far off, and we must prepare for all the reforms ahead. It is in our interest to discuss the importance of energy sector transition and the implementation of every step on this path through conferences like this one,” explained Mirsad Jašarspahić, Vice President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Chamber of Commerce, which is the organizer of the Week.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing a period of adopting important and complex decisions regarding the future of the energy sector, guided by global declarations and regulations that take into account all aspects of energy needs and environmental protection. “There are major changes happening in the energy sector worldwide. Bosnia and Herzegovina is on the path of energy transition, but the first thing that needs to be established are legal frameworks that would allow for the efficient implementation of this transition. The changes are tough, but these legal system changes are the hardest, yet necessary for progress,” emphasized Courtney Chubb, Director of the USAID Mission in BiH.
“The need for energy changes has never been clearer than today. No country on our continent is fully protected from the consequences of climate change unless we take adequate steps. The reform of the energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina is not only of national but also regional importance,” said Adebayo Babajide, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH.
“I am proud of my country, which is a partner of this important conference happening at the right moment. Norway can help a lot in the development of clean energy in Bosnia and Herzegovina as we are one of the leading countries in the transition to clean energy,” said Olav Reinertsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, adding that it is high time to form a large global coalition to address all the challenges of climate change.
“This is not the first time we are engaged in the energy sector in BiH. Our country will present the expertise of 20 specialists during the week, showcasing all the knowledge regarding energy sector development. My country underwent the same reform 20 years ago, and we know what kind of path that is,” said Josef Zrzavecký from the Czech Embassy.
The Sarajevo Energy and Climate Week is programmatically and financially supported by partner countries such as the Czech Republic and Norway, the British and Swedish Embassies in BiH, the World Energy Council, the U.S. Government USAID EPA Project, UNDP, GIZ, UNECE, IRENA, EBRD, the World Bank, the EU4Energy project, SEI, PIN, FIC, EPBiH, EPHZHB, Procredit Bank, NLB Bank, Lukavac and Kakanj Cement Plants, KFW, PRANA, GS-Machine Factory Travnik, RCB Nanotechnologies, Thermoflux, Messer, Porsche Sarajevo, Mega Tel, Hitel Hills, GEIA, People in Need, and the Economic, Mechanical, and Natural Sciences Faculties of the University of Sarajevo.
Media partners: Business Magazine, Energy Portal, Akta.ba, RSG Radio, FENA, m-kvadrat, Antena Sarajevo, Manager.ba, and Pit.ba.
For more information about the agenda, participants, and partners, visit the official SECW website at www.secw.ba.
