Rebecca Thorne at the Energy Forum 2026 in Vienna

On 10 June 2026, IDM Research Associate Rebecca Thorne moderated a panel discussion at the Energy Forum 2026 on the future of energy independence and regional cooperation in Central and Southeastern Europe. 

Following an online presentation by Aleksandar Kovačević from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, Peter Hlusek from the Energy Community Secretariat gave an overview of developments in the regional gas market while Mario Holzner from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies illustrated the economic trends of import dependence compared with regional growth. 

The ensuing conversation addressed the need to move away from fossil gas, including the possibility of using existing infrastructure for hydrogen as well as the challenges of the supply chain for the further development renewables. Panellists also touched on the role of EU enlargement in promoting energy integration. 

The Energy Forum was jointly organised by the Gnosis Institute and the Organisation of the Central and Southeast European Consular Corps for Cooperation and Development (OCECCD).