Program
2026 BALKANS JOINT CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
SHUKOS and SHUKALB are pleased to invite you to join and participate in the Program of the 14th Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition which will be held on 3–5 November, 2026, in Prishtina, Kosova, at the Emerald Hotel.
The theme of the Conference, “Water and Equal Opportunities,” highlights the importance of building a water sector that is not only technically strong, but also fair, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of society. Inspired by the World Water Day 2026 theme, Water and Gender, this year’s Conference takes a broader perspective, addressing both equitable access to water and sanitation services and equal opportunities within the water sector itself.
The Conference Program allows for a broad range of topic areas covering from policy to technical, as well as management issues of the water sector. The conference provides a platform for discussion, where all participants can share their knowledge and experience in dealing with water sector issues.
Day 1
03 Nov 2026
14:00-17:30
PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES
D-LeaP Benchmarking Program Workshop – Kosovo and Albania HUB (14:00-17:30, Vivaldi Room) Young Water Professionals Forum (14:30-17:00, Beethoven Room) Technology Transfer Workshop (16:00-17:30, Verdi Room)
14:00-17:30
Vivaldi Room
D-LeaP Benchmarking Program Workshop – Kosovo and Albania HUB
Closed activity, by invitation only The workshop will bring together coordinators from water supply and sewerage companies participating in the Utility Benchmarking Programme (UBP) – Albanian-speaking Hub for Kosovo and Albania – to finalize the comparative performance reports of the participating companies. The workshop aims to strengthen the coordinators’ capacities to effectively use the UBP platform, particularly in managing and analyzing performance indicators in accordance with international standards, as well as generating specific analyses and dynamic and comparative reports. Furthermore,... Read More
14:30-17:00
Beethoven Room
Young Water Professionals Forum
Open activity The Young Water Professionals Forum is designed to encourage discussions on the development and professional growth of the new generation working in the sector, as well as those looking to build their careers in water supply and sewerage services. Additionally, it aims to enhance networking opportunities with professionals from the region and beyond.
15:00-17:00
16:00-17:30
Verdi Room
Technology Transfer Workshop
Open activity The workshop will bring together companies participating in the Conference Exhibition to present their innovative solutions, technologies, and services. It will provide a platform for practical exchange between technology providers and water supply and sewerage companies, encouraging collaboration and partnerships for more efficient and sustainable water management.
18:00 - 18:45
CONFERENCE OPENING CEREMONY
Moderator: Erdonita Humolli, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosova 18:00-18:15 – Official Welcome 18:15-18:40 – Greeting Remarks 18:40-19:00 – Recognition and Awards Ceremony 19:00 – Official Opening of the Exhibition & Cocktail Reception
Erdonita Humolli
18:00-18:15
Official Welcome
Arsim Fetahu, Chairman of the Board, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosova | Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova Petrit Tare, President, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania | Administrator, Korçë Regional Water and Sewerage Company, Albania
Arsim Fetahu
Petrit Tare
Greeting Remarks
H.E. Artane Rizvanolli, Minister of Economy, Republic of Kosova H.E. Fitore Pacolli Dalipi, Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Republic of Kosovo H.E. Anne-Lise Cattin Hennin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to the Republic of Kosovo H.E. Rainer Rudolph, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to the Republic of Kosovo Maria Angelica Sotomayor, Water Practice Manager for the Europe and Central Asia Region, World Bank, Austria
H.E. Artane Rizvanolli
18:40-19:00
Recognition and Awards Ceremony
Board of Directors Award | Lifetime Service Award
Day 2
04 Nov 2026
08:00-09:00
09:00-09:10
09:10-09:20
Greeting Remarks
Getoar Mjeku, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Economy, Kosova Klevis Jahaj, Member of Parliament, Albania
H.E. Getoar Mjeku
Klevis Jahaj
09:20-09:40
Keynote Address: “Rethinking Water for a More Inclusive Future: Opportunities for the Balkans”
Kala Vairavamoorthy, Executive Director, International Water Association (IWA)
Prof. Kala Vairavamoorthy
Plenary Session 1: Water for All: Turning Equal Opportunity into Reliable and Affordable Services
Moderator: Fjolla Lasku, Manager of the WWTP Project Implementation Unit, Regional Water Supply Company “Prishtina”, Kosova Co-Moderator: Donika Osmani, Young Water Professional, Kosova Panelists: Adem Ahmetaj, Senior Corporate Policy Analyst, Public Enterprise Policy and Monitoring Unit, Ministry of Economy, Kosova Fludian Çuka, General Director, National Water Supply and Sewerage Agency, Albania Abedin Azizi, Deputy Director, Water Services Regulatory Authority, Kosova Petrit Tare, Administrator, Korça Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Jeton Shabani, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company “Bifurkacioni”,... Read More
