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Story
26 November 2023
Speaking up for every woman and girl to feel encouraged and protected
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Press Release
16 November 2023
New “green” loan options for underserved SMEs and individuals in North Macedonia
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Speech
16 October 2023
We must not take water for granted: we must work together to manage a finite, precious resource
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The Sustainable Development Goals in North Macedonia
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in North Macedonia:
Story
26 November 2023
Speaking up for every woman and girl to feel encouraged and protected
How to switch from things we don’t talk about to things we must talk about, was the focus of the launch event for the joint 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence, that took place in Skopje today. . The Delegation of the European Union in Skopje, the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the United Nations family have once again teamed up to raise awareness about the long-lasting havoc that gender-based violence causes in our society.
Starting with the central event in Skopje with the theatre play “Things that we don’t talk about”, other events will be also organized throughout the country in the next 16 days, including theatre plays, community discussions, concerts, exhibitions, and panel discussions.
This year, the theme of the UNITE Campaign is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”, because every effort invested in preventing violence against women is a step forward to a safer, more equal, and prosperous world.
“We are here to encourage victims and those who witness gender-based violence to report it – and tell them: the law is on your side”, says Ben Nupnau, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Skopje.
A key approach in the campaign is to create a uniting platform so that everyone who can identify with the cause can join and help spread the word about the need to end violence against women and girls.
“We as the Mission, work hard on supporting legislative solutions that will provide more protection for victims of gender-based violence. Moreover, we engage in strategic efforts to strengthen the entire justice system, from first responders to prosecution and courts, with a goal to promptly and adequately respond to the needs of the victims,” says Selma Mehovic, Special Adviser to OSCE Head of Mission to Skopje
The ultimate goals of the campaign are two-fold: firstly, to create a critical mass that will act as a stimulating agent for the creation of zero tolerance policies towards any forms of violence; and secondly to raise awareness about the damage that the violence against women and girls causes on our families, on our society, and on our overall development.
“North Macedonia has largely created the legal mechanisms needed to eliminate violence against women and girls and I am extremely happy to be able to recognize that. What we need now is to speak up more. To act more. Laws are not enough, when they are only ink on paper,” said Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia. “It is our joint duty to make sure that they are being fully implemented, to make them a social norm, and part of our behaviour.”
The 16 Days of Activism is an international campaign which takes place each year, commencing on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day. This campaign is the best example how people and organization can and should join forces to deal with societal issue that don't belong in these times and in the future.
The UN family has been traditionally partnering with EU and OSCE on this campaign, but every year the number of interested international and domestic partners is growing, coming almost from all sectors of the society.
More information about the campaign can be found on the dedicated Facebook page.
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Story
16 October 2023
Celebrating World Food Day in North Macedonia: A call for urgent action on water. Leave No One Behind
World Food Day is one of the most celebrated UN days of the UN calendar, with observances held in over 150 countries worldwide. World Food Day takes place annually on 16 October and promotes awareness of hunger and action for the future of food, people, and the planet.
This year’s World Food Day has the theme “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind.” It celebrates one of the planet’s most precious resources: water, and its central role in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Water is essential to life on Earth, and it provides the foundation of our food. It covers the majority of the Earth's surface, makes up over 50 percent of our bodies, supports livelihoods, and produces our food. Indeed, agriculture accounts for 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals. But like all natural resources, fresh water is not infinite. We all need to stop taking water for granted and start improving the way we use it in our daily lives: the food we eat, and how that food is produced.
FAO encourages all international and national partners and development actors to come together for joint water action to improve the way we use water resources in our daily lives.
What can governments do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
• Prioritize water in policies and planning;
• Understand water challenges;
• Build national water roadmaps and strategies;
• Invest in capacity development and innovative solutions;
• Manage water resources in an integrated way that takes into account all uses from fisheries to forestry, agriculture and other sectors;
• Engage in the Global Dialogue on Water Tenure to shape principles for responsible governance of water resources.
