Speaking at the event, the Romanian Secretary of State, Corina Popescu, strongly encouraged a collaborative approach that could bring benefits to all SEE countries. The SEE region possesses significant renewable energy potential, the exploitation of which can bring improved energy security, new jobs, GDP growth and better public health while at the same time enabling compliance with EU legal requirements.  

Participants discussed the initial findings of IRENA’s regional gap analysis study, which identifies and analyses the obstacles hindering renewable energy development in the region. A panel session provided for the sharing of experience of development partners working in the region, with discussions on access to finance and addressing  barriers to investment, including risk mitigation.