Adding sustainability to every niche of our society

We are living in a rapidly changing world. COVID-19 and the Ukraine crisis have shown us once again how fragile our life is and how interconnected we all are.  

Long forgotten food and energy insecurities, panic and fear re-emerged again on the European continent. This comes on top of already depleted financial resources due to stimulus programmes aimed at responding to COVID-19, which affected developing countries especially.  

The key recommendations of Our Common Agenda prove to be even more relevant now: renewed solidarity, new social contract between Governments and their people, and better management of critical global commons, and global public goods that deliver equitably and sustainably for all.  

These crises also showed us that our current way of life is unsustainable (and somewhat irresponsible). It is essential to ensure long-term thinking and anticipatory planning, as well as to step up our collective and individual responsibility for the problems we face today so that the future generations are better prepared for the challenges ahead. Governments can do a lot through transparent and accountable measures, but we can do even more as citizens. Starting by simple, trivial things, like switching off the lights when we don’t need them.  

Although some of these problems seem new, the solutions are well known. Renewable energy and energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, prudent and focused public spending and cooperation, cooperation, cooperation.  

Across the world, but also in this country, it is most important to work together and effectively implement these solutions. It is time for unity and action. This is the time to show the future generation that change is possible.  

I am proud that UN remains a partner of choice for the Government of North Macedonia and the Macedonian society on many issues that are essential for this change. Our joint work on green transition of the economy, innovative development financing and services that strengthen the resilience among the citizens and especially those that are most vulnerable is particularly relevant.  

As the UN we stand ready to provide the expertise and to apply the strength of multilateralism in resolving the problems. However, brave decisions and change can only be made possible by the institutions, organizations, and citizens of North Macedonia together.