What can researchers, civil society and private sector actors do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
• Foster innovation and support initiatives to produce goods with less water;
• Inform water and agriculture policies and advise decision-making processes, advocating for change, accountability and inclusion;
• Share knowledge, data and skills;
• Understand where water comes from and where it goes;
• Cut down pollution in businesses.
What can farmers do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
• Use and dispose of pesticides and fertilizers correctly;
• Manage water more efficiently, starting with regularly checking and repairing leaks or overflows and insulate the pipes for energy savings;
• Adopt sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices to improve efficiency;
• Share water-gathering duties equally between men and women, boys and girls, so all have time for other activities, including school.
What can all of us do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
• Choose fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables – they usually take less water to produce;
• Reduce your food waste. It means less water goes to waste;
• Save water. This includes using less energy, since much of it is generated using water;
• Shop sustainably;
• Don’t pollute water, and take part in clean ups if you can.
Nabil Gangi, Officer-in-Charge for the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, remarked on World Food Day that “integrated and sustainable water resources management can become the direct accelerator of at least three out of five pillars of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, namely Pillar 2 on Circular Economy, Pillar 3 on Depollution: Air, Water and Soil, and Pillar 4 and Sustainable Food Systems and Rural Areas, with the links to the remaining two pillars on Decarbonisation and Climate Resilience, and Biodiversity: Protection and Restoration of Ecosystems. This year’s World Food Day campaign looks at practical and actionable solutions to produce more food and other essential agricultural commodities with less inputs, especially less water.”
On World Food Day, reflect on the importance of water to our lives and what can be done to improve access to and management of water resources.
Links
World Food Day
World Food Day video challenge for Europe and Central Asia: ‘Embody the change – Join the wave’
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Story
10 October 2023
Sustainable forest restoration unites regional leaders in Skopje
Skopje, 6 October 2023 - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy of the Republic of North Macedonia, in partnership with the 'Hans Em' Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture, and Environmental Engineering, convened an event in Skopje, focusing on best practices and experiences in forest restoration.
This gathering falls under the FAO Technical Cooperation Project titled "Technical assistance for strengthening the national capacity of the forest service." Its primary objective is to bolster the Macedonian forest sector's role in the national economy and rural development by enhancing forest monitoring and restoration planning. During the event, leaders and experts from the Western Balkan region exchanged best practices and experiences in forest restoration while emphasizing the significance of regional cooperation in forest management.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Fatmir Bytyqi, Deputy of the Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, coordination of economic sectors and investments highlighted North Macedonia's commitment to aligning with EU forestry policies and international agreements on environmental protection. He emphasized the country’s commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG target 15.2 focusing on sustainable forest management and restoration. He mentioned the country’s participation in the UN Decade for Ecosystem Restoration and the Bonn Challenge, with North Macedonia pledging to restore and afforest 15 000 hectares of land as part of the revised National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Forestry.
"The primary objective of this event is precisely in that direction – to collectively strengthen the role of the forestry sector, advancing its contribution to the national economy through enhanced monitoring and planned forest renewal. Simultaneously, our aim is to bolster rural development and promote the natural beauty of our forests to every individual," said Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of North Macedonia Ljupco Nikolovski at the event's opening. "Forests are key to sustaining life on our planet, providing us with clean air, water, and biodiversity, while also enhancing our resilience to climate change. I am particularly encouraged by the collective commitment that I see today for the preservation of our forests and the well-being of our communities," he underlined.
Nabil Gangi, Officer-in-Charge for the FAO Regional Office, Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia and De facto Head of FAO North Macedonia, affirmed FAO's dedication to assisting countries in the sustainable management of their natural resources to improve livelihoods. ‘’We are delighted to support the Government of North Macedonia in enhancing forest monitoring capabilities and scaling up forest restoration efforts in the years ahead. Our collective aim is to advance the economic value of Macedonian forests while preserving these precious resources as an integral part of the nation's natural landscape’’ – he pointed out.
The event featured a Ministerial round table, bringing together ministers responsible for agriculture, forestry, food, and water management from North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo[1], and Montenegro. They exchanged insights on forest restoration and afforestation as strategies for addressing the regional challenges posed by climate change.
