Sarajevo Innovation Summit 2022

The focus point of this year's Sarajevo Innovation Summit was one of today's most salient topics – energy and climate crisis. The Summit focused on concrete proposals for overcoming both of these challenges through investments in renewables, reduction of energy consumption, and a diversification of energy supply and procurement to secure energy independence and safety.

The event was opened by the Dean of Faculty of Economics UNSA, dr. Jasmina Selimović, and USAID's Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Directress, Courtney Chubb. The attendees also had the opportunity to hear addresses from the Mayoress of Sarajevo, dr. Benjamina Karić, Director of FES SOE, dr. Ralf Melzer, as well as prof. Dr. Amila Pilav Velić, the founder of Sarajevo Innovation Summit. The keynote address was given by dr. Steven S. Burns, Director of Energetics and Infrastructure in USAID Office for Europe and Eurasia, Andrej Gajić, National Geographic scientist and honorable Ambassador of the Mediterranean Sea, and Snježana Kopruner, Directress of GS-TMT d.o.o. in Travnik, Bosnia, and Herzegovina.

This year's Summit was hosted to mark the 70th anniversary of the Faculty of Economics University of Sarajevo's founding to contribute to sustainable development, not only of the economy but society as a whole. For the implementation of efficient climate and energy policies, its vital to continue building strong partnerships across sectors, boundaries, and levels. The key is to focus on realistic and just solutions that will help overcome the challenges of today.

FES SOE believes it is essential to search for new opportunities, partnerships, and engagements to advance our goals of achieving inclusive energy transition in Southeast Europe. We are delighted to have participated in a new format that is the Sarajevo Innovation Summit. We will continue working with different and, as the name suggests, innovative stakeholders across the region.