Energy Summit 2023 in Bosnia and Herzegovina started today in Neum. The United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Energy Policy Activity (USAID EPA) project, the British Embassy Sarajevo, the Office of European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Government, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, are organizing the Energy Summit 2023 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from April 26 to 28, 2023, in Neum. The Summit will bring together representatives of the executive and legislative authorities, experts in the field of energy, and business entities who will discuss the most pressing issues in the BiH energy sector through seven thematic panels, workshops, and presentations of ongoing projects.
“Since the United States organized the first BiH Energy Summit in 2015, all of us here – representing governments, the energy industry, the private sector, civil society, and the international community – have together made important progress towards greater energy security and the transition to a sustainable green energy economy. I have very urgent message to BiH lawmakers: Time is limited for BiH to set its energy future on the right path. That path is clear: An energy sector that is integrated and aligned with the EU, protected from supply and cyber security threats, and transitioned to greener, more sustainable energy sources”, stressed Michael J. Murphy, Ambassador of the United States of America,
„The British Embassy is very pleased to support the Energy Summit 2023. Given that BiH is a country with abundant hydro, solar and wind potential, energy transition provides a great opportunity for BiH to develop into a renewables-based economy and thus become more competitive. Adopting renewables-friendly policies and legislation, coupled with an injection of investment are the best guarantee of BiH’s long-term energy security which underpins its economic stability. The process of transition to clean and renewable energy should belong to citizens and can unlock a triple prize for BiH: energy security, more affordable energy prices and cleaner air. As a champion of green growth, the UK is here to help BiH to achieve the goals of a just, inclusive and growth-friendly energy transition”, underlined Julian Reilly, British Ambassador to BiH.
“There is no good reason not to embrace a cleaner future. The European Union is ready to provide financial resources and expertise to BiH for energy transition through several instruments – the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, the Economic and Investment Plan and the EU4Energy project, as well as through the EU’s Energy Support Package, which will bring EUR 70 million to support the most vulnerable households in BiH and aid the energy transition. Energy transition is key to improving the quality of life in BiH and for the path the EU, and we will continue to be a loyal friend and partner to this country for a more sustainable future,” said Ambassador Johann Sattler, the Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative in BiH.
“Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina work together to ensure a sustainable future through energy transition and climate action. We support BiH to implement its National Energy and Climate Plan through technical cooperation implemented by the GIZ and financial assistance coming from the KfW. The Regional Climate Partnership for the Western Balkans agreed at last year’s Berlin Summit will give additional impetus to BiH to achieve its emission reduction goals. It is evident, for our two countries, the region and the world at large: our climate targets can only be reached together”, said Dr. Thomas Fitschen, Ambassador of Germany to Bosnia and Herzegovina
„Clean and inclusive energy solutions are a key priority for UNDP globally and we are proud to support our partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the climate change agenda for over a decade. During these years, through projects financed by our long-term partners such as Sweden, Green Climate Fund (GCF) and others, energy efficiency agenda in the public sector was considerably advanced, paving the way for greening models in the residential sector and for businesses. BiH has made some concrete advancements in this area, but now is the time to scale up and speed up these efforts. Accessible and clean energy means cleaner air and environment, budget savings, green jobs. What is good for people and for the planet is good also for the economy and for businesses“, said Steliana Nedera, UNDP Resident Representative to BiH.
“Transferring know-how from Czech Republic to Bosnia and Herzegovina from both public and private sector is something we are very proud of and that is exactly why it is important for us to be part of this event. Czech expertise in the areas of energy efficiency, cyber security and other related topics is an opportunity for strengthening relations among our two countries through development and economic cooperation”, said Ivana Hlavsova, Ambassador of Czech Republic to BiH.
The largest summit of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to raise the most important issues in the field of energy and bring together key domestic and international actors. It is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the State Regulatory Commission for Electricity, the Regulatory Commission for Energy of Republika Srpska, and the Regulatory Commission for Energy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.