EVENTS
In the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Banja Luka, the conference Climate transition and changes in the global model was held, with the main topic - the question "Is your company ready to avoid the Nokia moment?".
The Minister of Energy and Mining of the Republic of Srpska, Petar Đokić, as well as the Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and Ecology of the Republic of Srpska, Bojan Vipotnik, addressed those present. The conference was also attended by the president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republika Srpska, Pero Ćorić, representatives of the Green Navigator of the Western Balkans, and numerous businessmen and representatives of financial institutions.
Goran Janjić, an expert on climate policy and sustainability, explained in his presentation how regulations such as CSRD and CBAM shape business and opportunities for companies that are part of the EU supply chain, i.e. how companies can align their operations with climate regulations to maintain a competitive advantage, avoid possible sanctions and continue successful operations in accordance with the stricter climate and sustainability standards set by the EU.
Panel discussions How to avoid the "Nokia moment" - Risks and business consequences for companies exporting to the EU and The process of decarbonization and green transition in the function of economic development brought together representatives of institutions, businesses and experts in this field to help companies understand and proactively adapt global changes, avoid business risks of non-compliance with regulations and take advantage of new business opportunities brought by the climate transition.
Green Navigator of the Western Balkans was present at the International Trade Fair "BANJA LUKA EXPO 2024," which represents a modern international exhibition in the fields of construction, metal and electrical industries, wood industry, technology, IT sector - electronics and robotics, real estate, architecture and design, as well as banking, microcredit organizations and insurance companies.
Simultaneously, alongside the rich exhibition program, the most current economic topics were addressed through scientific conferences, round tables, education sessions, and presentations, with a special focus on enhancing knowledge and showcasing examples of good practices.
Organized by the Western Balkans Green Navigator, Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Development Fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina
Event Highlights
The Green Navigator of the Western Balkans and the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Entrepreneurs in Belgrade have signed a Protocol of Cooperation, with the aim of enhancing collaboration and coordination between these two organizations in confronting the global climate crisis. The Protocol, signed on June 29, 2023, in Belgrade, establishes a strategic partnership to promote systemic solutions and strengthen administrative capacities in the field of climate policy.
During the meeting for the signing of the Protocol of Cooperation, the President of the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Entrepreneurs in Belgrade, Annino De Venezia, and the Executive Director of the Green Navigator of the Western Balkans, Jelena Trenkić, emphasized the significance of this collaboration in promoting concrete actions to address climate change.
Through this partnership, the organizations will engage in promoting a favorable business environment for tackling climate challenges, actively managing climate risks, and exchanging and disseminating knowledge. The Green Navigator of the Western Balkans and the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Entrepreneurs in Belgrade commit to working together to confront the global climate crisis, thereby contributing to the social and economic development of their regions.
The Jahorina Economic Forum is dedicated to topics related to modern agriculture, entrepreneurship, the green agenda, educational systems, new migrations and their impact on the labor market, inflation trends, sports, as well as new technologies and growing creative industries.
Mr. Goran Savić, representing the "Green Navigator of the Western Balkans" Association, participated in a panel discussion titled "Green Transition and New Technologies as Part of the Climate Neutrality Strategy."
The first Sustainable Investment Forum in the Western Balkans was held at the National Bank of Serbia, with the central theme being "Response to the corporate sector challenges in turbulent times".
The President of the Provincial Government, Igor Mirović, addressed the audience at the First Sustainable Investment Forum in the Western Balkans and on that occasion emphasized that this forum is a extension of a series of related initiatives that, following European regulatory and economic trends, have been supported by the Provincial Government in recent years. "In addition to supporting the Development Fund of Vojvodina to start the accreditation process with the Green Climate Fund, the support for the establishment of the 'Green Navigator of the Western Balkans', as a regional platform for the sustainability of the private and public sector, is also significant," Mirović said, adding that the Provincial Government will continue to be a reliable partner in this area, positioning Vojvodina as the leader. The president highlighted that in developed countries, corporations and investors are increasingly investing in renewable and clean energy sources, which represent the future, but also a chance for economic growth, especially when viewed in the context of the inevitable depletion of fossil fuel reserves.