Minister Nikolovski underscored that the green transition represents a paramount priority among the five strategic imperatives of both the Ministry and the Government of North Macedonia. He stressed that afforestation stands as a pivotal objective for the successful implementation of green principles within the government's agenda. "We're actively partnering with the European Union to reform North Macedonia's forestry sector in line with European standards," said Nikolovski. He highlighted the Ministry's Program for Extended Reproduction of Forests, which directs the afforestation of barren areas, erosion-prone lands, and the recovery of fire-damaged forests. This initiative saw the successful planting of 400 000 seedlings throughout the country last year, with ambitious plans to plant an additional 1.2 million in 2023.
Vladimir Jokovich, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic System and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management of the Republic of Montenegro, emphasized Montenegro's rich forest heritage and preservation efforts. He discussed ongoing reforms for sustainable state forest management, highlighting priorities such as resilience, rural development, wood industry competitiveness, forestry profession development, burnt area restoration, and climate change adaptation.
Anila Denaj, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Albania, highlighted the undeniable impact of climate change on the nation's forests. In collaboration with the World Bank, Albania is pioneering the introduction of a Digital Platform for Climate-Smart Agriculture to help farmers towards adopting more sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, Albania is channeling its efforts into the modernization of irrigation and drainage systems while incorporating renewable energy sources to conserve and protect the environment – she explained.
Faton Peci, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development of Kosovo, underscored the importance of regional cooperation, stressing that Kosovo's government is actively working with international partners such as the European Commission, USA, FAO, Japan, Sweden, and Germany to protect and restore its forests. These collaborative efforts focus on improving forest management, preventing floods, and managing the risk of forest fires and other natural disasters.
Deputy Minister Miroslav Marinov highlighted Bulgaria's commitment to afforestation, particularly in combating soil degradation and erosion while preserving land quality and water balance. He revealed that 30 percent of Bulgaria's afforestation efforts focus on anti-erosion measures and mentioned EU-funded automated container sapling production in Bulgaria's forest nurseries. Marinov discussed Bulgaria's response to forest fire challenges through experimental afforestation and irrigation practices, as well as innovative biodiversity conservation in forestry using demonstration sites.
At the collaborative event, academia representatives from North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina delivered insightful presentations, covering a wide range of topics, including best practices in forest restoration, silviculture, and reforestation challenges. Their discussions encompassed plant material production, afforestation strategies for barren terrains, hydroseeding for land restoration, eroded area recovery, and biomass production.
Kenichi Shono, FAO forestry officer, shared a global perspective on best practices in ecosystem restoration, shedding light on management options for degraded coppice forests, as a valuable source of renewable biomass, drought-resistant roots, ecological flexibility, diverse habitats, various products and ecosystem services.
The exchange of best practices and experiences in forest restoration and management sets a promising course toward a greener and more resilient future for the Western Balkans and beyond.
[1] All references to Kosovo should be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)
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Story
25 September 2023
UN organizes Drawing Contest to celebrate Human Rights
SKOPJE |24 September 2023| Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and ahead of the upcoming UN Day (24 October 2023), the UN family in North Macedonia is organizing a Drawing Contest for children and youth, from the age of six and up to the age of 30 years.
Children and youth, from any part of the country, can be part of the 2023 Human Rights Drawing Contest. The goal of this contest is to engage the younger generation in the advocacy for Human Rights, raise their awareness about the importance of Human Rights protection and the benefits that these mechanisms bring to everyone.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it is recognized as having inspired, and paved the way for, the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, applied today on a permanent basis at global and regional levels.
When talking about Human Rights, it is our joint duty to make sure that no one’s rights are being violated and that everyone has a chance to survive, thrive and contribute to the development of our society.
With this Drawing Contest, we invite children and youth to join us and to #StandUp4HumanRights.
Applying Date: from 25th of September to 10th of October 2023
Rules: Original drawing celebrating the benefits that Human Rights bring or can bring to everyone, as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Description: The drawing should depict some of the benefits that the adoption of the Human Rights, as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can have in everyone’s life and development, while the focus is on how to further enhance those rights for the sake of us all.
