The Balkans Joint Conference 2024, themed “Neighborly Cooperation: Promoting Peace through Transboundary Water Management”, gathered over 500 professionals in Pristina to discuss how shared water resources can strengthen peace in the region.
Organized by SHUKOS and SHUKALB, the conference featured pre-conference activities, including:
- The Stakeholders Meeting on Wastewater Management
- Launch of the Water Operators Partnerships in South-Eastern Europe (WOP SEE)
- Young Water Professionals forum
- Workshops on benchmarking and Dutch innovations in water management
During the opening ceremony, inspiring remarks were made by Mr. Jeton Shabani, President of SHUKOS, and Mr. Petrit Tare, President of SHUKALB, with contributions from Swiss Ambassador H.E. Jürg Sprecher, Dutch Ambassador H.E. Karin Boven, and Mr. Daniel Alker, Head of Germany’s Development Cooperation in the German Embassy in Kosovo. In his speech Mr. Alker praised the dedication of water utilities in Kosovo and Albania, highlighting the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration through SHUKALB and SHUKOS as platforms that bring together utilities and all relevant stakeholders.
Key sessions of the conference included:
- Building Bridges: The Role of Transboundary Water Management in Strengthening Regional Cooperation
- Adapting to a Changing Climate: Managing Water Scarcity, Droughts, and Floods in the Western Balkans
- Opportunities to Leapfrog in Urban Wastewater Treatment
Other discussions focused on sustainable water resource management, technical management of water supply systems, and sewerage management.
The conference concluded with optimism for continued collaboration, highlighting the need to integrate both technical expertise and diplomatic efforts to address the region’s water challenges, promoting a resilient and peaceful future for the Balkans.
