Once again, IENE organizes its major regional event, the 16th “South East Europe Energy Dialogue”, on Wednesday, June 17, in Sofia (Sofia Balkan Hotel), Bulgaria. Convened by the Institute of Energy for SE Europe, the “SEE Energy Dialogue” has been one of the region’s longest running events, first held in Thessaloniki in 2007, and from the very start, it has been established as an important event for SE Europe, spanning the entire energy spectrum and involving most countries in the region.
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 for promoting initiatives aimed at tackling the region's complex energy and environmental challenges. Moreover, the choice of Sofia for the organization of the “16th SE Europe Energy Dialogue” underscores Bulgaria’s joining the euro since the beginning of this year, thus becoming more embedded in the European Union, 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.
In view of latest developments in the broader region (i.e. the war in Ukraine and the hostilities in Iran, the Gulf area and the broader Middle East), energy security and the maintenance of oil and gas stocks, as well as diversification of supplies and new oil and gas pipeline routes, have emerged as a top priority. This is followed by energy system resilience and market integration. Parallel to those, other important issues to be discussed at the “Energy Dialogue” include the pursued policies in electricity and gas markets and digital and regional connectivity, especially in relation to decarbonization.
The improvement in energy efficiency in industry and buildings and the further use of renewable energy sources in conjunction with energy storage, are also considered as key topics in this intense one-day conference. 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.
The “16th SE Europe Energy Dialogue” is being organized with the support of the Tsomokos Group (organizers of the Delphi Economic Forum). High-level participation is expected from speakers and delegates from countries in SE Europe and also from international and regional organizations.
For more information on the 16th SEE Energy Dialogue, including the agenda, confirmed speakers and registration details, see here.
