16th South East Europe Energy Dialogue

Announcement

16th South East Europe Energy Dialogue

Sofia Balkan Hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria

Wednesday, 17 June, 2026

This year’s South East Europe Energy Dialogue, IENE’ major regional event, will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Convened by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe (see www.iene.eu)  this is one of the region’s longest running events first held in Thessaloniki in 2007. The choise of Sofia for this year’s regional, energy gathering is not accidental since Bulgaria is becoming more embedded in the European Union having joined the euro at the start of the year while its energy market, which is increasingly playing central role in the greater Balkan area, is at the forefront of EU’s efforts to forge energy market integration.

To see recent past “Energy Dialogue” events go here and here.

From the very start the “SEE Energy Dialogue” has been established by IENE as an important regional event spanning the entire energy spectrum and involving most countries in the region. The purpose of this regional forum, which is being organized with the support of leading and regional organizations and major energy companies, is to bring together high-ranking government officials, senior business executives, energy experts, researchers and academics from all countries of S.E. Europe and beyond. The objective being the free exchange of information and ideas, networking and the advancement of cooperation between all countries in SE Europe.

The “SEE Energy Dialogue” has been conceived as an open forum for furthering the idea of a SE European energy bridge between East and West and North of South, and for promoting initiatives aimed at tackling the region's complex energy and environmental challenges.

In this context and in view of latest developments in the broader energy region ( i.e the war in Ukraine and the hostilities in Iran and the Gulf area) energy security has emerged as a top priority followed by market integration and the need for energy system resilience. Parallel to that other key issues directly related to pursued policies on electricity markets, digital and regional connectivity in relation to decarbonisation efforts, the improvement in energy efficiency in industry and buildings and the further use of renewable energy sources will be discussed as outlined in the agenda of this year’s Energy Dialogue. In addition, the implications of introducing carbon markets in the West Balkans and the problems related to the application of EU’s CBAM regulation will be hotly debated.

Already more than 30 speakers and panelists from all different countries in the region, including Bulgaria, Greece, Türkiye, Romania, Serbia, N. Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro etc., have expressed their interest to participate in what promises to be a highly stimulating policy oriented event. Furthermore, high level participation is anticipated from major regional and international organisations including the EU, the IEA and the Energy Community. As preparations for the Energy Dialogue advance the names of speakers and programme details will be announced.

The 16th SE Europe Energy Dialogue will be held at Sofia Balkan Hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria. This is a one day event which will start in the morning of Wednesday, 17 June, 2026 and will be completed by early evening. The detailed event programme is under preparation and will be announced shortly. The “Energy Dialogue” is being supported by major energy, legal and finance companies.