ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

At a time when energy efficiency (EE) is becoming imperative on a global level, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina recognized its key role in supporting the sustainable economic development of our country, especially in the context of the integration of BiH into the European Union. Through the successfully implemented project of the World Bank for Energy Efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BEEP), which has been implemented in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2016, the advantages of improving EE in public buildings and supporting the development of scalable EE financing models are indicated.

Energy-inefficient buildings have great potential for energy savings, and through the "energy efficiency first" principle, the European Union confirms that EE is Europe's most important source of energy.

Presenting the draft document "Building Renovation Strategy in FBiH until 2050", the Ministry of Spatial Planning of FBiH presents a vision of a highly energy-efficient, decarbonized and sustainable building sector, with the primary function of protecting the health and improving the quality of life of all citizens, and their economic prosperity, aligned with the Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate of Bosnia and Herzegovina until 2030.

Energy-efficient renovation of buildings in FBiH is an opportunity for comprehensive works in the field of sustainable construction with the application of new materials and smart technologies and renewable energy sources, which would contribute to economic development and the creation of new jobs.

With the aim of starting a new cycle of capital investments in the construction sector, the conference will highlight the importance of establishing sustainable financing mechanisms as key to achieving carbon-neutral buildings in FBiH and mobilizing private capital. Additionally, it will be pointed out the need to build capacity for the successful implementation of the Strategy and address remaining barriers, such as training and attracting more skilled workers, establishing a one-stop-shop for home-owners, small and medium-sized enterprises and all other participants in the renovation value chain, in order to provide maximum support and guidance.

The conference will bring together all key actors in the field of energy efficiency in BiH, including the public sector, policy makers, the scientific-academic community, international organizations, financial institutions, consultants, designers and representatives of construction companies, with the aim of promoting the development benefits of the Strategy. The conclusions of the conference will contribute to the creation of prerequisites for the successful implementation of the Strategy and the fulfillment of the obligations assumed from the Treaty on the Energy Community and the progress of BiH on the way to the EU.

The commitment of the Ministry of Spatial Planning of FBiH to decarbonize the building sector through improving the energy efficiency of public buildings is confirmed by years of cooperation with financial institutions and organizations such as the World Bank, KfW, UNDP and GIZ, with the support of which numerous energy efficiency projects have been implemented in BiH.

The results achieved through the projects of the World Bank for EE in BiH (BEEP and Additional Financing for BEEP) are the best example of good cooperation between the ministry, the project team and the financiers, because through an investment of 50.5 million KM, 91 public buildings have been renovated so far (total area of more than 291,000 m2), and the comfort of stay for more than 564.000 users was improved. By implementing the activities within the BEEP project, CO2 emissions are expected to decrease by almost 13,200 tons per year, while annual energy savings amount to 36.8 million kWh.

AGENDA

09:30 - 10:00	REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE
10:00 – 11:00	Opening and welcome remarks Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Nedić, Minister, Ministry of Spatial Planning of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Admir Softić, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Vedran Lakić, Minister, Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry Adebayo Babajide, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to BiH Karl Wurster, Economic Development Office Director, USAID BiH Josip Polić on behalf of Manuela Naessl, Associate Director/Senior Banker, EBRD Jasmina Salihagić, Director of BiH office of the KfW Development Bank Yuichiro Omori, Head of the department for economic affairs and development assistance , Embassy of Japan Siniša Ubiparipović, Project manager LowCarbon, UNDP Esma Kreso, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank Country Office in BiH
11:00 – 11:10	Results of project activities implemented through the Project Implementation Unit within the Federal Ministry of Spatial Planning in cooperation with respectable donors and financiers (WB, KfW, GCF) Video presentation
11:10 – 11:30	Building Renovation Strategy (BRS) of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by 2050 Jasmina Katica, Head of Energy Efficiency Department, Ministry of Spatial Planning of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Džana Kadrić, Professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Sarajevo (on behalf of CETEOR)
11:30 – 11:45	Energy Efficient Buildings a rising giant for the Energy Transition (Sustainable implementation of EEB) Ralf Kynast, Principal Engineer Energy KfW Development Bank
11:45 – 12:00	Coffee/snack break Media Statements
12:00 – 13:00	Panel 1 Sustainable financing as a key factor in achieving carbon neutral buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina Innovative financing schemes for sustainable energy investments Examples of best practice in EU and the region
13:00 – 13:55	Panel 2 Institutional capacities for realization of energy efficiency projects in BiH The justification of the Energy Efficiency Agency (EEA) in FBiH (establishment, jurisdictions and obligations according the Law on EE in FBiH) Experiences of the EU and countries in the region
13:55	Closing remarks
14:00	Lunch
15:00 – 16:30	Technical workshop for energy auditors (closed type) Amendments to the Regulation on the Conduct of Energy Audits and the Issuance of Energy Certificates and the Rulebook on Minimum Requirements for energy characteristics of the buildings