Ambassador Ashot KOCHARIAN - Executive Manager in PERMIS is in charge of the Working Group on Energy
akocharian@bsec-organization.org Tel: +90 (212) 229 63 30-35 (Ext: 144)
The Republic of Azerbaijan is the Country-Coordinator of the Working Group on Energy from 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2025.
The key priorities for BSEC activity in the field of energy are defined by Goal 4 “Sustainable Energy and Development of the Black Sea Energy Market”, set by the BSEC Economic Agenda “Towards a sustainable future of the wider Black Sea area” adopted in 2023.
The main activities are carried out by the BSEC Working Group on Energy, established in 1994, in order to promote regional cooperation in the field of energy, which meets at its regular meetings at least once per year. Seven Meetings of the Ministers in charge of Energy were held that adopted Declarations and Statements serving as guidance for the activities in this domain.
Three projects in the field of energy were carried out and financed by the BSEC Project Development Fund. Another project was financed through a grant from the Black Sea Project Promotion Facility (BSPPF) and implemented by the UNECE.
The Working Group focuses on common approaches and projects. The aim is to develop a competitive regional energy market through supporting investments in energy infrastructure, with the view to increase energy security, interconnectivity and further diversify energy sources and routes. The Working Group also organizes joint programs among the energy authorities in BSEC Member States and engages in the exchange of experience and best practices.
A major area of action in this regard is the development of BSEC regional cooperation in Green Energy. A Task Force on Green Energy Development was set-up within the Working Group on Energy (active on 2012-2014) in order to promote interaction and launch the elaboration of a BSEC Green Energy Strategy, which was finalized and adopted by the Working Group in 2018. On 27 June 2018, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BSEC Member States held in Yerevan approved the BSEC Green Energy Strategy. In the Resolution adopted on that occasion, the Council invited the Member States to take into account this BSEC document that offers strategic options which they may take, as appropriate, in the elaboration and adoption of their Green Energy policies and in strengthening regional cooperation in the field of Green Energy.
The BSEC Green Energy Network was established and started to function in 2015. The Network develops cooperation between centers and national administrative bodies and/or organizations mandated to promote renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures and policies, in order to facilitate the exchange of information and to share know-how and good practices in the field of green energy among the Member States. Development and promotion of Green Energy projects of interest for the BSEC Member States is one of the priority areas of action of the Network. The Network remains open to participation of other interested parties. It is operated by the Energy Policy and Development Centre of Athens University (KEPA) under the supervision of BSEC PERMIS.
In November 2018 KEPA was selected as the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) hub for Sustainable Development Goal 7 – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, for the period 2018-2021. The banner relevant to the activities of KEPA as Hub for SDG7 can found at: UNAI HUB SDG7 Society_English_version
KEPA in its dual capacity as Coordinator of the Green Energy Network (BSEC - GEN) and as the UNAI Hub SDG7 came up with the initiative "75 UN – 75 trees UNAI SDG 7" to mark the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations in 2020 by planting 75 trees in various areas of the territory of the respective Member State and participated in the celebration of the World Environment Day marked on 5 June 2020 with the mentioned initiative in line with the appeal of the UN Secretary General to tackle the negative impacts of Climate Change with specific actions.
Regular organization of the BSEC Green Energy Investment Forum emerged from consultation between BSEC PERMIS and KEPA as an important tool which could give a new impetus to the development of the use of Green Energy in the BSEC Region.
For further information kindly contact the Executive Manager in charge.