The Eighth International Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum organized by UNECE was held in Istanbul

08-10. May

This year’s Eighth International Public-Private Partnership Forum in Istanbul was the epicenter of key discussions on the sustainability and efficiency of projects around the world. Under the auspices of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Forum highlighted PPP projects from various parts of the world, emphasizing their alignment with global sustainable development goals.

The executive director of PPP Investment, Jelena Tadić, took part in three panels at this year’s UNECE Forum.

At the session “Creating new roads: Managing the power of PPP for sustainable development goals in road safety financing”, Tadić pointed out that public-private partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as an effective solution that shapes our society in numerous ways. This collaborative approach between the public and private sectors brings together their strengths, resources, new financial instruments, technologies and know-how to solve complex challenges and drive sustainable development. PPPs have the potential to revolutionize the way we deal with social, economic and environmental issues, Tadić stressed.

The following day, PPP projects from around the world were presented, including the project to replace public lighting in the City of Valjevo, which met the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Presenting Serbia’s experience in the implementation of PPP policy, Tadić pointed out at the panel “National programs and policies of PPP in UNECE member states: capacity building for increasing PPPs oriented towards sustainable development goals” that as a country we are a regional leader in the preparation and implementation of PPP projects. “Serbia recognizes the key role of PPP in promoting sustainable development and solving infrastructure needs while stimulating economic growth.” said Tadić.

Tadić pointed out that one of the key aspects of the PPP project is to ensure sustainable financing, and that intensive work was done to create a favorable environment for private investments. This includes increasing predictability, transparency and legal certainty within the regulatory framework.

“I firmly believe that Serbia remains committed to the promotion of sustainable PPPs and the development of infrastructure in accordance with the goals of sustainable development. Serbia recognizes the crucial importance of capacity building for the effective implementation of PPP and infrastructure projects. Our needs for capacity building cover various areas, including support in the preparation of projects, strengthening of legal and regulatory frameworks and improvement of technical expertise in the public sector,” concluded Jelena Tadić at the end of this panel.

At the session “Building capacity to increase public-private partnership aimed at sustainable development goals”, the experiences of jury members who evaluate PPP projects from all over the world were shared.

Speaking about the PIERS program, Tadić noted that the PIERS program enables the assessment of the compliance of the public-private partnership (PPP) with the goals of sustainable development. “On the other hand, the program provides guarantees to private investors, attracting sustainable investments and promoting economic growth.” The PIERS methodology, which aims to evaluate projects in relation to sustainable development goals and criteria for the environment, society and management, marks a key moment on our way to a fairer and more environmentally conscious future,” concluded Jelena Tadić.

The UNECE Forum on Public-Private Partnerships is an annual gathering held to promote dialogue and cooperation between the public and private sectors related to PPPs. This Forum brings together representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, academia and civil society to discuss key issues, challenges and best practices in the field of public-private partnerships.

Through various panels and sessions, the Forum provides a platform for sharing experiences, establishing partnerships and developing policies aimed at improving PPP management practices.