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27 July 2022
UNFPA launched the campaign “There is help for life without violence”
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Story
20 July 2022
Regional Forum “The Virtual is Real: Strengthening legislative frameworks in support of bodily autonomy”
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Speech
06 July 2022
Adding sustainability to every niche of our society
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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
27 July 2022
UNFPA launched the campaign “There is help for life without violence”
The campaign “There is help for life without violence”, which will promote the services that will be made available to women and girls victims of domestic and gender-based violence, was launched on 18 July by meeting the residents of the Šuto Orizari municipality, the first in a series of events that will be held in the local community over the next period.
This campaign is conducted as part of the project “Prevention and Protection against Gender-based Violence in North Macedonia” which is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund – UNFPA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and financially supported by the British Embassy in Skopje.
The Šuto Orizari event gathered the representatives from the local community institutions – the Social Work Centre, the Ministry of Interior, and the non-governmental sector, who presented the services, shared the experiences and encouraged those attending to report the domestic violence.
“As a social worker, I have noticed that there existed invisible walls that need to be pulled down so as to get out of the darkness of the domestic violence. For starters, we can destroy those walls by conversation – with our sisters, friends, neighbours”, said in her address Jasmina Zeḱir, a social worker from the Šuto Orizari Social Work Centre.
Risto Joanovski spoke next, the chief inspector in the Internal Affairs Sector of the local police station, who pointed “Should you witness violence or experience violence yourself, the police are there for you. Report it, and we will act on it.”
In addition to events organised in the local community, the campaign will also include promotion of video materials on the social media as well as on the national TV media, cooperation with prominent figures in the community, organisation of meetings with religious leaders and other communication activities.
The aim of the Project is to support the Government and corresponding institutions in developing and implementing an integrated policy against gender-based violence in compliance with the Istanbul Convention principles.
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Story
20 July 2022
Regional Forum “The Virtual is Real: Strengthening legislative frameworks in support of bodily autonomy”
Skopje, 20 June 2022 - Regional Forum “The Virtual is Real: Strengthening legislative frameworks in support of Bodily Autonomy” where speakers from the Western Balkans region and beyond discussed the current situation and legal framework on cyber violence, was held on the 20 th of June, in Skopje, North Macedonia.
The Forum, organized by the UNFPA Country Offices in the region, strengthened regional partnerships through crafting consistent and effective legal measures and has raised awareness to combat digital violence and gender-based violence in general. Speakers from the Balkans and beyond, and Mr. Arthur Erken, Director at Policy and Strategy Division in UNFPA, who opened the Forum, discussed a widespread form of violation of bodily autonomy and human rights.
Mr. Arthur Erken, Director at Policy and Strategy Division at UNFPA addressing the Forum in Skopje. Photo: UNFPA North Macedonia
“Digital violence is violence. It affects the lives of millions of women and girls. Now's the time to join efforts to protect everyone's bodily autonomy, online or offline”, said Mr. Erken in the opening words, adding that globally 85% of women report witnessing online, and 40% personally were victims of such violence.
Officials and NGO representatives from the region also addressed the Forum emphasizing that it is necessary to clearly define virtual violence in the legal frameworks and that effective legal measures and raising awareness of the fight against digital violence and gender-based violence are essential.
The event is part of the Bodyright campaign launched by the UNFPA as a global call to action to disrupt violence against women and girls in virtual spaces. Bodyright is a social movement created to hold technology companies, policymakers, and other leaders to account because they have the power to curb online abuse.
The event was broadcasted live on the UNFPA North Macedonia youtube channel on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j2sqjyspV8
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Story
30 June 2022
North Macedonia develops country's first National Food Security Strategy
Setting the basis for developing an integrated whole-of-government National Food Security Strategy in North Macedonia will be the focus of a new FAO project.
The project was launched today through an event in Skopje, organized by FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy in partnership with the Rural Development Network of North Macedonia.
In his opening remarks, Ljupco Nikolovski, North Macedonia’s Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, noted that “at this time of global change, it is essential to ensure access to a safe, stable, affordable, and nutritious supply of food for everyone in North Macedonia” and “the Ministry of Agriculture is committed to support the whole process of National Food Security Strategy development, working with FAO, the Rural Development Network, the relevant government institutions, and other partners to reach this goal.”
