The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Timcho Mucunski, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Republic of North Macedonia, Rita Columbia, held the first meeting of the Joint Steering Committee for the implementation of the new United Nations–North Macedonia Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the period 2026–2030 today.At the meeting, the joint workplans for the upcoming period were adopted. A review was also made of the achievements to date in implementing the Cooperation Framework, as well as of the priorities for the period ahead.In his address, Minister Mucunski emphasized that the role of the United Nations remains essential as a platform for dialogue, a driver of development policies, and a guarantor of the rules‑based international order.“It is particularly significant that we are entering a new cycle of global leadership within the United Nations system, with the upcoming election of a new Secretary‑General. This opens new opportunities to further strengthen the effectiveness, reforms, and relevance of the Organization in addressing contemporary challenges, as well as to renew and reinforce trust in multilateralism. The new Cooperation Framework 2026–2030 represents a strategic foundation for further deepening the partnership between the Government and the United Nations system,” Mucunski stated.The UN Resident Coordinator, Rita Columbia, highlighted the importance of the joint efforts of all societal actors in the sustainable development process and expressed gratitude for their contributions.“In 2025, the United Nations in North Macedonia acted in unity in support of the country’s national priorities, while at the same time completing the 2021–2025 Cooperation Framework and laying the foundations for the new vision for the 2026–2030 period. The progress achieved is a shared success. I thank the Government for its strong partnership, as well as our development partners for their trust, support, and cooperation. I particularly value the role of civil society organizations, the academic community, youth and women’s organizations, and the private sector, whose contributions were essential. Together, we are building a greener and healthier future for the generations to come,” Columbia said.During the discussion, members of the Joint Steering Committee from the Government and the United Nations Country Team exchanged views on the Government’s priorities in the current period, as well as on the continued support that the UN system can provide in implementing national development goals and the new Cooperation Framework for 2026–2030. 

Skopje, North Macedonia – Twelve-year-old Tomo Popovski from Skopje has been selected as one of the global winners of the FAO World Food Day 2025 Poster Contest, marking the fourth time that a young artist from North Macedonia has been recognized among the global winners of the competition.A seventh-grade student at "Kocho Racin" Primary School, Tomo won in the 9–12 years category with his poster inspired by World Food Day theme, "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future", which highlights the importance of collective action and solidarity in building a more sustainable and food-secure world.His artwork depicts people from different cultures working together around the globe, surrounded by healthy foods that symbolize cooperation, sustainability and hope. Through his drawing, Tomo wanted to convey a simple but powerful message: when people work together, they can overcome challenges and create a better future for everyone."My drawing is inspired by the idea that people can achieve great things when they work together," says Tomo. "Food is not only something we need to survive; it is something that connects families, communities and nations."Tomo becomes the fourth young artist from North Macedonia to receive global recognition in the FAO World Food Day Poster Contest, following Sara Cvetkova (2019), Pavel Milanovski (2020) and Mihaela Stojmenovic (2022). Their achievements reflect the creativity and growing awareness of young people in North Macedonia about food security, agriculture and environmental sustainability.A message of unity and hopeEvery year, the FAO World Food Day Poster Contest encourages children and young people from around the world to share their vision for a better future through art. The theme, "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future", celebrated the power of solidarity and collective action in building a world where everyone has access to healthy food.Through his artwork, Tomo reminds us that a better future starts with cooperation. "By working together, respecting nature and ensuring food for everyone, we can create a world that is healthier, more humane and more sustainable," says Tomo. "My artwork is a symbol of unity, compassion and hope for future generations."As North Macedonia's fourth global winner of the FAO World Food Day Poster Contest, Tomo joins a remarkable group of young artists whose creativity has helped bring global attention to food security, sustainable agriculture and the importance of working together for a better future.Read more:Sara Cvetkova, winner in 2019 promoting the protection of bees for a #ZeroHunger world;Pavel Milanovski, winner in 2020 for portraying farmers as Food Heroes; Mihaela Stojmenovic, winner in 2022 highlighting the vital role of small-scale farmers in providing diverse and nutritious food. Winners of FAO World Food Day 2025 Poster Contest 

Dushanbe, Tajikistan – Ministers and high-level representatives from across Europe and Central Asia gathered here on Monday to discuss ways to strengthen the efficiency, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability of agrifood systems in the face of growing climate, economic and geopolitical pressures.The 35th Session of the FAO Regional Conference for Europe  (ERC35) is being held in Tajikistan's capital under the overarching theme “Uniting for Sustainability: Integrating climate action, biodiversity conservation and land restoration for sustainable agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia.”Held every two years, the ERC is FAO's highest governing body for the Europe and Central Asia region, offering countries and related partners the opportunity to discuss the most pressing issues in food and agriculture and to define FAO’s priority areas of work for the following biennium.In his address to the regional ministerial conference, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu reminded delegates that the challenges faced by the region, among them the climate crisis, economic pressures, and supply chain disruptions, do not respect borders and therefore demand collective action and solutions.He called for discussions to focus on two urgent priorities: strengthening the resilience of agrifood systems across the region; and securing adequate financing to