On 31 May and 1 June, the United Nations Development Programme in Tirana in collaboration with the Swedish Embassy will launch the long-awaited Business #2030 conference at the Palace of Brigades in Tirana, Albania.
The event will bring together a wide range of business leaders, innovators and experts from Sweden, as well as local stakeholders, to discuss business in Albania under the umbrella of sustainability.
“As Albanian companies face a multitude of challenges in the coming years, such as sustainability, digitalisation, higher safety and quality standards, and European Union integration, this conference will help them confront these issues head-on” the UNDP noted in a press release.
The idea is to inspire local businesses to follow a sustainable path while providing understanding about how it can help rather than hinder their work. Using the expertise of local and international representatives, business leaders, and policymakers, the conference draws inspiration from other global business events like the Dubai 2020 Expo.
Those attending will have the chance to watch thought-provoking panels, engage in discussions, and crucially, network. The conference will also focus on topics such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), Environmental, Social and Governance principles (ESG), and of course, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The first panel of the day will explore where business in Albania is going, featuring Louise Xin, fashion designer and human rights activist, Elsta Hastad, the Swedish ambassador to Albania, and Belinda Balluku, deputy prime minister of Albania.
Next up is a discussion on balancing profitability with responsibility towards a sustainable future. Speakers will include Maria Smith the secretary general of AXfoundation, Renato Boce from DBS Group, and representatives from EURATEX, the American Chamber of Commerce in Albania, the Albanian Agritourism Association, and Pro Export.
The third panel of the day will discuss sustainable business practices including CSR, ESGs, and SDGs, featuring Zejni Musaj from Musaj Z. shpk. Ekaterina Solovova the head of the Albanian branch of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Professor Thomas Lindhqvist from Lund University, and Ardita Seknaj from the International Chamber of Commerce in Albania.
The afternoon will see Director of Sustainability of Lindex, Anna-Karin Dahlberg and Argjira Ramosaj from Mabetex Holdings discuss circular business, followed by another panel on the circular economy and competitiveness. Speakers will include Flori Uka, Founder of Uka Wine and Co-Founder of Uka Farm, Petrica Dulgheru, Executive Director, Roma Entrepreneurship Initiative, and Samir Memedov, Program officer for environment, climate change and resilience, WeEffect amongst others.
The last panel of the day will see Arben Shkodra from the Albanian Manufacturers Union, Vide Richter from Sweden Global Impact and Emir Adzovic from UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, discuss the launch of SDG Pioneers Albania.
On Thursday, Rizvan Kurti from Funky Cabin, Tina Molund from Ikea Social Entrepreneurship and a mix of local and international experts will discuss innovation and its impact on business.
You can register for the event here.
The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and implemented by UNDP, FAO, ILO and UNIDO in Albania.
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