‘’Facing the challenges exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war to the domestic food security, the Ministry and the government have recognized the importance of having a National Food Security and Nutrition Strategy as a long-term roadmap of national priorities, actions, and resources needed to promote the country’s agricultural production, enhance food availability, and improve the affordability of healthy diets for all people in North Macedonia, as well as making food systems sustainable and resilient to future crisis, which may affect the national food security’’ – the Minister added.
Overall, the project aims to address the identified lack of food security strategic framework in North Macedonia by helping the Government to prepare the relevant background documents, studies, and analysis needed for development of the country’s first National Food Security Strategy. The project, carried out as part of FAO’s Regional Initiative on transforming food systems and facilitating market access and integration, is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences continue to destabilize food markets and expose weaknesses in our food systems. The ongoing war in Ukraine has further compromised global food security, threatening the lives and livelihoods of people around the world, including in North Macedonia.
Food supply chains, both domestic and international, have been disrupted and are continuing to affect global grain, fertilizer, and energy prices. International food prices have risen to new heights, compounding the already heavy burden on global food security. In addition, the growing frequency and intensity of extreme climate events are continuing to be a major disrupter of supply chains and major driver of food insecurity.
At the project's launch, Cheng Fang, economist from FAO’s Regional office for Europe and the lead technical officer for the project, highlighted that “there is a clear need to secure a future-oriented perspective on food security for the Macedonian people, in the context of major global and regional challenges to food security, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war.” He also thanked the Macedonian Government for giving a priority to the issue of food security in these critical times. “FAO, with its strengths and extensive expertise in sustainable development, is well positioned to support North Macedonia in capitalizing on agriculture as the most inclusive tool to ensure food security for all,” he added.
More specifically, in close cooperation with the Rural Development Network of North Macedonia, through a consultative and participatory process, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy will conduct the necessary collection of national food security and nutrition data, as well as a detailed analysis of relevant national policies, that will serve as the basis for outlining the future Food Security and Nutrition Strategy.
In addition, an institutional survey will be conducted for developing a proposal to establish a dedicated and permanent inter-institutional national coordination mechanism as a major state body involving all concerned ministries and national agencies to be responsible for the strategic oversight of national food security and nutrition strategy, legislation, policies, and programmes.
LINKS
New FAO–North Macedonia agreement for a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient rural economy
https://www.fao.org/europe/news/detail-news/en/c/1506768/
Mainstreaming the National Land Consolidation Programme
https://www.fao.org/in-action/mainstreaming-national-land-consolidation-programme/en/
Transforming food systems and facilitating market access and integration
https://www.fao.org/europe/regional-initiatives/foodsystemsandmarkets/en/
In rural North Macedonia, FAO helps improve sustainable and resilient development
https://www.fao.org/europe/news/detail-news/en/c/1472589/
Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger
http://www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/goals/goal-2/en/
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Story
22 June 2022
United Nations launched the joint programme to address the inequality and exclusion of persons with disabilities
The United Nations launched the joint programme “From Knowledge and Engagement - to Empowerment and Participation” to enhance the capacity of the organizations of people with disabilities, government, service providers and the UN agencies to jointly contribute to the successful implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The programme also aims to facilitate greater disability inclusion in national development and humanitarian plans, budgets, policies and monitoring processes.
The joint UN approach was developed based on the new evidence and key recommendations from the Situational Analysis of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Republic of North Macedonia which were presented today.
“The United Nations Country Team is a strong supporter of the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and its monitoring, which are central for the country’s inclusive and sustainable development,” said Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia.” We will work to reduce the inequality and exclusion of persons with disabilities by supporting organizations of persons with disabilities and CSOs representing the most marginalised groups to advocate for their participation in national policy making and development and local-level decision-making processes. We also support their engagement in CRPD and Sustainable Development Goals monitoring.”
Funded by the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UNPRPD MPTF), this joint programme is a unique collaboration that brings together UN entities, governments, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and broader civil society to advance the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and disability inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It will be implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with overall coordination of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.
