Green transition is a must not only for Europe and Slovenia but also for Velenje
First row, second from the left: Peter Dermol, Maroš Šefčovič, Dr Aleksander Jevšek, Jerneja Jug Jerše, second row: Iztok Mori, Srečko Đurov | Author Žiga Živulović, photo Bobo
Opening addresses were delivered by 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, Miran Gajšek, State Secretary at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, and, on behalf of the region, the host of the event, Mayor of the Urban Municipality of Velenje, Peter Dermol.
In his opening address, Minister Jevšek underlined that green transition is a must not only for Europe and Slovenia but also for Velenje. “We should make sure that green transition of coal regions and cities like Velenje is an opportunity for present and future generations – an opportunity for new jobs and high-quality and fulfilling life in home settings.”
In cooperation with other ministries and local communities, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development are developing two key coal exit acts, namely the Act Regulating the Gradual Closure of the Velenje Coal Mine and the Restructuring of the Savinjsko-Šaleška Region Act. The drafts of both acts will be prepared by the end of 2024.
The European Commission has approved the territorial just transition plans for both coal regions in Slovenia, namely for Zasavje and the Savinjsko-Šaleška region. The plans make a good 250 million euros of the Just Transition Fund available to the mentioned regions. EU funding is not the only available source of funding; it, however, plays an important role in the economic, social, environmental, and energy restructuring of both coal regions, also said Minister Jevšek in his opening address.
In his opening address, the Mayor of Velenje, Peter Dermol, thanked the European Commission and the Slovenian government for their support in the region’s green transition and coal exit. The mayor presented the main projects that are already being implemented, and the challenges the region faces. He drew attention to the short deadlines for project closure and the necessity of preserving the Just Transition Fund, which is meant for coal regions, also in the post-2027 financial perspective.
The opening addresses were followed by an opening session that focused on the perspective of industrial and green transition. The opening session was attended by State Secretary at the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development, Srečko Đurov. The opening session was chaired by Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.
Đurov stressed that the cooperation of municipalities, regions, public institutions, the economy, civil society and science, as well as the cooperation of people who have a vision and the needed knowledge, play a key role in a successful transition. “Just transition will not be successful if it is not focused on the right measures which need to be developed with a bottom-up approach and in cooperation with the relevant region. The Just Transition Fund resources play a key role.”
Our common goal is a green transition, which leaves no one behind, is just for all and represents the foundation of the development breakthrough of Velenje, the Savinjsko-Šaleška region, Zasavje, and the whole of Slovenia. I believe that green transition will bring a higher quality of life for all, also said Đurov.
This year’s annual dialogue, which was hosted by the city of Veljenje, is already fifth in a row. Previous events were hosted by Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), Oviedo (Spain), Görlitz (Germany) and Katowice (Poland).