On 6 February 2025, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, which is currently chairing the Development Coordination Council Working Group on Macro, Private, and Financial Sector Development and Regional Trade Facilitation, hosted its first quarterly meeting. This meeting provided a timely platform for members to share their planned operational activities for the year, enabling synergies among development partners, fostering robust cooperative efforts, and avoiding overlap and duplication of initiatives. As the number of members increases, the Working Group becomes more effective in delivering essential thematic updates and discussing significant initiatives undertaken by government entities, development partners, and the private sector.
In the second part of the event, guest speakers from the Research Institute for Sustainable Development and Green Economy at the International University of Tourism and Entrepreneurship of Tajikistan presented information about their institution and its efforts in research and education, seeking potential cooperation partners.
The Working Group is open to new members engaged in trade, private, or financial sector development. Coordination meetings are scheduled to take place quarterly.
Depuis le drame de Novi Sad, la révolte en Serbie contre la corruption ne cesse de prendre de l'ampleur. Quelles issues possibles ? Figure de l'opposition, le général Zdravko Ponoš, plaide pour un gouvernement de transition. Entretien.
- Articles / Vucic, Politique, Courrier des Balkans, Serbie, Société, Une - Diaporama, Une - Diaporama - En premierDepuis le drame de Novi Sad, la révolte en Serbie contre la corruption ne cesse de prendre de l'ampleur. Quelles issues possibles ? Figure de l'opposition, le général Zdravko Ponoš, plaide pour un gouvernement de transition. Entretien.
- Articles / Vucic, Politique, Courrier des Balkans, Serbie, Société, Une - Diaporama, Une - Diaporama - En premierWritten by Guillaume Ragonnaud.
Batteries, widely used in the transport and energy sectors, are central to the global energy system. They will be key to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future and strategic autonomy. Boosting the industrial base for battery production is therefore a key task for the EU.
While the EU battery sector enjoys strong support for its research and development activities, it also faces significant challenges such as dependencies on third countries and high energy and labour costs. Developing battery recycling or implementing more sustainable value chains could help address some of these challenges. However, significant threats, such as competition from countries with lower environmental standards, may hinder progress and require strategic action.
Projections around battery manufacturing in the EU remain highly uncertain. Many reports claim that the EU is on track to meet its future battery needs, yet also highlight significant risks that could prevent this from happening. Factors such as rising energy and labour costs, incentives offered by third countries, slower-than-expected market developments, or difficult access to critical raw materials, could undermine the sector’s competitiveness. Mastering the complexities of battery manufacturing technologies remains another major challenge. Delays or cancellations of gigafactory projects have already been announced across Europe. The recent collapse of Northvolt, once hailed as Europe’s flagship home-grown battery manufacturer, has raised serious concerns about the future of batteries ‘made in Europe’.
The EU has long recognised batteries as one of its strategic technological sectors. To make its battery supply chains secure, resilient and sustainable, the EU uses three approaches. First, it seeks to inject strategic impetus into the sector, using its convening power to improve cooperation among stakeholders. Second, it is working on a comprehensive regulatory framework. Third, it provides the sector with funding. The development of the battery sector provides an instructive case study for shaping an effective EU industrial policy.
Read the complete briefing on ‘Powering the EU’s future: Strengthening the battery industry‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.