Ages: The competition is open to anyone from 6 to 30 years of age.
Selection: Every artwork submitted will be displayed during the UN Day 2023 marking activities online, while the drawings of the three winners in six age groups (6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-17; 18-21; 22-30) and the main winner’s drawing will be printed out as posters. A “popularity” winner will also be selected, based on the drawing that will get most likes on our Facebook page in the posting period 11 – 18 October 2023.
UN Day Exhibition: An exhibition of the 20 drawings will be organized in the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Skopje, starting from 24 October 2023, where the winners of the Contest will be announced.
How to apply? - This is the easiest part. All you need to do is, follow UN North Macedonia Facebook page, draw your masterpiece, take a picture of it (preferably high quality in .jpg format), send it to us through Facebook messaging. You will need to include the name, surname and age of the author, a short description of the drawing and the contact information (if above 18) or the contact information of a parent/guardian (if below 18 years of age).
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Story
14 September 2023
DISCUSSION AHEAD OF THE GLOBAL SDG SUMMIT 2023 - Youth should not only participate, but take one of the leading roles on the sustainable development path
Skopje, 14 September 2023 - Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in a rapidly changing world is an impossible challenge without increased engagement of all people on the planet, especially of the youth, whose distinct perspectives and ideas can truly boost the progress towards the Agenda 2030. How to get greater youth engagement was at the focus of the discussion organised by the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia and the National Youth Council (NYCM) that was held at Youth Hub today.
In light of the Global SDG summit (18-19 September 2023, New York, USA) the main goal of this discussion was to encourage initiatives and activities among young people, that would be useful for accelerating the implementation and achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Seeking innovative ways to benefit from full integration in the decision-making processes is an important step. The discussion on accelerating sustainable development in the context of the SDG Summit 2023 showcased how youth can make important contributions.
“The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development is a shared promise by every country to secure the rights and well-being of everyone, on a healthy, thriving planet. However, this pledge is not being realized globally,” says Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia. "We now have a vital opportunity to move from rhetoric to action and break through to a better world. Achieving the SDGs also requires broader societal engagement. Civil-society and think tanks, and in particular youth must be able to strengthen their role as advocates for change and promoters of accountability. This requires not only participation, but a role in the actual decision making, especially for young people."
Dudziak highlighted the fact that we all have a responsibility to act towards a greater, greener, better future of humanity and of our planet.
“Our future lies in our hands. It also lies in the hands of today's younger generation, which will pass the torch to future generations," according to the 2030 Agenda. The role of young people in joint action to achieve the SDGs is indisputable and necessary for inputting their energy, passion, knowledge and skills “ said Filip Ivkovski, NYCM president. “One of the steps in accelerating the achievement of Agenda 2030 is the repositioning of young people and their transfer from the field of the consulted party to a new field as active participants in the overall process.”
Some 50 young people and representatives of the UN family also discussed North Macedonia's commitments and achievements related to the SDGs since 2015, highlighting areas such as health, education, gender equality, and economic growth.
The attendees raised important questions such as to what the key transitions necessary to accelerate SDGs are, how can youth support these transitions and how can UN and NYCM work together to advance sustainable development in the country.
Today’s discussion provided an opportunity to ensure shared understanding on the expectations from the upcoming Summit, as well as review the venues and ways to jointly contribute to ensuring and facilitating key transitions necessary to accelerate SDGs.
The National Youth Council is a representative body for youth organizations in North Macedonia, uniting 51 organizations, 17 youth organizations, 20 organizations for youth, one union, seven youth wings of other organizations and six associate members, promoting and advocating for the rights of the youth in the country.
Through the Joint Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-25, the UN Family in the country is working closely with the Government and all other stakeholders to advance sustainable development, including with youth.
