{"id":8650,"date":"2024-12-13T10:35:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T09:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shukalb.al\/?p=8650"},"modified":"2024-12-13T15:35:17","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T14:35:17","slug":"promoting-peace-through-water-record-breaking-success-at-the-12th-balkans-joint-conference-and-exhibition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shukalb.al\/?p=8650&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Promoting Peace Through Water: Record-Breaking Success at the 12th Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Promoting Peace Through Water: Record-Breaking Success at the 12th<\/sup> Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition<\/strong><\/h1>\n
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Conference participants
Photo Credit: Balkans Joint Conference & Exhibition (BJC&E)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 12th Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition<\/a>, “Neighborly Cooperation: Promoting Peace through Transboundary Water Management”<\/strong><\/span>, organized jointly by SHUKALB and SHUKOS on November 5 to 7, 2024 <\/strong><\/span>in Prishtina, Kosova<\/span>, <\/strong>broke another record of participation, with over 500 water professionals from 21 countries, representing utilities, private companies, academic institutions, donors, and government entities at all levels. As always, the event provided an exceptional platform for knowledge exchange and networking, fostering connections among professionals dedicated to improving the water sector in the Balkans.<\/p>\n

Prior to the Opening Ceremony, on 5 November, several Pre-Conference events were organized to include the Launch Event of the Water Operators Partnerships in South-Eastern Europe (WOP SEE), <\/strong>the Stakeholders Coordination Meeting: \u201cCapacity Development Products, Best Practices and the Way Forward on Wastewater Management\u201d; <\/strong>the Mastering Utility Benchmarking HUB for Kosovo and Albania: Using UBP Platform for Optimal Performance; <\/strong>the Young Water Professionals Forum<\/strong> from Kosovo and Albania; the Dutch Innovations in Wastewater Management and Flood Protection for Kosovo,<\/strong> which was organized again on 8 November with the participation of Albanian water sector stakeholders.<\/p>\n

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Petrit Tare, President of SHUKALB, during the Opening Ceremony
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Conference Opening Ceremony in the evening of 5 November started with the welcome addresses by the President of SHUKALB, Petrit Tare<\/strong> and the President of SHUKOS, Jeton Shabani,<\/strong> who greeted the participants and invited them to follow the program of the conference during the next two days and to visit the technical exhibit of the private sector that is organized in parallel with the conference.<\/p>\n

The opening ceremony continued with greeting remarks of H.E. J\u00fcrg Sprecher<\/strong>, Ambassador of Switzerland, H.E. Karin Boven<\/strong>, Ambassador of the Netherlands and Mr. Daniel Alker<\/strong>, Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of Germany in Kosova. Their words emphasized how partnership can build peace.<\/p>\n

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Prof. Enkelejda Gjinali, Polytechnic University of Tirana receiving the award of SHUKALB \u201cA Life in the Water Sector\u201d by Petrit Tare, President of SHUKALB.
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Opening Ceremony continued with the traditional awards ceremony to recognize the efforts of individuals who have had an impact with their work and efforts for bettering the water sector. SHUKALB\u2019s “Board of Directors ” award was granted to Prof. Enkelejda Gjinali<\/strong>, Environmental Engineering Department, Polytechnic University of Tirana, while SHUKALB\u2019s \u201cA Life in the Water Sector\u201d awards were granted to Ndri\u00e7im Shani<\/strong>, Former Chair of Albanian Water Regulatory Authority, and Edmond Ko\u00e7i<\/strong>, Director of Distribution at Durres Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company.\u00a0 SHUKOS\u2019s “Board of Directors ” award was granted to Burbuqe Nushi Latifi<\/strong>, National Institute of Public Health of Kosova, while SHUKOS \u201cA Life in the Water Sector\u201d awards were granted to Avni Caka, <\/strong>Regional Water Company of Gjakova, and Agim Demaj<\/strong>, Regional Water Company of Prishtina.<\/p>\n

