Mr. Mitsuaki Harada, Managing Director of Beo Čista Energija participated at the Kopaonik Business Forum (KBF), which took place March 6 – 9, was hosted by the Serbian Association of Economists. The business forum with the main theme Serbia 2030: the Sustainable Development Agenda gathered together the most prominent representatives of the region from various industries. The main topics of the KBF were potentials for regional sustainable growth, and the dialogue that took place in 33 panels contributed to better understanding of decision makers, the accelerators of green development.
Mr. Harada took part in the panel Prioritizing Environment At The Highest Level together with the following participants: Dragana Djordjević, professor at the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Boris Erg, Director of the Regional IUCN Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO), Aleksandar Jovović, professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Belgrade and Roland Kokai, General director of Vojvodinašume. In the role of panel moderator was Milorad Bjeletić, executive director of Belgrade Open School.
Mr. Harada explained and discussed at the panel that this PPP project including Energy from Waste (EfW) facility is addressing one of most serious environmental issues in the country originated from the waste over several decades in the partnership of Serbian-Japanese-French cooperation. The EfW facility is one of the best solutions in the context of waste management strategy to reduce 90% of waste volume which are emitting methane gas, 25 times potent Greenhouse Gas, turning the waste into clean energy as substitute of fossil fuel. Thanks to the project, Construction and Demolition Waste and metal Waste are recycled properly. Polluted water is cleaned before flowing down to the Danube River. Old dump site will turn to be greenery area.
Beo Čista Energija, with waste treatment and disposal is in compliance with EU standard as well as Serbian standard. EfW facility has been designed and is being built in compliance with the Best Available Techniques (BAT). This means that it has been equipped with the latest combustion and pollution abatement technology to meet the strict environmental standards of the EU.
Mr. Harada also confirmed as Managing Director from major shareholders of Beo Čista Energija, Itochu Corporation, a leading Japanese trading and investment conglomerate how important Private Business Player needs to respond SDGs activities including addressing environmental issue at highest level to achieve growth, showing the fact that ITOCHU Corporation have outlined enhancing its contribution to and engagement with SDGs through business activities under the its mid-term management plan as an evidence.
The adoption of the Green Agenda is an important step towards the development of society while preserving nature and limited resources. The environment has become a priority in Serbia and it is necessary to define the path of development through the adoption of a plan in this area, the panelists concluded.