Fjolla Lasku
Donika Osmani
Adem Ahmetaj
Fludian Çuka
Abedin Azizi
Petrit Tare
Jeton Shabani
Zoge Spahiu
Plenary Session 2: Addressing Sanitation Gaps: Expanding Services and Ensuring Sustainability
Moderator: Arben Musaj, Project Coordinator, National Water Supply and Sewerage Agency, Albania Co-Moderator: Fjoralba Jahupi, Young Water Professional, Albania Panelists: Ardian Islami, Director, Directorate of Water Supply and Sewerage Development Programmes, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania Kreshnik Aliu, Project Implementation Unit WWTP, Regional Water Company “Hidromorava”, Kosova Evis Gjebrea, Deputy Director, Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Gerta Lubonja, Chair, Water Regulatory Authority, Albania Fatlije Buza, Head of the Water Resources Planning Division, Ministry of Environment and Spatial... Read More
Arben Musaj
Ardian Islami
Evis Gjebrea
Gerta Lubonja
Fatlije Buza
Technical Session 1: Governance and Policies for Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Gazmend Behluli, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova Co-Moderator: Fiolla Bici, Young Water Professional, Kosova Presentations: Katerina Schilling, International Association of Water Service Companies in the Danube Region (IAWD), Austria | Rita Studniczki, Budapest Waterworks Private Company, Hungary – “Scaling Peer Support in South-East Europe: The Evolving WOP SEE Platform and the Current Funding Reality” Ardian Islami, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Albania – “Water Supply and Sewerage Sector Developments: Progress towards the Establishment of the Water Production Operator” Haseda... Read More
Gazmend Behluli
Katerina Schilling
Rita Studniczki
Ardian Islami
Haseda Rragami
12:15-13:25
Strauss Room
Technical Session 2: Digitalization and Smart Management in Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Rozarta Pura, Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Co-Moderator: Armela Gremshi, Young Water Professional, Albania Presentations: Fatos Stavileci, Fourbyte, Kosova – “Smart Water Meter Management System for Regional Water Companies (RWCs)” Abdullah Deliu, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova – “Integration of Customer Data into GIS Through Water Meter Geolocation: From Conventional Methods to Direct Field–GIS Connectivity” Tome Jovanovski, GDi DOOEL, North Macedonia – “From Network Data to Service Zones: A GIS-Based Approach for Improved Water Utility Operations”... Read More
Rozarta Pura
Armela Grëmshi
Fatos Stavileci
Abdullah Deliu
Tome Jovanovski
Valmir Daqaj
13:25-14:35
14:35-15:45
Beethoven Room
Technical Session 3: Regulatory Framework and Performance Monitoring
Moderator: Ndricim Shani, Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Co-Moderator: Fjoralba Çaushi, Young Water Professional, Albania Presentations: Malvina Zaja, Water Regulatory Authority, Albania – “From Performance Measurement to Better and More Equitable Services: The Composite Performance Index in the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector” Albert Salltakaj, IWRM-K, Kosova – “From Fragmented Data to Shared Intelligence: The SISHU Journey” Vehbi Duraku, Water Services Regulatory Authority (ARRU), Kosova – “Asset Depreciation in Accordance with ARRU Regulations: Differences from Conventional Accounting... Read More
Ndriçim Shani
Fjoralba Çaushi
Malvina Zaja
Albert Salltakaj
Vehbi Duraku
Faton Hambari
14:35-15:45
Strauss Room
Technical Session 4: Infrastructure and Asset Management in Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Vlora Zymberi, Regional Water Company “Mitrovica”, Kosova Co-Moderator: Saranda Vezvesja, Young Water Professional, Kosova Presentations: Zef Maci, Lezhë Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania – “Construction of a Stormwater Drainage Network and a Multifunctional Pumping Station for Urban Flood Risk Reduction” Bashkim Halabaku, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova – “Hydro-Digital Solutions: Digitalization of the Water Supply Network – Smart Asset Management” Bekim Rushiti, Regional Water Company “Mitrovica” – SaWa-Hidroing, Kosova – “From an Asset Management Plan to Integrated... Read More
Vlora Zymberi
Bashkim Halabaku
Bekim Rushiti
Hari Shutoski
15:50-17:00
Beethoven Room
Technical Session 5: Customer Service in Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Fadil Berisha, Regional Water Company “Hidroregjioni Jugor”, Kosova Co-Moderator: Erza Perzhella, Young Water Professional, Kosova Presentations: Albana Jani, National Water Supply and Sewerage Agency, Albania – “Digital Transformation for Citizen-Centred Services” Kushtrim Zeneli, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova – “Analysis of Customer Disconnections Due to Outstanding Debt and Illegal Connections and Their Impact on Revenue Collection” Klodian Zyberi, JEHONA SOFT, Albania – “AI in Water Supply and Sewerage Billing: From Data to More Accurate Decision-Making” Doris Axhami, Durrës Regional... Read More
Fadil Berisha
Albana Jani
Kushtrim Zeneli
Klodian Zyberi
Doris Axhami
15:50-17:00
Strauss Room
Technical Session 6: Wastewater Management I