The Opening Ceremony was concluded with the official opening of the Technical Exhibition.<\/p>\n

The Technical Program of the Conference consisted of 12 thematically diverse sessions organized into 8 different Parallel Sessions and 4 Plenary Sessions, which addressed over 40 presentations, covering a broad range of multifaceted topics.<\/p>\n

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Elisabeta Po\u00e7i, Executive Director of SHUKALB at the opening of the 1st day of the Conference
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Technical Conference Program started in the morning of 6 November, with a welcome by Elisabeta Po\u00e7i<\/strong>, Executive Director of SHUKALB, who provided an overview of the pre-conference activities that took place the previous day and the Program for the 1st<\/sup> day of the Conference. She also acknowledged the contribution of the sponsors who supported the organization of the event.<\/p>\n

The Conference continued with a keynote address by Armin Bigham Ghazani<\/strong>, Associate Environmental Affairs Officer, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), who participated online and delivered a presentation titled \u201c\u201cHarnessing Multilateral Environmental Agreements for Sustainable Development: The 1992 Water Convention and its Protocol on Water and Health\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The first Plenary Session of the program \u201cBuilding Bridges: The Role of Transboundary Water Management in Strengthening Regional Cooperation\u201d
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first plenary session of the program titled \u201cBuilding Bridges: The Role of Transboundary Water Management in Strengthening Regional Cooperation<\/em><\/strong>\u201d was in line with the overall theme of the conference. The session was moderated by Elisabeta Poci, <\/strong>Executive Director, <\/strong>SHUKALB and co-moderated by Florent Demelezi<\/strong>, Young Water Professional, Kosova.\u00a0 The panelists who joined the discussions were Arduen Karagjozi<\/strong>, Director of Strategic Management, Water Resources Management Agency, Albania; Ylber Mirta<\/strong>, Head of Water Department, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, North Macedonia; Fatlije Buza<\/strong>, Head of the Water Resources Planning Division, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Kosova; Bashkim Kurti<\/strong>, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company Mitrovica, Kosova; and Baton Begolli<\/strong>, Expert in the Water Sector, Kosova.<\/p>\n

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The second plenary session \u201cAdapting to a Changing Climate: Managing Water Scarcity, Droughts, and Floods in the Western Balkans\u201d
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second plenary session \u201cAdapting to a Changing Climate: Managing Water Scarcity, Droughts, and Floods in the Western Balkans<\/em><\/strong>\u201d was moderated by Prof.Dr. Albena Reshitaj, <\/strong>Member of the Commission for Environment, Food, Agriculture, Planning and Development and Head of the PG for<\/p>\n

Water Law Monitoring, Parliamentary Commission, Kosova and co-moderated by Erdonita Humolli<\/strong>, Project Manager, SHUKOS.\u00a0 The panelists who joined the discussion were \u00a0Zef Ma\u00e7i<\/strong>, Director, Lezha Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania; Raimund Mair<\/strong>, Senior Water Resources Management Specialist, World Bank, Austria; Fitore Pacolli Dalipi<\/strong>, Head of Commission for Environment, Food, Agriculture and Planning and Development, Parliamentary Commission, Kosova; Fadil Berisha<\/strong>, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company Southern Hydroregion, Prizren, Kosova; Sylejman Latifi, <\/strong>Protection from Harmful Actions Officer, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Kosova; and Bashkim Kastrati<\/strong>, Integrated Drought Management System and measures to mitigate the impact of the climate change in Kosova Project, SHUKOS&GWPCCE, Kosova.<\/p>\n

