The Workshop focused particularly on SOEs’ Climate Action potential with participants discussing new approaches to better develop climate-informed SOE policies. The event also discussed approaches to organize and coordinate the State’s SOE ownership functions.

With strong endorsement by participants, the Workshop also launched the Community of Practice (CoP) for SOE Policy Makers in Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership Countries. Participants agreed on focus areas and a tentative activity plan for the coming years.

The Workshop positioned SOE reform and the SOE CoP prominently as a core activity under the Vienna Development Knowledge Center, which was formally launched by World Bank Vice President Antonella Bassani during the Workshop.

Key take-away messages from the event was the support and commitment by participating countries to share experiences with SOE governance reforms, and to establish a platform from where such knowledge exchanges can take place in the future. With the World Bank as “secretariat” for the newly established Community of Practice, a program of activities will be developed and gradually implemented over the coming years.

The event also took note of and appreciated the financial support to the initiative from the Government of Austria, Swiss SECO, and the European Commission, as well as the expert contributions from leading reformers and other international organizations.