“Regarding the strategic commitments, I would like to announce that in addition to the Deinstitutionalization Strategy which is being successfully implemented, the Government of North Macedonia, together with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, has already started developing a new National Disability Strategy in collaboration with all relevant ministries, but also civil society organizations and the persons with disabilities themselves, respecting the principle "nothing for us without us, " said Jovana Trencevska, the Minister of Labour and Social Policy.
She highlighted that the situation analysis will certainly give the country a roadmap for future policies and the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and added: “I am convinced that all of us here, with joint efforts, will build and contribute to the idea of a society for all, and especially for children and people with disabilities in which everyone will realize their potential and will be an equal member of our society.”
“Great progress has been made in the inclusion of children with disabilities in schools, but there is still much work to be done. Something I am especially proud of is the increase in the number of students with disabilities in primary schools to 4.5% compared to the 2019/2020 school year, but more can be achieved. With every new child with a disability enrolling in mainstream schools we break the stereotypes. They, like everyone else, can have an independent life,” said Jeton Shaqiri, Minister of Education and Science.
The analysis found that persons with disabilities are largely unaware of the national progress on both the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, their representative organisations are generally excluded from decision-making processes that do not directly affect their constituencies. The lack of understanding, information and training among duty bearers, coupled with a one-size-fits-all service delivery model are key impediments for most persons with disabilities to realize their rights under the CRPD.
Using the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) lens, the situation analysis identified the main bottlenecks and challenges preventing persons with disabilities to enjoy their fundamental human rights.
To overcome these challenges the analysis recommends: promoting a social model of disability assessment versus the predominance of the medical approach, promotion of the CRPD at all societal levels to change societal perceptions and attitudes towards disability, and improving access to public spaces, infrastructure, information and services. It further highlights the importance of inclusion of people with disabilities in secondary and higher education, enabling independent living of persons with disabilities through systemic changes, and consistent, comparable and disaggregated statistics on persons with disabilities.
The UN family in North Macedonia will use the Joint Programme to strengthen the efforts on enhancing the rights, equal opportunities and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all areas of its work - both internally and jointly with its partners. The multi-stakeholder interventions planned under the joint programme will be used as a catalyst to expedite the much-needed systemic reforms in national and local planning and monitoring processes.
This joint programme is possible thanks to the contributions to the UNPRPD Fund by the governments Australia, Cyprus, Finland, Israel, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.
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Story
15 June 2022
Green Climate Fund Country Programme and call for private sector climate action, lay the foundations of transformative climate finance in North Macedonia
North Macedonia concluded today its Second Green Climate Fund (GCF) readiness project laying the foundation for country-driven climate action in the future. The closing event was organized by FAO and the Cabinet of the Deputy President of the Government in charge of economic affairs, in its capacity as GCF National Designated Authority for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), in Skopje.
The Green Climate Fund is an important partner of North Macedonia in accessing climate finance for the achievement of climate action targets under the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals, and attain its climate obligations in view of the European Union pre-accession process.
Building on the results of the First GCF Readiness project completed in 2019, under the Second project, the Government and FAO worked together on further strengthening the knowledge and capacity of the National Designated Authority and relevant partners on accessing the Green Climate Fund.
FAO supported the Government to develop and submit its first GCF Country Work Programme, addressing key climate change priorities in priority sectors – energy, transport, water resources, agriculture, waste, biodiversity, health, forestry, and cultural heritage – and scoping potential investments that could be translated into full-funding projects for the GCF, aligned with national development and climate priorities, as well as the SDGs and GCF investment criteria.
Deputy President of the Government, in charge of economic affairs Fatmir Bytyqi highlighted the benefits of the project, including the finalization of the first national GCF Country Work Programme with specific priorities and detailed project ideas in the identified priority sectors, which will be implemented “as part of North Macedonia's efforts to tackle climate change.”
He stressed the importance of the accreditation process to the Green Climate Fund, adding that the Macedonian Fund for Innovation and Technology Development will be the first accredited institution to the Green Climate Fund in the Western Balkans with direct access to the GCF.
“We are glad to have delivered a long-lasting impact beyond the project’s lifespan, by leveraging the extensive expertise of FAO, as Green Climate Fund accredited entity, supporting North Macedonia scale-up its capacity to mobilize GCF climate finance for country-driven, climate change mitigation and adaptation action,” said Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and De facto Head of FAO North Macedonia.