Jorgovanka Tabaković, the Governor of the National Bank of Serbia, also addressed the audience. She emphasized the significance of today's First Sustainable Investment Forum in the Western Balkans, initiated by the Provincial Government, with the central theme "Responding to Corporate Sector Challenges in Turbulent Times," and stated that the National Bank of Serbia will support this initiative.
Goran Janjić, the director of the "Green Navigator of the Western Balkans" association, assessed that the world is currently undergoing its most significant transformation in the last 70 years, which brings both risks and potential for the region. He added that the Green Navigator, through partnerships with leading international organizations and experts, can assist businesses in leveraging available resources and transforming themselves in accordance with the current regulations.
During the conference, several notable speakers addressed the audience, including Marija Obradović, the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Zlatan Klokić, the Minister for European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Radivoje Krčmar, the Director of the Guarantee Fund of the Republic of Srpska, one of the founders of the Green Navigator association, and Trajan Angelovski, the President of the Union of Chambers of Commerce of North Macedonia.
The business association "Green Navigator of the Western Balkans," founded by the Development Fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the Guarantee Fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, and the Guarantee Fund of the Republic of Srpska, was presented in the Provincial Government. This initiative, led by President Igor Mirović, aims to actively participate in reducing the negative impacts of climate change.
The President of the Provincial Government, Igor Mirović, stated that climate change is one of the greatest problems our planet has been facing for many years. He expressed his expectation that this initiative would receive support from the business community, entrepreneurs, and international financial institutions.
Goran Janjić, the director of the "Green Navigator of the Western Balkans," emphasized that decarbonization of the global economy is crucial in the decade ahead. He highlighted that the platform's goal, besides active participation in reducing the negative impacts of climate change, is to provide technical and financial support for the transformation of the regional economy and to guide the public and private sectors toward a climate economy.
The event was attended by the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Marija Obradović, and the Minister for European Integration and International Cooperation of the Republic of Srpska, Zlatan Klokić.
The President of the Provincial Government, Igor Mirović, opened the Conference on Sustainable Development, whose goal is to manage corporate strategies for climate change. He emphasized that climate change has become one of the greatest challenges of the modern world.
"Defining effective responses to climate change is of great importance for the future," President Mirović stated.
According to Mirović, the Development Fund of Vojvodina, the organizer of this conference, initiated the accreditation process with the Green Climate Fund, operating under the United Nations Framework Convention. This is the most significant global mechanism for financing climate actions
"The Provincial Government and the Development Fund of Vojvodina have worked on this initiative together. This is extremely important news because it opens up possibilities to secure a portion of non-refundable funds through projects and direct them into sustainable development investments," President Mirović stated.
Mirović reminded that the Republic of Serbia, as a signatory to the 2015 Paris Agreement, is implementing global guidelines for defining responses to the challenges of climate change, especially for the production of energy from renewable sources, primarily wind and solar.
"The Republic of Serbia provided its own institutional framework for defining the response to the challenges of global warming in March of this year, by adopting the Law on Climate Change." This confirms our commitment to further economic development and growth based on reducing greenhouse gas emissions," Mirović said, adding that the plan is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in our country by almost ten percent by 2030 compared to the 1990 baseline.
State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management, Senad Mahmutović, emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Green Climate Fund, citing an estimate that material damages caused by natural disasters in the last 20 years exceeded seven billion euros.
Nikola Bartolini from the EU Delegation in Serbia stated that climate change brings numerous challenges on which we must all work together - governments, the public sector, industry, organizations, and civil society.
Deputy Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, Javier Manzanares, addressed the conference with a video message, emphasizing the significant role of regional cooperation in the process of green economic recovery.