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Press Release
16 November 2023
New “green” loan options for underserved SMEs and individuals in North Macedonia
SKOPJE| 3 November 2023| New loan options with Performance-Based Payments (PBP) will be made available to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), targeting groups of creditworthy but underserved individuals/households from North Macedonia to finance their investments in Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) solutions. This was announced at the Green Finance Facility (GFF) Product Launch event today in Skopje, where representatives from the Government of North Macedonia, the United Nations (UN) family, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and from commercial banks from the country met to mark this significant milestone in the implementation of the project.
“Considering that all countries are dealing with many challenges, such as the post-covid economic recovery, the economic and energy crisis, I believe that this project with products aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals from underserved categories is an excellent opportunity to express our strong commitment to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals“ - said Mr. Fatmir Bytyqi, the Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Economic Affairs, Coordination of the Economic Departments, and Investments in the Government of North Macedonia.
Sparkasse Banka, ProCredit Bank and Silk Road Bank are the first commercial banks that will provide sub loans to SMEs and target groups for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, while the GFF will subsidize 5-30% of the loan principal. PBP loans of this kind are now going to be made available to seven target groups of creditworthy but underserved individuals/households, including female-headed households, single parents, households with people with disabilities, Roma, employees affected by Covid-19, remittance recipients and returning migrants. The investments from both SMEs and the seven target groups of individuals/households are expected to improve and reduce energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to cleaner air in North Macedonia.
“GFF aims to bring the benefits of green transition to SMEs and groups of society who are usually the last to join and benefit from the green transition, such as single parent households, Roma, households with persons with disabilities, and recipients of remittances. I hope GFF loans will make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency easier and more affordable for small businesses and homes“ – said Ms. Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia.
The programme is aligned to and supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF) targets. It is expected to result in 70,068 MWh of annual energy savings, 80,510 tons of CO2-eq emissions avoided, and 10.7 MW in new renewable energy capacity. Furthermore, enabling access to affordable financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions will contribute to advancements towards SDGs 7 and 13.
The performance-based payment loans will be available starting from 3 November 2023, until the end of 2025 or until the GFF’s financial resources allocated for PBPs have been fully awarded to project beneficiaries. Letters of Agreement with other local partner financial institutions responsible for implementation of performance-based payment (PBP) loans in the country are expected to be signed in 2024.
The "Green Finance Facility" project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as the partner international financial institution, and it is financially supported by the Joint SDG Fund, with co-financing from the Government of North Macedonia.
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Press Release
26 July 2023
Call for Participation to Tender for “Construction of hydro meliorative objects and objects for improvement and landscaping of agricultural land in village Dabjani, Municipality of Dolneni”
The EU-funded project “Enhancing Land Consolidation in North Macedonia”, co-funded and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a public tender (Reference number: 2023/REUXD/REUTD/122655) for the provision of services for “Construction of hydro meliorative objects and objects intended for improvement and landscaping of agricultural land (gravel access/service roads) in the village Dabjani, Municipality of Dolneni’’.
Activities to be carried out as part of this tender include construction works for enhancement of the agricultural infrastructure in the land consolidation area of Dabjani. More specifically, this will involve both rehabilitation of existing gravel access/service roads and construction of new ones. Additionally, hydro meliorative interventions will be implemented to improve the drainage system, including the construction of passages over existing drainage channels using pipes and tubular culverts.
Potential bidders can be all construction companies registered in the Republic of North Macedonia, which possess at least License B for construction, issued by the Ministry of Transport and Communication of the Republic of North Macedonia.
In order to access the tender documents and submit a proposal, interested companies should first register in the United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM) portal (www.ungm.org/Vendor/Registration), as only UNGM registered companies are eligible to participate. After successful registration, companies will be able to access the tender documents and submit their proposals through the same UNGM portal (www.ungm.org/Account/Account/Login).
The deadline for submitting an electronic proposal for the tender is 21 August (Monday) 2023, no later than 13:00 hrs, CET.
Background note:
The land consolidation area of Dabjani is situated in the Municipality of Dolneni, approximately 22 km away from the city of Prilep. It is currently the largest ongoing land consolidation project in North Macedonia. The area covers 742 hectares (ha) of agricultural land, with ownership divided between 85 private landowners (435 ha) and the State (307 ha).