Recognizing the pivotal role of the private sector in low-emission and climate-resilient development, through this second readiness project, the Government and FAO put particular emphasis on unlocking the potential of local private companies in climate investments, through educating them on climate change issues, climate finance, and the use of technologies and innovation for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
To support private entities learn more on the crucial terminology, concepts, experiences, and opportunities to engage with climate action and climate investment, FAO developed the first of its kind, online toolkit for private sector engagement in climate action.
A major step to enhance the private sector engagement in climate action and investments has been the recent decision of North Macedonia’s Government, dated 12 April 2022, for nominating the Fund of Innovation and Technology Development of North Macedonia to be the first national entity to initiate the GCF accreditation process. As a National Direct Access Entity, FITD will be side by side with International Access Entities to the GCF, such as United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, international financial institutions. Through the FITD, the country can access the Green Climate Fund directly, exercising full country ownership of climate change funding and better integrating it with its national climate action plans.
In this context, the Deputy President of the Government, in charge of economic affairs and the Director of the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation today, to anchor the future partnership on climate action with the private sector. As a first step, they launched their first joint Public Call entitled "Climate Change Challenge 2022’’, inviting all interested private companies to submit project ideas that propose development or use of innovative climate-friendly, clean technologies that can contribute to climate change mitigation or adaptation in the country priority sectors.
Festim Halili, Director of the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development noted that this is real example of project sustainability immediate action. “In addition to the Government’s targeted policies and incentives to achieve climate change and green growth ambitions, we are providing the private sector a unique opportunity to deliver the investments needed to spur innovation and drive climate action across sectors’’, he added.
LINKS
North Macedonia receives continued support for “greening”
www.fao.org/europe/news/detail-news/en/c/1297262/#:~:text=North%20Macedonia%20receives%20continued%20support%20for%20%E2%80%9Cgreening%E2%80%9D%20The,more%20prepared%20for%20the%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change
North Macedonia sets the stage for country climate action
www.fao.org/europe/news/detail-news/en/c/1242813/
North Macedonia, FAO work to ease Green Climate Fund investments
www.fao.org/europe/news/detail-news/en/c/1201575/
North Macedonia and the Green Climate Fund webpage
www.greendevelopment.mk/
Toolkit for Private Sector Engagement in Climate Action
www.greendevelopment.mk/en/toolKit2.aspx
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Press Release
09 June 2022
The United Nations in North Macedonia launches 2021 Annual Results Report
"SDGs are not just an additional plan for the world but are a shared vision and therefore we must embrace their transformation and implementation. In order to achieve the 2030 Agenda, North Macedonia remains fully committed to the development of institutions and partnerships that will enable sustainability for present and future generations", underlined the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani.
The report focuses on the results that have been achieved and the lessons learned during 2021, the first year of implementation of the joint UN-Government 2021-2025 Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (SDCF).
“COVID-19 crisis reminded the whole world that we are all interconnected and that we need to work together towards sustainable development and that no one is left behind”, says Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia. “This report showcases how working together can contribute to achieving better results with our collective efforts.”
Following the priorities identified in the 2021-2025 SDCF, the report records progress in the areas of inclusive prosperity, quality services for all, healthy environment, and good governance.
Among many others, some of the results highlighted in the report are the 6,822 new jobs for young people that were created, more than 500 companies that received advisory and digitalized services, the consolidation of 1,078 hectares of agricultural land, the economic revival, and the return to in-person education. Also, the employment picked up, especially for women, who suffered the most during the pandemic, but less so for youth, which remains of concern.
A total of 24 UN entities worked closely with over 130 partners in North Macedonia and their work is aligned with the country’s national development and strategic priorities, its international human rights and gender equality obligations, as well as commitments towards achieving Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Online version of the report is available in three languages, English, Macedonian and Albanian at the following link.
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Press Release
29 April 2022
New FAO–North Macedonia programming framework for a more competitive, sustainable, and resilient rural economy
Priorities of FAO’s new CPF for North Macedonia (2021–2025) are consistent with the priorities of the Government, the country's Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development 2021–2027, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021–2025, with a view to facilitate food system transformation and progressive alignment of agriculture and the rural economy with European Union (EU) standards and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The accord was signed by Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative, and Ljupco Nikolovski, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of North Macedonia during their meeting today with FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.
