On 11-13 November, the autumn conference circuit had another important station in a seaside resort in Durres, Albania: The 13^th edition of the Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition gathered water professionals and stakeholders from everywhere in the region for an intense three-day work program. IAWD was there, not the least because back-to-back with the conference, important meetings like the Benchmarking Program Workshop of the Kosovo and Albania Hub took place.

Over the last decade, the Balkans Joint Conference and Exhibition has established itself as a premier knowledge-sharing and networking event for the Western Balkans water sector. Regularly drawing 500+ audiences, this event provides a dynamic discussion and exchange platform for water professionals, policymakers, and industry experts.

Organized by SHUKALB and SHUKOS, the water supply and sewerage associations of Albania and Kosovo, the conference offers an exciting program, great hospitality, and a large-scale Equipment, Technology, and Services Exhibition presenting a diverse array of private sector companies working in the water sector throughout the Balkans region. Attendees are welcome to explore latest innovations, technologies, and services designed to support sustainable water management and climate adaptation.

With pretty much everybody important there, the conference is an ideal occasion for regional meetings, and the pre-conference work program featured, in addition to a Young Water Professionals Forum, the Utility Benchmarking Program Workshop of the Kosovo and Albania Hub and the wrap-up of the current 2024 data cycle of the UBP Danube Hub.

The Utility Benchmarking Program fosters data gathering and performance comparisons across borders, bringing together utilities of all sizes to learn from one another through annual workshops, benchmarking reports, individual consultations, and thematic knowledge exchanges.

There are currently three active hubs: the Albanian and Kosovo Hub, the Bulgarian Hub, and the Danube Hub which covers the whole region. Due to war, the Ukrainian Hub is currently inactive.

The Bulgarian Hub holds one study visit every year, this year attending the Balkans Joint Conference with excursions to local water and sanitation operators and companies scheduled. The Kosovo Albania Hub chose the conference as background for their annual workshop, and the Danube Hub organized a presentation on "A Decade of Benchmarking Experience in the  Danube Region" for the session on "Technical Management of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies".

The timing was ideal, with the 2024 data cycle winding down, and the next cycle - for 2025 data - set to start at the beginning of the new year. It is the perfect time for utilities to start take their "New Year's data resolutions", asking themselves:

• "How well did we collect, validate, and use data this year?" 
• "What indicators do we want to focus on improving next year?" 
• "How can we make data a bigger part of our daily management and planning?"

After all, the message of the Utility Benchmarking Program is that good data make good decisions. Consistent and continuous data collection allows utilities to track progress and demonstrate improvement. It creates internal accountability and a culture of evidence-based work. Solid data also helps to argue investments and strategic decisions to boards, regulators, and financiers. Last, not least, comparisons with regional peers help to identify strengths and weaknesses.

The new UBP cycle will begin early 2026, collecting performance data for 2025. Participating utilities are encouraged to prepare early, reviewing data sources, coordinating departments, and setting clear internal targets early in the new data cycle.

The next UBP Danube Hub Workshop will once again bring the benchmarking community together to exchange results, celebrate progress, and plan for the future - next year in Sofia, Bulgaria. We are looking forward to meet you there!