SHUKALB and Veolia Successfully Co-organize the “Governance of the Water Sector, Successful Capacity Building & Financing Opportunities” Conference

SHUKALB is thrilled to announce the successful organization, in partnership with Veolia, of the conference titled “Governance of the Water Sector, Successful Capacity Building & Financing Opportunities”, held in Tirana on 3 December 2024. Veolia, the newest private-sector member of SHUKALB, brought its expertise and commitment to sustainable water management to this impactful event.

The conference aimed to unite key stakeholders from government, international organizations, and the private sector to address challenges, share best practices, and explore opportunities for collaboration. By focusing on governance, capacity building, and financial opportunities, the event provided valuable insights to support the acceleration of the Albanian water sector’s transformation.

The event brought together around 100 representatives from central government, water utility companies, the Water Regulatory Authority (ERRU), National Water Supply and Sewerage Agency (AKUK), National Environmental Agency, embassies, municipalities, international financial organizations, academia, and the private sector.

The conference started with the key note speeches by H.E. Catherine Suard, Ambassador of France to Albania, Petrit Tare, President of SHUKALB, François Debergh, Veolia Regional Director Bulgaria, Greece & Albania, and Ardian Islami, Directorate of Development Programs in the Field of Water Supply and Sewerage, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy. Their remarks underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and sustainable strategies in addressing the water sector’s challenges.

The first session of the conference, titled “Governance of the Water Sector,” featured an esteemed panel of speakers, including Klevis Jahaj, General Director of AKUK; Sokol Kraja, Director of the Technical and Economic Directorate at ERRU; Petrit Tare, General Director of Korça Regional Water Supply and Sewerage; Ondrej Benes, Board Member at the Czech Industry Association for Water & Wastewater; and Stanislav Stanev, Deputy CEO of Sofiyska Voda.

This session offered diverse and insightful presentations on sector achievements, plans, and challenges, as well as improvements to the legal framework and tariff methodologies. Panelists shared best practices in efficient water utility management, explored governance models from the Czech water market, and presented a case study on addressing water challenges in an EU capital, showcasing innovative solutions from Sofia Water. The session concluded with a lively Q&A session, fostering dynamic discussions and knowledge exchange among participants.

The second session of the conference, titled “Successful Capacity Building and Financial Opportunities,” brought together distinguished speakers: Elisabeta Poçi, Executive Director of SHUKALB; Abla Filali Meknassi, Cross-functional HR Projects Director at Veolia France; Arnaud Dauphin, Director of AFD for the Western Balkans; Esra Giresunlu, Principal and Water Sector Specialist at EBRD; and Lijana Jančauskienė, Senior Engineer and Advisor at the EIB Projects Directorate.

The session featured presentations on capacity development and collaboration among sector specialists, strategies for attracting and developing the workforce, and insights into financial opportunities. Panelists highlighted AFD’s support for the Albanian water sector, the EBRD’s role in advancing sector initiatives, and EIB operations in the Western Balkans, showcasing practical solutions and fostering regional development. This session offered valuable perspectives on capacity building and financial strategies critical to the sector’s growth and sustainability.

SHUKALB extends its deepest gratitude to Veolia for its collaboration and dedication to advancing the Albanian water sector. As the newest member of SHUKALB from the private sector, Veolia exemplifies leadership in sustainable water management and innovation. With this joint conference, SHUKALB and Veolia reaffirm their commitment to building a more sustainable and resilient future for Albania’s water sector.

Learn more about Veolia’s mission and initiatives by visiting their website: https://www.veolia.com/en .