The Energy Summit in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2024 in Neum, which will last until April 26, was officially opened on Wednesday.
The event is organized by the Government of the United States of America through the USAID Energy Sector Assistance Project (USAID EPA), the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Office of the Special Representative of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Government of Germany through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Embassy of the Republic Czech Republic in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the British Embassy in Sarajevo.
The summit brings together key domestic and international actors, representatives of the executive and legislative authorities, energy experts and representatives of the business community.
“We are running out of time to implement reforms that are of critical importance in order to correct the years of inaction, corruption and neglect that have brought the energy sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina to a difficult state of vulnerability and dysfunction. This country must rally around the energy sector, and it must be done now. The energy sector can be a pillar of a stable and prosperous economy and society. Bosnia and Herzegovina can achieve its security before it is too late if leaders commit to immediate action, integrity, cooperation and governance that puts citizens first. But the clock is ticking, the time for action is now,” said Michael J. Murphy, Ambassador of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The German Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Thomas Fitschen, said that Germany is committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina and the countries of the region in reaching climate goals and enabling the transition from fossil fuels.
“For this purpose, the Government of Germany launched, as we call it, the Regional Climate Partnership of Germany and the six countries of the Western Balkans. Chancellor Scholz announced this partnership at last year’s Berlin Summit in Tirana, and it offers significant funds, up to 1.5 billion euros in total by 2030. I am convinced that this type of cooperation between Germany and BiH will bring enormous benefits to the economy and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Ambassador Fitschen.
The head of the office of the Embassy of the Czech Republic, Josef Zrzavecký, added that the numerous participation of Czech experts from the real sector and scientific circles at this year’s Energy Summit in Neum is one of the many axes of support for BiH on the way to EU integration.
“Clean and inclusive energy solutions are one of UNDP’s key priorities globally, and we are proud to have been supporting our partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fight against climate change for more than a decade. During these years, through projects financed by our long-term partners such as Sweden, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and others, the energy efficiency of the public sector has been significantly improved, paving the way for the implementation of green models in the housing sector as well as for business entities. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made some progress in this area, but now it is necessary to speed up and intensify these efforts towards sustainable development for all,” said Narine Sahakyan, acting resident representative of UNDP in BiH.
British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Julian Reilly says that the British Embassy is pleased to support the Energy Summit 2024, which is an opportunity to find ways to make Bosnia and Herzegovina an exporter of energy security in Europe and cash in on the abundance of natural sources of renewable energy.
“The United Kingdom supported research that shows how municipalities and local communities can use their own energy potential from renewable sources and thus be part of the response to the needs for an urgent energy transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Now is the time for local communities, companies and leaders to be innovative and take advantage of these opportunities,” emphasized Reilly, Federalna writes.
Photo: Fena/Harun Muminovic
