2024 Danube Water Forum: Active Participation by Albanian Delegation

The 2024 Danube Water Forum was held on 29 and 30 May 2024, in Brasov, Romania, organized by the Danube Water Program, run by the International Association of Water Companies in the Danube River Catchment Area, IAWD and the World Bank, and co-funded by the Austrian Government, in cooperation with the Utility of the Future – Center of Excellence. The event was hosted by IAWD members Compania Apa Brasov and the Romanian Water Association, ARA.

This year’s forum, themed “Riding the Wave: Water Sector Innovations for a New Climate Reality,” achieved a record-breaking participation of over 300 young and senior water sector professionals from more than 28 countries. The forum aimed to foster cooperation and knowledge exchange to address the water sector’s challenges, presenting best practice examples and innovative strategies to ensure high-quality service amidst a constantly changing environment.

Sixty experts took the stage during the two-day event, presenting on a variety of crucial topics, including:

• Climate change-related challenges
• Trends in wastewater treatment
• Water reuse and circular economy
• Proactive water resources management
• Climate-resilient water service strategies
• Creative human resource management
• Innovative approaches and technologies for sustainable utility management
• Effective communication for water services

A significant delegation from Albania attended the forum, including representatives from several water utilities, the National Water Supply and Sewerage Agency (AKUK), the Water Regulatory Authority (WRA), and SHUKALB.

SHUKALB was represented at the forum by Olta Alla, Manager of Programs and Training Coordinator, and Alban Kushi, Manager of Member Services.

Among the distinguished Albanian speakers were:

• Elsa Belba, Specialist at AKUK and representative of YWP Group Albania, who was a panelist at the Forum Opening Session and Co-chair of Sessions 4 and 5 titled “Circling the Drain – Trends in Wastewater Treatment, Water Reuse, and Circular Economy.”
• Enkelejda Gjinali, Lecturer at the Polytechnic University of Tirana who chaired these sessions alongside Mrs. Belba.

The participation and active involvement of Albanian participants in the 2024 Danube Water Forum underscored their commitment to addressing the pressing issues in the water sector. The forum provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and showcased Albania’s dedication to adopting innovative strategies and practices to meet the challenges of a new climate reality.