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The third plenary session \u201cUrban Wastewater Treatment Directive: Opportunities to Leapfrog\u201d
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The third plenary session \u201cUrban Wastewater Treatment Directive: Opportunities to Leapfrog<\/em>\u201d <\/strong>was moderated by Jovan Gjika, <\/strong>Project Coordinator, National Agency of Water Supply and Sewerage, Albania and co-moderated by Megi Marku, <\/strong>Young Water Professional, Albania.\u00a0 The panelists who joined the discussion were Arben Musaj<\/strong>, Project Coordinator, National Agency of Water Supply and Sewerage, Albania; Ljupka Dimovska Zajkov<\/strong>, Deputy Head of Water Department, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, North Macedonia; Francois Debergh<\/strong>, Country Director Bulgaria and Greece, Development Director for Southern Balkans, Veolia; Fatlije Buza<\/strong>, Head of the Water Resources Planning Division, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Kosova; Zvonko Naumoski<\/strong>, Advisor for Capacity Development, Regional Capacity Developement Project, GIZ, North Macedonia; and Lindita Troka<\/strong>, Water and Sanitation Consultant, World Bank, Albania.<\/p>\n

The Conference program continued with parallel sessions dedicated to \u201cSustainable Management of Water Resources\u201d; \u201cTechnical Management of Water Supply and Sanitation Systems\u201d <\/strong>and \u201cManagement of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies\u201d.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Bekim Juniku, Deputy Executive Director of SHUKOS, at the opening of the 2nd day of the Conference
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Getoar Mjeku, Deputy Minister of Economy of Kosova delivering the greeting remarks.
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The second day of the conference, November 7th<\/sup>, began with a welcome address by Bekim Juniku<\/strong>, Deputy Executive Director of SHUKOS, who greeted the participants and provided a brief recap of the previous day’s events. The conference also featured remarks from Getoar Mjeku<\/strong>, Deputy Minister of Economy of Kosova.<\/p>\n

The Conference continued with a keynote address by Harsha Ratnaweera, <\/strong>Professor in Water and Wastewater Technology, Norwegian University of Life Science, Norway, who participated online and delivered a presentation titled \u201cWater Sector Digitalization: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

The fourth and final Plenary Session, \u201cLeveraging Digital Technology to Empower Water Utilities<\/strong>\u201d was moderated by Albert Salltakaj, <\/strong>Regional Water Company Southern Hydroregion, Prizren, Kosova and co-moderated by Elsa Belba, <\/strong>Young Water Professional, Albania. The panelists who joined the discussions were Petrit Tare<\/strong>, Director, Korca Regional Water and Sewerage Company, Albania; Valon Prebreza<\/strong>, Director, Monitoring Unit of Public Utilities, Ministry of Economy, Kosova; Arsim Fetahu<\/strong>, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company Prishtina, Kosova; G\u00e1bor Brandst\u00e4tter<\/strong>, Director of Development, Sustainability and Innovations, Budapest Waterworks, Hungary; and Veprim Jasharaj<\/strong>, Young Water Professional, Information System for Water Services, Kosova.<\/p>\n

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The fourth and final Plenary Session, \u201cLeveraging Digital Technology to Empower Water Utilities\u201d
Photo Credit: BJC&E<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The program continued with parallel technical sessions dedicated to \u201cInstitutional and Regulatory Aspects of the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector\u201d, \u201cWastewater and Sludge Management\u201d; <\/strong><\/em>and \u201cManagement of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies\u201d<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Technical Exhibition<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Conference participants had the opportunity to explore the Technical Exhibition, which officially opened on November 5th<\/sup> following the Welcome Reception and ran concurrently with the Technical Program on November 6th<\/sup> and 7th<\/sup>. The exhibition showcased 26 local and international companies from 12 countries, featuring everything from advanced engineering services to innovative tools and technologies such as pipes, pumps, meters, and software systems.<\/p>\n

SHUKALB and SHUKOS extend their heartfelt gratitude to the organizations and companies that contributed to the success of the 12th Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition. Special thanks go to Veolia<\/strong>, the Regional Capacity Development Network (RCDN),<\/strong> the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, IAWD <\/strong>and Emerald Hotel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We are pleased to share the presentations delivered during the two days of the conference, along with the event photos. Please click on the links below to view and download the materials:<\/p>\n