“This framework is a continuation of the long-standing partnership between FAO and North Macedonia and our joint efforts to advance agricultural development, empower smallholders and family farms, and invest in a sustainable and food-secure future of Macedonian people,” said Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative.
"We are ready to continue the activities and the excellent cooperation with FAO through which the Ministry, the Government and the citizens of our country see the benefits directly on the ground. I will only mention the success we have achieved with the ongoing agricultural land consolidation projects under the National Land Consolidation Programme, through which we achieved historic progress in improving the structure of agricultural land, which has ultimately contributed to reducing costs and increasing farmers’ incomes. The cooperation with FAO is abundant, there are many joint projects that are of great interest to the country," said Minister Nikolovski.
Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the Macedonian economy and a critical employer in rural areas, accounting for 12 percent of the gross domestic product and some 22 percent of total employment. Still, the sector’s development is hampered by many challenges, including, but not limited to, agricultural land fragmentation, limited access to productive assets (such as infrastructure, land, water, energy, knowledge, and financial services), weak value chains, and high vulnerability to climate change.
Having this in mind, FAO is ready to support North Macedonia in two main areas; building a stronger rural economy aligned with the EU standards, with focus on small farms and women farmers, and enhancing climate action, natural resources, and disaster risk management.
More specifically, FAO will support the Government of North Macedonia in formulating effective policies and enabling investments for rural transformation, improving agricultural land structures and land market mobility, modernizing production, strengthening value chains, and ensuring climate-smart, resilient agriculture.
Support to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy will continue to implement the ongoing land consolidation projects under the National Land Consolidation Programme and further scale up the programme at national level, as well as other land market instruments.
Through knowledge sharing and other means, FAO will help the Ministry and other relevant partners in formulating policy measures for improved advisory, veterinary, and phytosanitary services, as well as in the European Union approximation efforts in the areas of animal health management and food safety and quality, to meet the national needs and global challenges in the food value chain.
Under the second priority of the programme, FAO will support the country’s climate action efforts. This includes sustainable management of natural resources (land, water, forestry, and biodiversity), building climate resilience of agricultural production, and reducing disaster risks in agriculture. Boosting the climate resilience of smallholder farmers in many ways – including more efficient input use, high-quality data for decision-making, climate-smart agriculture, and expansion of irrigation systems – will be a key area in this regard.
‘’Achieving these results is possible with strong Government commitment and support from resource partners as well as with FAO’s contribution through its Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). The technical assistance provided through TCP projects plays an important role in addressing the critical technical gaps of the Government, but also in having a catalytic effect for a sustainable impact and further investments towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the CPF’’, says Goran Stavrik, FAO Programme Officer (TCP). North Macedonia relies on FAO’s global experience and know-how as an accredited entity to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund (AF), and Global Environment Facility (GEF) in accessing environmental climate finance to support the country's national climate change adaptation and mitigation priorities while also meeting the country's global climate commitments.
LINKS
In rural North Macedonia, FAO helps improve sustainable and resilient development
Enhancing rice production in North Macedonia through land consolidation
Young Macedonian artist wins World Food Day poster contest honoring food heroes
Land consolidation is the missing link for farmers in North Macedonia
North Macedonia receives continued support for “greening”
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Press Release
28 March 2022
Working jointly is the fastest way to improve health services for all
Representatives of the UN family, health workers and representatives and of many national partners involved gathered to discuss lessons learned from the Joint Programme, which was implemented by three UN agencies, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO, in coordination with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and funded by the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.,
Participants of the event also discussed how to reach groups that may have been left behind in health services, improve preventive care in remote and underserved areas, how to strengthen immunisation, utilize digitalisation to ensure accessibility of the health services for all.
“This programme was established to enable fast and innovative response to emerging needs stemming out of COVID-19 and we are happy to be among very few in the world that managed to get funding from the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund”, says Patrizia DiGiovanni, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim. “The program enabled free life-saving services for the people, particularly women and girls, living in underserved areas to whom provision of such services was disrupted or postponed due to COVID 19 pandemic and it should serve as a model for many future activities and investments in the health sector, aiming not only to save life, but to increase quality of life and improve outcomes for all people in the country.”
