Program
2025 BALKANS JOINT CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
SHUKALB and SHUKOS are pleased to invite you to join and participate in the Program of the 13th Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition which will be held on 11–13 November, 2025, in Durres, Albania, at the Grand Blue Fafa Resort.
The theme of the 2025 Conference, “Sustainable Water Management in a Changing Climate,” shines a spotlight on one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Climate change is already transforming the availability, quality, and distribution of water—disrupting ecosystems and threatening the sustainability of communities across the region.
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
11 Nov 2025
14:00-17:00
Vjosa Room (Closed activity, by invitation only)
D-LeaP Benchmarking Program Workshop – Kosovo and Albania HUB
The workshop will bring together water supply and sewerage companies participating in the Benchmarking Program (UBP) – the Hub for Kosovo and Albania, and will focus on activities aimed at identifying and correcting possible errors, carrying out the validation process, and finalizing the individual reports. The goal is to strengthen the capacities of Albanian-speaking HUB coordinators in using and managing performance indicators based on international standards, as well as in utilizing the UBP platform to generate specific analyses, dynamic reports,... Read More
14:30-17:00
Dardania Room (Open Activity)
Young Water Professionals Forum
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
Buna Room (Open Activity)
Technology Transfer Workshop
The workshop will bring together companies participating in the Conference Exhibition to present innovative solutions, technologies, and services showcased in the Conference Exhibition. This activity will serve as a platform for practical exchange between technology providers and water utilities, fostering partnerships for more efficient and sustainable water management.
18:00
CONFERENCE OPENING CEREMONY
Elisabeta Poçi
18:00-18:15
Official Welcome
Arsim Fetahu
Petrit Tare
Greeting Remarks
H.E Karl Bergner
H.E Sofjan Japuaj
H. E Skënder Durmishi
Mr.François Debergh
18:40-19:00
Recognition and Awards Ceremony
Board of Directors Award Lifetime Service Award
Day 2
12 Nov 2025
08:00-09:00
09:00-09:10
Opening
Arbana Kola
09:10-09:20
Greeting Remarks
Klevis Jahaj
09:20-09:40
Keynote Address: “Systems in Transition – Innovating for a Resilient Water Future”
Prof. Kala Vairavamoorthy
Plenary Session 1: Water Management: Building Resilience in a Changing Climate
Moderator: Elisabeta Poci, Executive Director, Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania Co-Moderator: Erdonita Humolli, Young Water Professional, Kosova
Prof. Kala Vairavamoorthy
Gerta Lubonja
Erdonita Humolli
Hector Alexander Serrano
Arsim Fetahu
Mr.François Debergh
Elisabeta Poçi
Plenary Session 2: Water Sector Alignment with EU Directives: From Policies to Implementation
Moderator: Jeton Shabani, Chief Executive Officer, Regional Water Company “Bifurkacioni” Ferizaj, Kosova Co-Moderator: Elsa Belba, Young Water Professional, Albania
Elsa Belba
Dirk Vallerien
Timothée Cargill
Arben Musaj
Petrit Tare
Jeton Shabani
Hajrie Morina
Shamil Rexhepi
12:15-13:15
Dardania Room
Technical Session 1: Climate Change and Water and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Semira Kasimati, Valu Add Management Services, Albania Co-Moderator: Redon Katroshi, Young Water Professional, Albania
Gerta Lubonja
Erdonita Humolli
Ramiz Kokollari
Technical Session 2: Technical Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies I
Moderator: Evis Gjebrea, Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Co-Moderator: Anisa Mema, Young Water Professional, Albania
Fjoralba Çaushi
Pál Bartók
Leonat Muskollari
Evis Gjebrea
13:14-14:30
Technical Session 3: Water Resources Management
Moderator: Hasan Krasniqi, Regional Water Company “Gjakova” Kosova Co-Moderator: Arbëri Bytyҁi, Young Water Professional, Kosova
Faruk Mujka
Daut Islami
Sajmir Beqiraj
Hasan Krasniqi
Technical Session 4: Technical Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies II
Moderator: Gazmend Behluli, Regional Water Company “Prishtina”, Kosova Co-Moderator: Donika Osmani, Young Water Professional, Kosova
Gazmend Behluli
François Figueres
Donika Osmani
Demokrat Bytyqi
Bor Darius Gheorghe
Valbona Paja
15:35-16:35
Dardania Room
Technical Session 5: Financial Sustainability and Institutional Models in Water and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Edona Kraja, Shkoder Regional Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Co-Moderator: Helga Medja, Young Water Professional, Albania
Dr. Károly Kovács
Oliver Loebel
Edona Kraja
Jonila Kumnova
Stanislav Stanev
Technical Session 6: Operation and Maintenance in Water Supply and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Fadil Berisha, Regional Water Company “Hidroregjioni Jugor” Prizren, Kosova Co-Moderator: Argjenta Kamberi, Young Water Professional, Kosova
Fadil Berisha
Argjenta Kamberi
Bashkim Kurti
Ramón Kreka
Bashkim Halabaku
Day 3
13 Nov 2025
09:00-09:30
09:30-09:35
Opening
Abdullah Derguti
09:35-09:45
Greeting Remarks
H. E Catherine Suard
09:45-10:00
10:00-11:00
Dardania Room
Plenary Session 3: Sanitation and Wastewater Management: Pathways to Sustainability
Moderator: Jovan Gjika, Project Coordinator, National Agency of Water Supply and Sewerage, Albania Co-Moderator: Besar Grazhda, Young Water Professional, Kosova
Jovan Gjika
Ardian Islami
Clémence Gagnaire
Adem Ahmetaj
Hasan Krasniqi
11:00-11:30
Technical Session 7: Regulatory and Institutional Approaches in the Water Supply and Sewerage Sector
Moderator: Bekim Juniku, Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosova Co-Moderator: Nita Lleshi, Young Water Professional, Kosova
Nita Lleshi
Bekim Juniku
Federico Penelosa
Zoge Spahiu
Technical Session 8: Wastewater Management
Moderator: Enkelejda Gjinali, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania Co-Moderator: Armela Gremshi, Young Water Professional, Albania
Frédéric Koehl
AVNI CAKA
Lumni Sallahu
Philippe Reymond
Prof. Enkelejda Gjinali
Armela Grëmshi
13:00-14:15
14:15-15:45
Dardania Room
Technical Session 9: Customer Service in Water and Sewerage Companies
Moderator: Rozarta Pura, Durrës Regional Water Supply and Sewerage Company, Albania Co-Moderator: Fjoralba Çaushi, Young Water Professional, Albania
Klodian Zyberi
Fjoralba Çaushi
Doris Axhami
Faton Hambari
Rozarta Pura
Technical Session 10: Wastewater and Sludge Management
Moderator: Fjolla Lasku, Regional Water Supply Company Gjakova, Kosova Co-Moderator: Saranda Vezvesja, Young Water Professional, Kosova
Mónica Jiménez B
Prof. Ram Shpiner
Dukagjin Nishiqi
Fjolla Lasku
Aleks Andoni
15:45-16:00
Closing Session of the Conference
Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Albania Water and Wastewater Works Association, Kosova Co-Moderators: Highlights and Takeaways from all Sessions