Islamabad, 17 August 2022 – Within the framework of its project “Sustainable Energy Initiative for Industries in Pakistan”, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) arranged for the first-ever Energy Performance Awards to recognize high achievers in energy-intensive industries.

“I am grateful for UNIDO’s new project that incentivizes energy efficiency actors in Pakistan”, said Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Federal Minister of Industries and Production. “UNIDO has achieved so much in this project, which was very much needed in an energy deficient environment”.

“With the implementation of Energy Management Systems for Pakistan’s industries, UNIDO and the GEF are setting up new standards”, said Sardar Muhazzam, Managing Director of the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) with whom UNIDO collaborates on the project’s implementation.

The awards seek to become a motivational platform to shift toward clean and green technologies by recognizing and appreciating high achievers for their commitment and hard work.

“Overall, the project seeks to reduce Greenhous Gas (GHG) emissions through renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies”, said Julien Harneis, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan. “I would like to recognize UNIDO and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for creating avenues to jointly counter climate change”.

“The project allowed for the emergence of a new energy excellence paradigm through which industries now embrace the new concepts related to energy management systems”, said Mr. Tareq Emtairah, Director of UNIDO’s Energy Department in his virtual statement. “Pakistani industries have immensely gained in terms of cost saving as well as through continuous improvements at the operational level”.

The event featured an informative overview of the project as well as the Awards scheme, which recognized the Serena Hotel Islamabad, Arch Associates, Ebrahim Textile, and EMCO Industries. Another highlight was the formal launch of the newly established Energy Desk at the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA), which advises SMEs on issues related to energy efficiency and renewable energy. The event was attended by high-level professionals from the public and private sector as well as from academia and development agencies.

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Amina Nasim Kham

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https://www.unido.org/who-we-are-unido-worldwide-asia-and-pacific-offices/pakistan