The European Commission, the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development of Slovenia and the Municipality of Velenje warmly invite you to the EU Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition’s 5th Annual Political Dialogue on 11-12 July 2024, in ICLEI Member Velenje (Slovenia). ICLEI Europe is proud to be part of the consortium that runs the Secretariat of the Initiative. Register here!
This two-day event will gather stakeholders from all EU coal, peat, lignite and oil shale regions – the coal+ regions – to exchange ideas and best practices, and discuss shared opportunities and challenges along the clean energy transition path. The programme will include two days of high-level, strategic discussions on what EU coal+ regions are grappling with on their journey to climate neutrality, and how the energy transition can progress in a just and inclusive manner.
A number of high-level speakers will be in attendance, including:
- Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight
- Aleksander Jevšek, Minister of Cohesion and Regional Development of Slovenia
- Peter Dermol, Mayor of Velenje
The first day begins with a discussion on the industrial and green transition witnessed in EU coal+ regions, followed by the launch of a special visual exhibition on brownfields, industrial infrastructure and coal mines that have been repurposed into business districts, energy sites and places of cultural significance. A dedicated session will focus on tackling energy poverty in coal regions and empowering citizens for an energy transition, and the afternoon will continue with site visits to illustrate the developments that have unfolded in this transition territory. Day 2 resumes with sessions on the transition of district heating systems in coal+ regions, and on social and inclusive transitions of coal+ regions through Just Transition Observatories.
The deadline to register for in-person attendance is 24 June 2024, COB.
The deadline to register for virtual attendance is 10 July 2024. The event will be hybrid, with sessions live-streamed on DG ENER’s YouTube channel.
Participation is subject to approval. Once your registration has been approved, you will receive a confirmation email. Registration is free of charge; unfortunately, the Initiative is unable to provide financial support to cover travel and accommodation costs.
We look forward to welcoming you in Velenje, or seeing you online!