A Feasibility Study for Dabjani was conducted in 2019 to assess the potential for land consolidation, examining the agricultural land, landownership and legal issues, conditions of the existing agricultural infrastructure, and the level of interest among landowners to participate in the land consolidation process. The study also confirmed majority-based land consolidation approach which is applied for land consolidation in Dabjani.
After conducting the Feasibility Study, the re-allotment planning was conducted including the design of the necessary agricultural infrastructure interventions within the land consolidation area. The Re-allotment Plan was adopted in January 2022. Through the land re-allotment process supported by the EU-funded MAINLAND project, the number of land parcels in Dabjani has been significantly reduced from 602 to 127 parcels, resulting in regularly shaped parcels with an average size of 5.84 hectares, a substantial increase from the previous average of just 1.23 hectares before the land consolidation process.
In the frame of the EU-funded ‘’Enhancing Land Consolidation in North Macedonia’’ Project, Main Design was prepared for construction of hydro meliorative objects and objects intended for improvement and landscaping of agricultural land (gravel access/service roads) in the village Dabjani.
Construction permit was issued by the Municipality of Dolneni on 13 July 2023 with No. 33-970/11.
About the EU-funded ‘’Enhancing Land Consolidation in North Macedonia’’ Project
Building directly on the results of the MAINLAND project, this project aims to assist MAFWE in further enhancing land consolidation in North Macedonia by improving the national policy on land consolidation, including strategic, legal, and institutional frameworks, as well as to continue supporting the implementation of the National Land Consolidation Programme through a full-fledged implementation of land consolidation projects in two project areas, combined with construction of agricultural infrastructure. The Project budget is EUR 1.2 million, financed from the EU IPA II 2019 Assistance (EUR 1 million) and FAO contribution (EUR 0.2 million). The project will be implemented over a period of 42 months, starting from August 2022 until January 2026.
For more information related to the press release please contact:
Radmila Slavkova, FAO National Communication Specialist
tel: +389 (0)71 21 23 08
e-mail: radmila.slavkova@fao.org
This channel should not be used to obtain clarifications on issues related to the tender itself. Only channels indicated in the tender document should be used for that purpose.
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Press Release
13 July 2023
Germany and North Macedonia: UN expert welcomes efforts to repatriate, reintegrate and prosecute nationals returning from Syria and Iraq
GENEVA (13 July 2023) – A UN expert today welcomed the substantial efforts made by Germany and North Macedonia to address the complex situation of their citizens returning from conflict zones, in particular the Syrian Arab Republic, through repatriation, reintegration and prosecution.
“Countries such as Germany and North Macedonia have shown that repatriation is both practical and possible,” said Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, at the end of a 10-day visit to Germany and North Macedonia.
Ní Aoláin highlighted the dire conditions of mass arbitrary detention in the camps and prisons of North-East Syria, stressing the particularly heinous consequences for vulnerable children who remain detained without access to education, health care, security and other fundamental rights.
“I welcome Germany’s efforts to promote a vibrant and expert civil society engagement in disengagement, deradicalization and reintegration processes, demonstrating the importance of a ‘whole of society’ approach to return and providing a route to human rights compliant, holistic and non-stigmatising reintegration into society,” she said.
The Special Rapporteur noted that North Macedonia has started to develop a model of community-based reintegration based on multidisciplinary expertise, involving social workers, clinical psychologists and security actors, to meaningfully reintegrate families, especially women and children, into their communities.
The expert underlined the importance of prosecutions in accordance with the rule of law for the devastating international crimes committed by ISIL in Syria and Iraq. She welcomed the innovative and unique approach taken by Germany to address core international crimes and the country's apparent willingness to close the immense impunity gap for crimes committed by ISIL.
“I expressly call for the repatriation of men and women from both Germany and North Macedonia to ensure that the return and accountability efforts continue,” she said.
Ní Aoláin said that both countries must continue to be vigilant to ensure that countering violent extremism policies and practices related to return and reintegration are truly human rights compliant. She expressed concern that some reintegration efforts may, in practice, create rather than prevent stigma and exclusion.
