Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac highlighted today the significance of using clean energy in winter tourist regions where reducing pollution is imperative.
Opening the International Forum “Hydrogen in Transport and Industry” on Jahorina, Košarac stated that holding this event confirms that Republika Srpska is a place for dialogue on contemporary issues.
“Jahorina was chosen as the venue for the forum for a reason, as we aim to promote the achievements of the Olympic Center management and the policies of the Government of Republika Srpska in strengthening Jahorina’s capacity as a leader in winter tourism,” said Košarac.
He noted the importance of preserving all that nature provides through appropriate policies.
Košarac pointed out that the forum and the first ecological ride in BiH, which preceded it, are excellent opportunities to promote work on defining green ecological policies, in compliance with all international agreements signed by BiH, such as the Green Agenda, the Sofia Declaration, and the Treaty on the Establishment of the Energy Community.
He emphasized that the aim is to make a clear contribution not only to the introduction of European standards, which are often conditioned by various political connotations, but also to the preservation of nature.
“We will not stop here, but based on the experiences expressed in this sector, we will define certain projects with local communities in Republika Srpska and the Federation of BiH, and relevant ministries. In addition to local community resources, we will prepare to apply for important international projects, primarily the Green Climate Fund and other funds available to us for the implementation of ecological policies,” Košarac said.
He noted the need to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises are competitive in the European and other markets, stressing that reforms are necessary for this.
“Through our participation in the Energy Community, we are making serious strides in applying all standards related to renewable energy sources. We are considering the transformation of certain plants that use fossil fuels. In the future, we want to strongly encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to transform to renewable energy sources,” said Košarac.
The Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers also announced the development of a study “Impact of Climate Change on Winter Tourism – BiH Practice,” for which experts have been engaged, and the results will be presented in July.
Radiša Nunić, manager of “Worthington Industries,” one of the forum organizers on Jahorina, thanked the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations in the Council of Ministers for their support, expressing hope that this forum and the first zero-emission bus ride will be a starting point for further development of technologies and their use in BiH, as well as hydrogen production.
The head of the Republika Srpska Representation in Austria, Mladen Filipović, expressed satisfaction that the first forum of this kind is being held in Srpska, highlighting the importance of the participation of high-ranking international experts.
“Contacts were enabled through the activities of the Republika Srpska Representation in Austria and the diaspora’s efforts, especially in the economic sense. This is one of the focuses of the Government of Republika Srpska and the Representation in Austria. Through cooperation with the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, our institutions, and entrepreneurs, we have managed to bring a significant conference to this region, held throughout Europe,” Filipović said.
He emphasized that, with the support of the institutions of Republika Srpska and BiH, an environment for the use of renewable energy sources and their production should be created.
The forum on Jahorina is part of the JIVE and JIVE 2 projects, which began in January 2017 and January 2018.
As part of this project, 310 zero-emission fuel cell buses will be deployed in 17 European cities and regions, the largest implementation in Europe to date.
The forum on Jahorina opened a dialogue for the first time about the cleanest propulsion energy and the exceptional effects of its application.
The importance of applying clean energy in winter tourist destination regions where reducing pollution is imperative was also emphasized.
As part of the forum, a trial ride on a hydrogen-powered bus from East Sarajevo to Jahorina was organized, with participation from Minister Košarac, Filipović, member of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Miroslav Vujčić, Trnovo Municipality Mayor Dragomir Gagović, and Serbian national judo champion Nemanja Majdov.
Source: RTRS
