Islamabad, 17 August 2022 (TDI): The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Pakistan organized a first-ever Energy Performance Awards 2022 on Wednesday.

Remarks of the Chief Guest

The Federal Minister of Industries and Production, Syed Murtaza Mahmud, attended the event as the chief Guest and distributed awards among the winners.

The Minister remarked, “It is heartening to see that UNIDO is bringing a new concept to incentivize energy efficiency actors in Pakistan. It is indeed an honor for the people, government, and other relevant institutions of Pakistan that UNIDO has worked so hard and achieved so much in this project that was much needed in an energy deficient environment.”

Remarks of UNIDO’s Energy Director

The Director of the Energy Department at UNIDO, Tareq Emtairah, participated virtually from UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna.

Addressing the audience, he said, “Pakistan brings with it a broad yet specialized global expertise from UNIDO with its successful approaches to energy transition and energy efficiency. The success of this project is evident from the fact that a new paradigm of energy excellence has been created, where many industries have embraced the new concept of the energy management system and have gained immensely in terms of cost saving as well as continual improvements at operational levels.”

Remarks of UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator

Furthermore, speaking on this occasion, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, Julien Harneis, appreciated UNIDO and the GEF for jointly creating avenues to counter climate change, a global challenge.

He said the steps taken to introduce energy management standards to improve industrial development are commendable. Subsequently, he added that it is high time that for all to work together to reduce their adverse environmental impact.

Remarks of UNIDO Country Representative

Earlier, opening the ceremony, the UNIDO Country Representative, Nadia Aftab, extended appreciation to the applicant industries for participating and said, “The objective of the UNIDO Sustainable Energy Project is to reduce GHG emissions through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency technologies, meets many of the 17 SDGs but is closest to SDG 9, which is related to Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.”.

She also suggested UNIDO’s mandate to eradicate poverty through inclusive and Sustainable Industrial development, which implies that no one is left behind and all parts of society benefit from industrial progress.

Response from MD National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority

The MD National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Dr. Sardar Muhazzam, appreciated the efforts of UNIDO and the GEF in setting up new standards for industries with the implementation of an Energy Management System in the industries in Pakistan.

The Energy Performance Awards: An overview

The Energy Performance Awards for Industry were held under UNIDO’s project “Sustainable Energy Initiative for Industries in Pakistan,” a project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), in collaboration with National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) and other sector project partners in Pakistan.

Many professionals attended the event, including the industry’s top management and participants from academia, public sector organizations, development agencies, and energy service companies.

The award’s objective was to set a platform for a regular national event to motivate the industrial sector to shift toward clean and green technologies through recognition and appreciation of the high achievers for their commitment and hard work towards energy improvements in the industry under the project’s Energy Management System implementation program in the 50 enterprises.

The event featured an informative overview of the project, the Awards scheme, and the process shared by Masroor Ahmed Khan, National Project Manager UNIDO.

The event conferred the best performing Enterprise Award to Serena Hotel Islamabad. while the best performing consultant award to Arch Associates.

Winners of the Energy Performance Awards

Additionally, the best Energy Professional Awards were conferred to Syeda Mehdia of Ebrahim Textile (a woman professional in the energy sector) and Fahad Ali Amjad of EMCO Industries.

The launch of the SMEDA Energy Desk 

Another highlight of the event was the formal launch of the newly established Energy Desk at the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA).

Energy Desk is one window facility established to facilitate SMEs on energy efficiency and renewable energy issues. Hashim Raza, CEO of Small and Medium Enterprise Authority, oriented the audience on Energy Desk.

UNIDO: An overview

UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations focusing on Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in the developing world.

It works on projects directly or indirectly related to inclusive and sustainable industrial development, Climate Change, Trade, etc.

In all projects where UNIDO provides technical assistance, it is ensured that the project is sustainable and adaptable for the private sector.

UNIDO is fully working on its theme of ISID (Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development), which refers active participation of women along with men in all aspects of Inclusive and Sustainable industrial development.

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