“Safe and Innovative Health Services in Times of COVID-19 in North Macedonia” is a joint programme that helped the government improve essential health services within the context of COVID-19 by building on the significant investments already made to strengthen the national health and social systems, contain disease outbreaks, and ensure health responses to various emergencies.
The programme has introduced several innovative health services, such as the mobile gynaecological clinics visits to remote areas, including e-immunisation registry that aims to improve data collection and the calculation of immunization coverage rates, and risk communication to immunization-sceptic populations as well as awareness raising among women and girls of sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence. These improved services address the significant decrease in their provision since the outbreak of COVID-19 and enable more efficient real time collection of policy relevant data on immunization while also contributing to greater professional and public support for vaccination.
The programme targets vulnerable women, adolescent girls and children, particularly those living in remote areas of the country, who would benefit from sexual and reproductive health services, immunization and psycho-social support. The implementation of the programme started in January 2021 and ends now at the end of March 2022, with a budget of $850,000.
The programme is jointly implemented by three UN agencies in close partnership with key national partners including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, e-Health Directorate, Association of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, Committee on Safe Motherhood and Healthy New-borns, Macedonian Medical Association, Macedonian Association of Nurses and Midwives, University Clinic of Psychiatry and civil society organizations.
This joint programme is made possible thanks to the contributions to the UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund by the governments of Norway, Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Republic of Korea, Finland, Austria, United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand, United States of America, Iceland, Croatia, Portugal, Thailand, Slovak Republic, Romania, Cambodia, Cyprus and Philippines.
More info at:
https://northmacedonia.un.org/en/170196-safe-and-innovative-health-services-times-covid-19
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Press Release
14 March 2022
New Scenarios on Global Food Security based on Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Supply chain and logistical disruptions on Ukrainian and Russian grain and oilseed production and restrictions on Russia’s exports will have significant food security repercussions. This is especially true for some fifty countries that depend on Russia and Ukraine for 30% or more of their wheat supply. Many of them are least developed countries or low-income, food-deficit countries in Northern Africa, Asia and the Near East. Many European and Central Asian countries rely on Russia for over 50% of their fertilizer supply, and shortages there could extend to next year.
Food prices, already on the rise since the second half of 2020, reached an all-time high in February 2022 due to high demand, input and transportation costs, and port disruptions. Global prices of wheat and barley, for example, rose 31% over the course of 2021. Rapeseed oil and sunflower oil prices rose more than 60%. High demand and volatile natural gas prices have also driven up fertilizer costs. For instance, the price of urea, a key nitrogen fertilizer, has increased more than threefold in the past 12 months.
The conflict’s intensity and duration remain uncertain. The likely disruptions to agricultural activities of these two major exporters of staple commodities could seriously escalate food insecurity globally, when international food and input prices are already high and volatile. The conflict could also constrain agricultural production and purchasing power in Ukraine, leading to increased food insecurity locally.
Core Risk Factors Identified
Cereal crops will be ready for harvest in June. Whether farmers in Ukraine would be able to harvest them and deliver to the market is unclear. Massive population displacement has reduced the number of agricultural laborers and workers. Accessing agricultural fields would be difficult. Rearing livestock and poultry and producing fruits and vegetables would be constrained as well.
The Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea have shuttered. Even if inland transportation infrastructure remains intact, shipping grain by rail would be impossible because of a lack of an operational railway system. Vessels can still transit through the Turkish Straits, a critical trade juncture through which a large amount of wheat and maize shipments pass. Rising insurance premiums for the Black Sea region would exacerbate the already high costs of shipping, compounding the costs of food imports. And, whether storage and processing facilities would remain intact and staffed is also still unclear.
The Russian ports on the Black Sea are open for now, and no major disruption to agricultural production is expected in the short term. However, the financial sanctions against Russia have caused an important depreciation which, if continued, could undermine productivity and growth and ultimately further elevate agricultural production costs.
Russia is a major player in the global energy market, accounting for 18% of global coal exports, 11% of oil, and 10% of gas. Agriculture requires energy through fuel, gas, electricity use, as well as fertilizers, pesticides, and lubricants. Manufacturing feed ingredients and feedstuffs also require energy. The current conflict has caused energy prices to surge, with negative consequences on the agriculture sector.
