Vice Rector of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu attended the "Zonguldak & Essen: Green Transformation and Energy Forum," organized in cooperation with the Zonguldak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the City of Essen under the auspices of the Zonguldak Governorship.

The forum was attended by Deputy Governor of Zonguldak Muammer Balcı, Essen Mayor Thomas Kufen and his delegation, Zonguldak Provincial Chair of the AK Party Mustafa Çağlayan, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Metin Demir, representatives of chambers of industry and commerce, and businessmen.

Zonguldak and Essen Talked About the Vision Extending from a Shared Industrial Past to a Green Future

During the forum hosted by the Zonguldak Chamber of Commerce and Industry, topics such as developing economic and institutional collaboration between Zonguldak and Essen, initiatives in the fields of green transformation and energy, as well as new investment and mutual project opportunities were discussed. It was also discussed at length during the forum how the historical experiences of the two cities, shaped by coal and heavy industry, can be transformed into a development model in line with today's sustainability and green transformation goals.

Prof. Dr. Karasu: “We Need to Carry Our Industrial Heritage Shaped by Coal into the Future Through Green Technologies”

In his remarks at the program, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Servet Karasu stated that Zonguldak and Essen have two deep-rooted mining basins that have contributed to the development of their respective countries through coal and heavy industry.

Prof. Dr. Karasu said, “The hardships resulting from the climate crisis, goals to reduce carbon footprints, and sustainability visions make an inevitable transformation in industry necessary. The structural transformation of Essen from coal to a green economy and from industrial heritage to a center of innovative technologies and renewable energy is a significant example for Zonguldak.”

Highlighting that Zonguldak has the potential to shape its own process through its engineering background, energy potential, Filyos Valley Project, industrial infrastructure, and strong academic capacity, Karasu stated that green transformation does not mean giving up production.

In his speech, he also added, “Green transformation doesn’t mean giving up industry or production. On the contrary, it makes production cleaner, more efficient, with more added value, and more durable for the future. It is time to carry our industrial heritage into the future in the light of green technologies and sustainable engineering solutions,” and wished that the meeting would be beneficial.

The program concluded following the evaluations.