Moderator: Enkelejda Gjinali, ABKONS/Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania Co-Moderator: Anisa Mema, Young Water Professional, Albania Presentations: Armela Gremshi, Berat Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania – “The New Integrated Wastewater and Stormwater Management System in the Historic City of Berat” Frédéric Koehl, ECOPSIS, Switzerland – “Integrated Sanitation and Stormwater Strategy of the Greater Tirana” Xheni Vata, Water Boutique, Albania – “Criteria for Selecting Wastewater Treatment Technologies for Small-Scale and Decentralized Systems: Experience from Albania” Eris Spahollari, Durrës Regional Water... Read More
Prof. Enkelejda Gjinali
Armela Grëmshi
Frédéric Koehl
Xheni Vata
Eris Spahollari
17:00
GWOPA & IAWD Meet & Greet Aperitivo
Closed activity, by invitation only
19:30
Hillstone Restaurant
Day 3
05 Nov 2026
09:00-09:30
09:30-09:35
09:35-09:45
Greeting Remarks
Fitore Pacolli Dalipi, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Republic of Kosovo (TBC)
09:45-10:00
Keynote Address: “The European Water Academy”
Vasiliki Beretsou, Scientific Project Officer at European Commission – Joint Research Centre, Italy
Vasiliki Beretsou
Plenary Session 3: People Behind Water: Skills for a Future-Ready Sector
Moderator: Elisabeta Poci, Executive Director, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania Co-Moderator: Juliana Ballo, Young Water Professional, Albania Panelists: Katerina Schilling, Secretary General, International Association of Water Service Companies in the Danube River Catchment Area (IAWD), Austria Nadire Vitija, Training Manager, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosova Pelivan Sinaj, Administrator, Berat Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Ilir Rodiqi, Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Prishtina, Kosova Marte Raja, Secretary, Young Water Professional Group, Kosova Discussion
Elisabeta Poçi
Juliana Ballo
Katerina Schilling
Pelivan Sinaj
Ilir Rodiqi
11:00-11:30
Technical Session 7: Water Resources Management and Water Supply Security
Moderator: Claudia Topalli, IDEXX, Belgium Co-Moderator: Hilda Hoti, Young Water Professional, Albania Presentations: Zsuzsanna Nagy-Kovács, Budapest Waterworks, Hungary – “Water Safety during the 2026 Drought – Lessons Learnt” Daut Islami, Regional Water Company “Gjakova”, Kosova – “Assessment of Radoniqi Lake Water Quality and Treatment at the Drinking Water Treatment Plant” Migen Duka, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania – “Water Supply Sources and Balancing Water Demand in the Service Area of the Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company” Discussion
Claudia Topalli
Hilda Hoti
Zsuzsanna Nagy-Kovács
Daut Islami
Migen Duka
11:30-13:00
Strauss Room
Technical Session 8: Wastewater Management II
Moderator: Dukagjin Nishiqi, Regional Water Company “Hidrodrini”, Kosova Co-Moderator: Arbana Krasniqi, Young Water Professional, Kosova Presentations: Enkelejda Gjinali, ABKONS/Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania – “Sanitation and Stormwater Master Plan for Greater Durrës” Avni Caka, Regional Water Company “Gjakova”, Kosova – “Trenchless Sewer Network Rehabilitation Using Robotic Equipment: A Case Study from Field Practice” Fjoralba Çaushi, Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania – “Sludge Treatment and Reuse at Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)” Lumturi Hoxha, Engineering Innovation Solutions, Albania –... Read More
Dukagjin Nishiqi
Prof. Enkelejda Gjinali
Avni Caka
Fjoralba Çaushi
13:00-14:15
14:15-15:45
Beethoven Room
Technical Session 9: Operations and Maintenance in Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Armend Avdiu, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova Co-Moderator: Diellza Zajmi, Young Water Professional, Kosova Presentations: Besjon Ndreu, Uisce Éireann, Ireland – “Vital Signs: An Automated Dashboard for Near-Real-Time Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant Status Classification in the Greater Dublin Area” Uran Rakovica, Banush Dragusha, Armend Avdiu, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova – “Experimental Analysis of the Energy Efficiency of a Three-Phase VFD–Motor–Pump System Using a 970 kVA, 690 V VFD and SVPWM Technique under Two Operating Conditions” Vullnet Laniku,... Read More
Armend Avdiu
Besjon Ndreu
Uran Rakovica
Vullnet Laniku
Meriton Shabani
14:15-15:45
Strauss Room
Technical Session 10: Financial Management in Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Elona Kuci, Water Regulatory Authority, Albania Co-Moderator: Doris Axhami, Young Water Professional, Albania Presentations: Donat Rexha, International Business College Mitrovica, Kosova – “Strategic Planning and Performance Management in Water Supply and Sewerage Companies: Developing Action Plans, Performance Indicators, and Accountability Mechanisms” Nevila Saliu, Water Regulatory Authority, Albania – “From Cost Recovery to Affordability: Tariffs as an Instrument for Sustainable and Equitable Water Services” Besjon Brahaj, Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania | Sokol Qeraxhiu, PRISMA sh.p.k., Albania –... Read More
Elona Kuçi
Doris Axhami
Prof. Ass. Dr. Donat Rexha
Nevila Saliu
15:45-16:00
Closing Session of the Conference
Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosova Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania Co-Moderators: Highlights and Takeaways from all Sessions