Annex 3 to BS/WG/EN/R(2021)1

 

PLAN OF ACTION

OF THE BSEC WORKING GROUP ON ENERGY

(adopted at the Meeting of the Working Group on 2 December 2021)

1st of July 2021 – 30th of June 2023

Country-Coordinator: The Republic of Armenia

I. GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

The present Plan of Action of the BSEC Working Group on Energy (hereinafter – WGE) defines main goals, objectives and measures for the closer cooperation in the field of Energy among the BSEC Member States for the period of July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2023.

In its activities the Working Group will be guided by the BSEC Charter, Summit Declaration on the Black Sea Economic Cooperation of 25 June 1992, the “BSEC Economic Agenda: Towards an Enhanced BSEC Partnership” (Economic Agenda 2012), relevant Resolutions, Decisions and Recommendations adopted by the BSEC Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Declarations and Statements of the Ministers in charge for Energy of the BSEC Member States, BSEC Green Energy Strategy and the Terms of Reference of the Working Group.

As the one of the BSEC priority tasks is to ensure sustainable energy development in the Black Sea region, main efforts of the WGE are expected to be focused on furthering a closer cooperation in the field of Energy between the respective Ministries of the BSEC Member States.

Proper attention will be paid to the Goal 4 (Sustainable Energy and Development of the Black Sea Energy Market) of the BSEC Economic Agenda 2012 and the provisions of the Green Energy Strategy adopted in 2018 considering new trends and transformation in energy sector and sustainable development goals.

The Plan of Action of the WGE will be focused on the following priority areas:

  1. Sustainable energy development
  • Encouraging cooperation among the Member States to implement provisions of the BSEC Green Energy Strategy with the view to promoting renewable energy sources, clean technologies and energy efficiency.
  • Enhancing cooperation among the BSEC Member States and with other relevant stakeholders in the Green Energy sector, including through the elaboration of common approaches and projects and developing public-private partnership, where possible.
  • Achieving efficiency in the use of energy resources through closer cooperation and coordination between energy producers and consumers of the BSEC region and through cooperation and exchange of experience among state institutions in charge of energy efficiency.
  • Supporting activities among BSEC Member States to boost clean and innovative energy technologies in order to reduce negative environmental effects of non-sustainable fossil fuel technologies.
  • Furthering cooperation with relevant international financial institutions in the field of funding renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable fossil fuel energy and environment protection projects.
  • Helping to enhance the contributions of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency improvements among the BSEC Member States in order to materialize the vision of transforming the BSEC Region into a model for clean energy by the year 2050.
  1. Improvement of regional energy connectivity and infrastructure
  • Enhancing cooperation among the Member States for development of the energy connectivity and infrastructure in the wider Black Sea region, which plays an important role for the energy security of countries of the region and beyond both in terms of sustainable and uninterrupted transit and supplies and access to new and alternative sources and supplies for regional and international markets.
  • Supporting projects and investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the BSEC region, with the view to increase energy security, interconnectivity, energy transportation and develop new infrastructures and transportation routes and further diversify energy sources.
  • Further promoting the development of the projects on interconnection of electric power systems of the BSEC Member States.
  • Enhance further cooperation with relevant international organizations and institutions in order to develop practical and project-oriented cooperation in the areas of sustainable energy interconnectivity, security and infrastructure development.
  1. Information exchange on national legislations and reforms in the sector
  • Promoting exchange of information on national legislations in energy sector and energy market reforms in BSEC Member States and encouraging dialogue among state agencies and energy companies of the BSEC Member to improve energy legislation considering best practices and relevant experience of other international organizations and forums.
  • Engaging in exchange of experience and best practices, including through the organization of joint training programs among the authorities in BSEC Member States in charge of Green Energy.
  • Encouraging discussions on elaboration and adoption of Green Energy policies by BSEC Member States, as appropriate, based on the relevant provisions of the Green Energy Strategy.

 II. MEETINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP

  • 1st WG Meeting / online (December 2,  2021),
  • 2nd WG Meeting (October, 2022, tbc),
  • 3rd WG Meeting (May, 2023, tbc). 

III. MINISTERIAL/HIGH LEVEL MEETINGS

  • High-Level Meeting on Energy of the BSEC Member States (November-December 2022, tbc).

IV. RELEVANT EVENTS

  • “BSEC Green Energy” webinar (first semester of 2022, online, tbd). 

V.  COOPERATION WITH OTHER BSEC BODIES/NETWORKS

  • Extending collaboration with the BSEC Working Groups on Environmental Protection and on Information and Communication Technologies.
  • Fostering cooperation with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) and International Center for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS).
  • Furthering cooperation within BSEC Green Energy Network (BSEC-GEN).

VI. COOPERATION WITH BSEC OBSERVERS AND PARTNERS

  • Develop a project-oriented cooperation with international organizations and specialized agencies in the field of energy, especially with the UN bodies such as UNDP and UNECE, World Bank, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Energy Charter Conference.
  • Increase collaboration with the Energy Policy and Development Centre of Athens University (KEPA) - coordinator of the BSEC-GEN.
  • Build a closer interaction with EU on “Green Energy”.
  • Explore new avenues of cooperation with other observers and partners in the energy sector.

VII. RESPONSIBLE INSTITUTION

Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia

Contact person: Mrs. Viktorya Keshishyan, Head of Renewable Energy Division

Tel: +37410515116

+37493267331

E-mail: vkeshishyan@minenergy.am

viktoryakeshishyan@gmail.com