EBRD Business Forum
15 May 2010
2010 EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum: Zagreb, Croatia, May 14-15
Iryna Shcherbyna, Director General of IBSER, which is implementing the Municipal Finance Strengthening Initiative Project with support from USAID, took part in the 2010 Business Forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the Building Sustainable Growth theme, which was held on the occasion of the Nineteenth Annual Meeting of the EBRD Board of Governors in Croatia, Zagreb, on 14-15 May 2010.
More than 2,000 participants from all over the world visited Croatia’s capital city for this event, which gave them an opportunity to assess the latest political, economic and social changes in the world over the last year, look into business opportunities in the country and across the Bank’s region of operations, as well as a chance to network and to enjoy the host country’s cultural heritage.
The theme of this year’s Business Forum was Building Sustainable Growth. Discussion panels focused on the pace and depth of recovery from the worst financial crisis in generations.
The 2010 Annual Meeting also celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Bank’s Civil Society Program and held a number of special discussion panels, open to NGO leaders and all participants of the Annual Meeting, where Iryna Shcherbyna was invited to take part as a representative of the sector of civil society organizations.
In particular, Ms. Shcherbyna joined the discussions in the panels comprises of the representatives of NGOs, think tanks, academia, and research groups devoted to discussions on the role of civil society in the European accession process of the Western Balkan countries, gender issues in the transition region and updates on EBRD policies and investment projects.
Especially topical and important, in the context of Budget Institute's implementing the tasks of the Municipal Finance Strengthening Initiative Project, in particular with regard to providing assistance to Ukrainian cities in implementation of infrastructural projects in the area of energy saving, was her participation in the panel discussing the issues of environmental protection and efficient use of energy, as well as familiarizing with the experience and prospects for implementation of joint energy saving projects in Eastern European countries, and specifically, in Ukraine.
The main focus in discussions on May 14 was made on the issues of optimal use of the process of EU accession as the basis for creation of institutions and drafting of legislation, which would contribute to ensuring a healthy environment and introduce the standards of transparency, social responsibility, and good corporate governance.
The second day of sessions on May 15, chaired by Cecile Divino, EBRD Advisor on Gender Equality, was devoted to discussing the issue of gender equality in the transitional countries. The debates focused on how the ways of participation in the labor market, division of labor, and changes in women's attitudes to employment effect the gender equality in a certain region.
Several events were devoted to the issues of energy efficiency and sustainable development, in the light of Bank’s outstanding and leading role in this area. A high-level panel with representative from the energy supply and consumption chains was exploring the topical yet complex subject of energy security. At the same time, another panel was discussing the impact of investment in energy efficiency and renewables on the economies of the region, as well as the potential role of carbon markets in the region.
In addition, the Civil Society Program provided an opportunity for the participants representing the civil society sector to meet and establish contacts with EBRD staff, senior managers, Bank’s President and Governors, as well as share opinions on the results of EBRD activities.
A more detailed information is available on the EBRD website.
The report has been prepared based on the materials of the website of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: http://www.ebrd.com/new/am/index.htm.
Glyanec