make that resilience possible.The regional ministerial conference is taking place at a time when countries across Europe and Central Asia are simultaneously facing climate shocks, market volatility and geopolitical disruptions, alongside biodiversity loss, water stress and rising pressure on household food affordability.Although global food commodity markets have partially stabilized following major price spikes in 2022 due to the war in Ukraine, many countries across Europe and Central Asia continue to face elevated food prices and high agricultural input costs, not least due to the current conflict in the Middle East.Qu highlighted that the recently held 180th Special Session of the FAO Council had reaffirmed that "Peace and stability are pre-requisites for food security and the right to food is a basic human right" and emphasized the critical need to "work together to mitigate the impacts of conflict on vulnerable populations and ensure food, fertilizer and seeds reach those who need them most."From an environmental perspective, Europe and Central Asia is projected to continue warming at roughly twice the global average, intensifying droughts, floods, wildfires and agricultural stress.Recent extreme weather events across the region serve as a stark reminder that business as usual is no longer an option, Qu said. More than 90 million hectares of land in Europe and Central Asia are estimated to be degraded, underscoring the urgency of decisive action.The Director-General noted that FAO has a clear roadmap in the form of its Strategic Framework 2022–31, anchored in the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life - leaving no one behind.Since 2015, development finance flows to agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia have amounted to about $ 21.4 billon. "Yet they remain far below what is required," Qu said.At a time of constrained public budgets and limited private capital flows, especially to small and medium-sized enterprises, we need to work with governments, development banks, international financial institutions, and private sector partners, the Director-General said.Regional Conference side eventsThe two-day regional ministerial conference in Dushanbe also includes a number of FAO and Members-organized side events, starting with GENERATION YSInvest, an event on youth, science and innovation, and investment. The event aimed to demonstrate how inclusive participation, evidence-based solutions and high-level investment dialogue can jointly accelerate agrifood systems transformation.In his opening remarks, the Director-General noted that the region has an extraordinary strong potential to lead the transformation of agrifood systems and unlock Central Asia's potential as a breadbasket of the world.The key is to bring together three powerful forces of change - youth, science and innovation, and investment - not as separate themes, but as interconnected drivers of transformation, Qu said.On Monday, the Director-General also addressed the Opening of the Ministerial Investment Dialogue: Central Asia-Unlocking the Potential as a Breadbasket. The dialogue aimed to position Central Asia as a stable, climate-resilient grain hub contributing to regional and global food security.Wheat is a key pillar of the Central Asia agrifood system and the region has a clear advantage: a strong wheat production base, complementarity in wheat supply and demand, and proximity to major regional markets.Realizing this potential requires targeted investments and closer cooperation, Qu said, as he invited Ministers to focus on two closely connected priorities: unlocking wheat value chain potential and managing natural resources sustainably.Running in parallel to the ERC35 is the GENERATION YSInvest Exhibition, an immersive experience combining visual storytelling, interactive installations and participatory spaces in a living platform for dialogue and exchange.By connecting women, youth, farmers, innovators, policymakers and investors and showcasing innovative national and international approaches, the exhibition aims to strengthen pathways from ideas to implementation and from innovation to scalable, investment-ready solutions, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific and technological innovation. 

Skopje, 28 April 2026 – On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, an event dedicated to the psychosocial aspects of work, stress, workers’ mental health, and the need to create healthy psychosocial working environments was held today at the Alexandar Palace Hotel in Skopje. The event was organized by the Council for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) of the Republic of North Macedonia and supported by the project “Towards a Safe and Healthy Working Environment in North Macedonia”, implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) with financial support from the European Union.The central message of the event was that safety and health at work should not be limited to physical protection alone, but must also include systematic care for mental well-being, work organisation, stress prevention, and the creation of working environments in which people can work with dignity, safety, and productivity. This topic is also in line with the broader objectives of the project, which aims to contribute to a more modern, integrated, and preventive national framework for occupational safety and health, aligned with ILO and EU standards. The event opened with welcome addresses by representatives of institutions, the European Union, the ILO, employers, trade unions, and the Occupational Safety and Health Council, who conveyed a common message that addressing modern workplace risks requires a coordinated approach, strong social dialogue, and a clear commitment to prevention. Mr. Gani Maksuti, Director of the State Labour Inspectorate, within the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, stated that “compared to the data for 2024, we have seen a decrease in fatal workplace injuries. That is 13 compared to 8 — meaning 5 fewer fatal cases. In the field of OSH, 8,922 inspections were planned for 2025, while 10,748 were carried out, representing a 20% increase.”He added that “only through a systematic approach by all relevant stakeholders can unwanted consequences, such as serious and fatal workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and work-related illnesses, be reduced to a minimum. Our commitment remains clear: a professional, transparent and efficient Inspectorate that works in the interest of the state, workers, and the lawful operation of the economy.” Mr. Alexandru Albu, Counsellor of the Delegation of the European Union to North Macedonia, said that “the European Union strongly supports North Macedonia in its efforts to build a modern culture of prevention with European standards for safety and health at work and a comprehensive approach to workers’ well-being.”