Monday, October 24, 2011

TIRANA, 4 October 2011 - It was held at the premises of the German Embassy in Tirana the forum "Public Dialogue on Sustainable Use of Energy in Albania". In this event organized by the Academy of Political Studies (ASP) and GIZ Albania, in cooperation with KfW and “Goethe Institute”, took part members of the Parliament (Mr. Jemin Gjana, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, Mr. Sherefedin Shehu, Mr. Besnik Baraj, Mr. Selami Xhepa), deputy mayor of Tirana, Mr. Edmond Panariti, experts from state institutions like METE, AKBN and other institutions, civil society, independent experts involved in energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy sources (RES) issues, associations of professionals (architects and engineers), journalists from several TV’s and Newspapers, banking sector, academic institutions.

The participants were welcomed by German vice-ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Erik Tintrup, who explained the importance gives by his country to energy efficiency as well as the various programs implemented in Albania in connection with this topic. The event was organized in occasion the "German October", which this year deals under the topic "Climate - Energy - Change".

In the form of a round table, policymakers, experts and representatives of civil society and business, openly discussed the topic of sustainable energy use and the problems of implementing current legislation. The proposals of the association of architects and business representatives were recorded by the capital's deputy mayor, Mr. Panariti as valuable to the institution he leads. He expressed his intention to implement some of these proposals, which aimed at stimulating the energy efficiency or European best practices in new construction.

MP’s Sherefedin Shehu, Besnik Baraj and Mimi Kodheli, praised the open dialogue and pledged a further incentive to debate with stakeholders before approval of the new draft "Energy Efficiency in Albania".

This is the first activity involved in this national initiative of the Academy of Political Studies and GIZ Albania, while it is expected that this dialogue take place further in the second national forum in November, as well as in regional conference, which will be held in Belgrade in 17-19 October 2011.

In accordance with European Directives and guidance package for energy and environmental protection, Albania has set ambitious targets, increasing energy efficiency by 9% by 2018. Albania wants to achieve in this way as soon as possible target 20-20-20.