Wheat is a staple food for over 35% of the world's population, and the current conflict could result in a sudden and steep reduction in wheat exports from both Russia and Ukraine. It is still unclear whether other exporters would be able to fill this gap. Wheat inventories are already running low in Canada, and exports from the United States, Argentina and other countries are likely to be limited as government will try to ensure domestic supply.
Countries reliant on wheat imports are likely to ramp up levels, adding further pressure on global supplies. Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Iran are the top global wheat importers, buying more than 60% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, and all of them have outstanding imports. Lebanon, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya, and Pakistan also rely heavily on the two countries for their wheat supply. Global maize trade is likely to shrink due to expectations that the export loss from Ukraine will not be filled by other exporters and because of high prices.
Export prospects for sunflower oil and other alternative oils also remain uncertain. Major sunflower oil importers, including India, the European Union, China, Iran, and Turkey, must find other suppliers or other vegetable oils, which could have a spill-over effect on palm, soy, and rapeseed oils, for example.
Policy Recommendations
1. Keep global food and fertilizer trade open. Every effort should be made to protect the production and marketing activities needed to meet domestic and global demands. Supply chains should keep moving, which means protecting standing crops, livestock, food processing infrastructure, and all logistical systems.
2. Find new and more diverse food suppliers. Countries dependent on food imports from Russia and Ukraine should look for alternative suppliers to absorb the shock. They should also rely on existing food stocks and diversify their domestic production to ensure people’s access to healthy diets.
3. Support vulnerable groups, including internally displaced people. Governments must expand social safety nets to protect vulnerable people. In Ukraine, international organizations must step in to help reach people in need. Across the globe, many more people would be pushed into poverty and hunger because of the conflict, and we must provide timely and well-targeted social protection programs to them.
4. Avoid ad hoc policy reactions. Before enacting any measures to secure food supply, governments must consider their potential effects on international markets. Reductions in import tariffs or the use of export restrictions could help to resolve individual country food security challenges in the short term, but they would drive up prices on global markets.
5. Strengthen market transparency and dialogue. More transparency and information on global market conditions can help governments and investors make informed decisions when agricultural commodity markets are volatile. Initiatives like the G-20’s Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) increases such transparency by providing objective and timely market assessments.
Food prices, already on the rise since the second half of 2020, reached an all-time high in February 2022 due to high demand, input and transportation costs, and port disruptions. Global prices of wheat and barley, for example, rose 31% over the course of 2021. Rapeseed oil and sunflower oil prices rose more than 60%. High demand and volatile natural gas prices have also driven up fertilizer costs. For instance, the price of urea, a key nitrogen fertilizer, has increased more than threefold in the past 12 months.
The conflict’s intensity and duration remain uncertain. The likely disruptions to agricultural activities of these two major exporters of staple commodities could seriously escalate food insecurity globally, when international food and input prices are already high and volatile. The conflict could also constrain agricultural production and purchasing power in Ukraine, leading to increased food insecurity locally.
Core Risk Factors Identified
Cereal crops will be ready for harvest in June. Whether farmers in Ukraine would be able to harvest them and deliver to the market is unclear. Massive population displacement has reduced the number of agricultural laborers and workers. Accessing agricultural fields would be difficult. Rearing livestock and poultry and producing fruits and vegetables would be constrained as well.
The Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea have shuttered. Even if inland transportation infrastructure remains intact, shipping grain by rail would be impossible because of a lack of an operational railway system. Vessels can still transit through the Turkish Straits, a critical trade juncture through which a large amount of wheat and maize shipments pass. Rising insurance premiums for the Black Sea region would exacerbate the already high costs of shipping, compounding the costs of food imports. And, whether storage and processing facilities would remain intact and staffed is also still unclear.
The Russian ports on the Black Sea are open for now, and no major disruption to agricultural production is expected in the short term. However, the financial sanctions against Russia have caused an important depreciation which, if continued, could undermine productivity and growth and ultimately further elevate agricultural production costs.
Russia is a major player in the global energy market, accounting for 18% of global coal exports, 11% of oil, and 10% of gas. Agriculture requires energy through fuel, gas, electricity use, as well as fertilizers, pesticides, and lubricants. Manufacturing feed ingredients and feedstuffs also require energy. The current conflict has caused energy prices to surge, with negative consequences on the agriculture sector.