“Work is not only about contracts, wages or productivity. It is about dignity, balance, respect, and mental well-being. That is why the European Union supports building a culture of prevention, where working conditions protect and empower people rather than overload them.” Prof. Dr. Jasmina Chaloska, President of the OSH Council, emphasized that “safety and health at work must not become a matter of public attention only when a tragedy happens in the workplace. They must be a constant priority and part of everyday practice. This is an area that does not tolerate delays, politicisation, or personal vanity. On the contrary, it requires an exceptionally high level of individual and collective responsibility from all actors in the system. I sincerely hope that in the future we will witness a significant reduction in such incidents, and even their complete prevention.” Mrs. Vladanka Trajkoska, President of Organization of Employers of Macedonia (OEM), stressed that employers have an important role in creating healthy organizational cultures:“Designing healthy psychosocial working environments must be seen as a process: from raising awareness to concrete measures and a systemic approach. This means open communication, stress prevention, employee support, and building an organizational culture in which mental health is a priority.” Mr. Slobodan Trendafilov, President of Confederation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM), underlined that “we must remember the dead and fight for the living. Unfortunately, in North Macedonia today it is not safe to go to work and return home — saying goodbye to your family before going to work must never be the last goodbye. Today we are discussing psychosocial risks in the workplace, but we must not forget the psychosocial risks faced by the families who have lost a loved one due to a workplace accident. Instead of facing 72-hour working weeks that are outside all international standards, we must use collective agreements to cement the protection and dignity of the worker.” Mr. Angel Panev, Vice President of the Council for OSH at the KSS, pointed out that the issue requires the involvement of all social partners:“This day is a commemoration of all those who have lost their lives in the workplace, but also an obligation for all of us – the social partners, the profession, and the scientific community – to create conditions in which future generations will face far fewer problems in their workplaces.”Mr. Emil Krstanovski, ILO National Coordinator, called for an urgently needed transformation, stressing that:“The people who lose their lives at work or because of work are not just statistics — they are someone’s sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, parents, and spouses. We must return to the fundamental values of our society: solidarity and social justice, instead of greed and servility.”As part of the expert segment of the programme, Prof. Dr. Sasho Stoleski spoke about the psychosocial aspects of work, emphasizing the importance of preventing psychosocial risks through appropriate work design and work organization. He highlighted the shared responsibility of employers, employees, and occupational medicine in building a culture of open communication, trust, and psychological safety, with the aim of reducing burnout and fostering a productive working environment.This was followed by Prof. Dr. Dragan Mijakoski, who addressed stress and workers’ mental health in the context of the European Research Area, stressing the key role of European networks, such as COST Actions, in shaping evidence-based intervention strategies. He noted that these issues require a multi-layered approach that combines scientific research and practical solutions, with particular focus on emerging challenges such as the impact of climate change on employees’ well-being. The programme continued with online contributions by international ILO experts. Mrs. Claire Harrasty, Director, ILO Office for Central and Eastern Europe, Budapest, and Mr. Joaquim Núñez Pintado, Head of the Occupational Safety and Health Sector, ILO Geneva, provided introductory reflections on the importance of the topic at global level, while Mr. Manal Azi, Expert on Security Policies and Systems, ILO Geneva, spoke about the psychosocial work environment: global trends and directions for action, with a particular focus on the need for policies that place prevention at the centre. A particularly important part of the programme was the presentation “Why is a psychosocial work environment important? Experience from Norway”, in which Caroline Grodal, Senior Advisor, Department of Knowledge and Legislation, Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority, shared practical experiences and approaches on how institutions and workplace organisations can systematically identify and manage psychosocial risks. This international example provided an additional perspective on how prevention can be translated into real mechanisms and policies. In the session dedicated to the project, Mr. Milan Petkovski, Project Coordinator, ILO, reflected on psychosocial issues through the prism of the project “Towards a Safe and Healthy Working Environment in North Macedonia”, underlining that although the occupational safety and health system is functioning, with 26,484 inspections carried out and 6,359 irregularities identified, the data show that the focus remains predominantly on visible, physical risks. At the same time, psychosocial risks remain insufficiently recognised and recorded, despite their direct impact on health, productivity, and organisational culture. The event concluded with an interactive workshop on “Designing Healthy Psychosocial Working Environments: From Awareness to Action”, led by Prof. Dr. Dragan Mijakoski and Prof. Dr. Sasho Stoleski. The workshop enabled a further exchange of views and experiences among participants and opened space for discussion on concrete steps that can be taken in institutions, companies, and organisations to strengthen prevention and improve mental well-being in the workplace. Today’s event sent a clear message that the future of safety and health at work depends on the ability of the system to recognise and address all risks – visible and invisible. The psychosocial work environment, mental health, and quality of working life are an important part of that picture and must be integrated into public policies, institutional practices, and the day-to-day functioning of workplaces. The project “Towards a Safe and Healthy Working Environment in North Macedonia” continues to work on strengthening the national framework for occupational safety and health through reforms, institutional strengthening, digitalization, support for social partners, and raising public awareness, with the ultimate goal of safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces for all.