“The prosecution and trial of returnees must meet international standards of due process and fairness, sentences must be proportionate and prison conditions must be adequate to ensure that returnees have an equal opportunity for rehabilitation and reintegration into society,” the UN expert said.
The Special Rapporteur welcomed the proactive approach of both Governments to this challenging legal and political issue, which provides a valuable example to other States on how to facilitate the return and reintegration of their citizens from conflict zones, including Syria.
ENDS
Ms. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin was appointed as Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism by the United Nations Human Rights Council. She took up her functions on 1 August 2017. Ms. Ní Aoláin is concurrently Regents Professor and Robina Professor of Law, Public Policy and Society at the University of Minnesota Law School and Professor of Law at the Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Her mandate covers all countries and has most recently been renewed by Human Rights Council resolution 49/10.
The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights country page: Germany and North Macedonia
For more information and media requests please contact:
Ms. Karen Reyes Tolosa (+41 76 342 3400; karen.reyestolosa@un.org)
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org).
Follow news related to the UN's independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts
Concerned about the world we live in?
Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org
Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org
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Press Release
20 February 2023
Joint work key for boosting quality of life for all people in North Macedonia
The members of the Joint Steering Committee discussed the 2022 UN annual results, the opportunities and challenges facing the country, and endorsed the 2023 Joint Workplans.
“Only with joint efforts we can protect humanity and nature, especially if we are committed to the achievement of Agenda 2030, nationally and globally. Full implementation of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is the pathway towards achieving tangible change for people in North Macedonia, resulting in better legal, more efficient and more responsible institutions and greater future for everyone”, said Fatmire Isaki, Deputy Minister of foreign Affairs.
SDCF is a key strategic document that guides the work of UN in North Macedonia and represents the UN development system’s collective offer to support the country in achieving sustainable development goals. To ensure that it reflects the interest and priorities of all people in the country, the SDCF has been developed through a participatory and consultative process, starting with the analysis of the country’s development context, strategic prioritization and its operationalization through annual workplans of UN entities and stakeholders.
“The context has evolved significantly since SDCF’s inception in 2020. COVID-19 and its immediate and long-term socio-economic impact, followed by the current energy, food security and finance crises – all shaped by the war in Ukraine – have put a significant strain on the Government to continue prioritizing reform processes and structural changes as the fiscal space has been shrinking and vulnerabilities increasing,” says Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia. “Targeted and focused expert advice and support, underpinned by the focus on leaving no one behind will remain the key pinnacle of UN work in North Macedonia in 2023 and beyond.”
The 2021-2025 UN SDCF also reflects the UN Secretary General’s plea for accelerated action to implement Agenda 2030 through a Decade of Action.
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Press Release
28 December 2022
Systematic solutions as an answer to the global food and energy crisis
Skopje, December 21, 2022. - At the conference entitled "Look further", which was held today in Skopje in the organization of the United Nations, representatives of several UN agencies together with international experts and representatives of the government discussed the key measures that the Republic of North Macedonia is taking and should take plans in the future in order to overcome the challenges in the food and energy crisis.
"The current crisis is in many ways unprecedented. However, the root causes and drivers are neither new nor surprising and reflect our inability to prioritize the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Policy solutions are complex. We need to respond to the immediate needs to lift people out of poverty, but we also need to support businesses in order to save jobs, with concrete measures to ensure the best possible results with the available resources. Most importantly, policies should be systemic, sustainable and visionary to ensure that, despite the challenges, we remain strongly focused on sustainable growth and development. That requires timely and accurate data, cooperation and coordination," said the UN Resident Coordinator, Rossana Dudziak, at the opening of the conference.