Wheat is a staple food for over 35% of the world's population, and the current conflict could result in a sudden and steep reduction in wheat exports from both Russia and Ukraine. It is still unclear whether other exporters would be able to fill this gap. Wheat inventories are already running low in Canada, and exports from the United States, Argentina and other countries are likely to be limited as government will try to ensure domestic supply.
Countries reliant on wheat imports are likely to ramp up levels, adding further pressure on global supplies. Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh, and Iran are the top global wheat importers, buying more than 60% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, and all of them have outstanding imports. Lebanon, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya, and Pakistan also rely heavily on the two countries for their wheat supply. Global maize trade is likely to shrink due to expectations that the export loss from Ukraine will not be filled by other exporters and because of high prices.
Export prospects for sunflower oil and other alternative oils also remain uncertain. Major sunflower oil importers, including India, the European Union, China, Iran, and Turkey, must find other suppliers or other vegetable oils, which could have a spill-over effect on palm, soy, and rapeseed oils, for example.
Policy Recommendations
1. Keep global food and fertilizer trade open. Every effort should be made to protect the production and marketing activities needed to meet domestic and global demands. Supply chains should keep moving, which means protecting standing crops, livestock, food processing infrastructure, and all logistical systems.
2. Find new and more diverse food suppliers. Countries dependent on food imports from Russia and Ukraine should look for alternative suppliers to absorb the shock. They should also rely on existing food stocks and diversify their domestic production to ensure people’s access to healthy diets.
3. Support vulnerable groups, including internally displaced people. Governments must expand social safety nets to protect vulnerable people. In Ukraine, international organizations must step in to help reach people in need. Across the globe, many more people would be pushed into poverty and hunger because of the conflict, and we must provide timely and well-targeted social protection programs to them.
4. Avoid ad hoc policy reactions. Before enacting any measures to secure food supply, governments must consider their potential effects on international markets. Reductions in import tariffs or the use of export restrictions could help to resolve individual country food security challenges in the short term, but they would drive up prices on global markets.
5. Strengthen market transparency and dialogue. More transparency and information on global market conditions can help governments and investors make informed decisions when agricultural commodity markets are volatile. Initiatives like the G-20’s Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) increases such transparency by providing objective and timely market assessments.
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Press Release
03 March 2022
Fostering greater exchange to enhance inclusion of people with disabilities at the focus of the Regional Conference
Representatives of national human rights institutions, persons with disabilities and their representative organizations, civil society representatives from the Western Balkan region, along with their peers from other European countries, and other organizations participated in the regional conference organized by the Ombudsman and the United Nations family in North Macedonia, yesterday.
The participants of the conference “Strengthening National Human Rights Institutions as independent monitoring mechanisms for the implementation of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)” had a unique chance to share experiences, good practices, challenges, opportunities, and initiatives on the existing monitoring frameworks.
“Societies can never achieve the Sustainable Development Goals without the full participation of everyone, including people with disabilities. Recognizing their rights and ensuring their engagement is critical. Progress has been made in the countries in the region, but a lot remains to be done to accelerate disability inclusive development,” says Rossana Dudziak, UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia. “Only through a dialogue and by working together – across governments, international and regional organizations, civil society, and the private sector – can we effectively fulfil the CRPD and Agenda 2030 commitments.”
The goal of this conference is to encourage a constructive, action-oriented dialogue on accelerating inclusive, equitable, sustainable development in the Western Balkans, guided by the international human rights standards and the 2030 Agenda’s promise to leave no one behind.
“We have a long way with a lot of challenges on it, before we can talk about full inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities, as per the Convention, which is a tool that can help us in achieving these goals. In that sense, I strongly believe that the conference will open up a lot of discussions and initiatives how to achieve the desired progress,” says Naser Ziberi, Ombudsman.
Focusing on strengthening the role and the collaboration among national human rights institutions in the region, the conference seeks to inspire and guide future action to be pursued by NHRIs, disability movements and other partners across the region.
In addition to further enhancing regional exchange, participants of the conference agreed to ensure that the good practices and lessons learned on including civil society in the monitoring process from the conference will be included into their work and future activities, and that they will continue to support the independent monitoring, and leverage on human rights agenda across the region.
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