During the panel, the Vice Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Fatmir Bytyqi, emphasized that the problems should be solved systematically. "If they are not solved systematically, the problems increase. For example, we have been talking about digitization for years, but it was only superficial and not essential. Digitization requires a fundamental change in the behavior of stakeholders and citizens. We have not entered any segment to solve the problem in the way we should solve it", says Bytyqi. "Regarding the energy crisis, we understand that production is important, but we knew that we are 35 percent dependent on energy imports. It was nice because the price was good. As soon as a crisis comes, everyone asks why the problem is not solved. That problem is not solved overnight. The problem is again systemic. It should have started to be solved 10 years ago, and that in the field of alternative energies. Green energy. We are now trying to get old timers back into traffic with little intervention. But that is not a solution. The solution is green energy, a transition to green energy," added the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
The deputy representative of UNICEF, Artur Ayvazov, pointed out that shocks from price growth disproportionately affect households with more children and poorer families, due to their lower incomes and the greater share of food and energy consumption in their household budgets. Rising food prices leave these families with very little means to meet other basic needs. Ayvazov indicated that the Government should consider additional measures to reduce the burden on children and other vulnerable groups, including by expanding the access and volume of existing cash transfers and to ensure that the budget crisis does not disrupt basic health care services. , social protection and education.
Addressing the conference, the Deputy Regional Representative of FAO for Europe and Central Asia, Nabil Gangi, emphasized that from a long-term perspective, it is important to consider the structural causes of the food crisis, and in order to have a better approach to solving this problem, distinguishes between issues affecting access to food and issues affecting food availability. In terms of access to food, the situation is multidimensional and reflects the complex interrelationship between food, energy and financial crises. According to Gangi, addressing food security challenges caused by current crises requires an "agri-food systems" approach, which FAO promotes to act outside the usual sectoral frameworks. It is a systematic combination of policies, investments and solutions focused on sustainable improvements in productivity and efficiency, greater resilience and ensuring enough healthy food for all.
"Empirical research shows that a well-developed financial system can increase growth by up to 1 percent, and more importantly, reduce poverty. Financial systems contribute to encouraging savings and channeling them into investments, which are important for increasing the volume of capital and productivity, which in turn are the main determinants of long-term growth," said the Governor of National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia, Anita Angelovska - Bezhoska. "The importance of finance is especially great in these crisis circumstances that emphasize structural weaknesses and the need for a green and digital transformation of the economy. It is positive for us that credit support for green transformation is growing, i.e. loans for this purpose in the past three years have recorded an increase of 80%", says Angelovska - Bezhoska.
According to the Permanent Representative of the UNDP, Armen Grigoryan, the crisis will probably continue in 2023 and it is difficult to predict in which direction things will develop. "UNDP and other UN agencies in the country, together with other development partners, are here to support institutions and citizens and contribute to public dialogue and consensus building around specific policies and other measures that will contribute to addressing current development challenges and the impact of the global crisis. However, we now have a better understanding of the vulnerabilities and root causes of the crisis, internal and external factors, and propose systemic pathways in response to the crisis. One of the things that should be paid attention to is the gray economy, which, according to research, amounts to somewhere around 35 percent entering the system, to pay taxes. The second thing is the encouragement of small and medium-sized enterprises and regional cooperation," Grigoryan said.
The Minister of Finance, Fatmir Besimi, emphasized that the past three years, which have been marked by crisis, have moved the mid-term framework of the planned fiscal targets, aimed at the consolidation of public finances and their long-term sustainability. "But at the same time, the policy makers give us the opportunity and show us where in the system we need changes. That's why we think it's good to implement the reform agenda in crisis episodes."
He added that this year, contrary to expectations, was not a year suitable for fiscal consolidation, and there was a need for measures to support citizens, the economy and for greater production of electricity from domestic capacities to deal with the energy and price crisis.
"In these conditions, the Government successfully resorted to rationalization of the expenditure side of the Budget, with which the achieved deficit is largely kept within the framework of the fiscal targets, which by 2027 should be reduced to 2.8% of the GDP budget deficit and public debt below 60%", said Besimi.
The goal of the United Nations agencies, UNDP, FAO and UNICEF, together with national and international partners, is to find sustainable and long-term solutions that will respond to the needs of vulnerable groups and at the same time support growth and development, in conditions of high inflation. and modest financial resources.
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