Sustainable development must be a top priority for all, in all our actions and decisions. This is the conclusion of the event organized on the occasion of the United Nations Day in Northern Macedonia, which took place in the City Park in Skopje, which was attended by representatives of state institutions, civil society, academia and the diplomatic corps.

In his address, President Stevo Pendarovski spoke about the vision of the generation whose historic task was to rebuild the devastated world after the two world wars and through the United Nations Charter laid the foundations of a new order and expressed a shared vision for peace and security, development and human rights. rights.

– Over the past 76 years, the United Nations has prevented many conflicts, eradicated many infectious diseases, lifted millions out of poverty. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments and conventions affirm the inherent dignity of the human person. The corpus of international law has introduced greater certainty in relations between states. Despite all the successes of the United Nations, we live in a world that is still far from the dream of its founders. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed existing systemic inequalities and social injustices and further exacerbated the situation of vulnerable segments in almost every society, President Pendarovski said.

He noted that many of the climate action plans are directly related to the Sustainable Development Goals, and correspond to the European Union’s Green Agenda. The President also referred to the recently adopted Long-Term Climate Action Strategy with an action plan aimed at achieving green, low carbon and climate-resistant development and said that we look forward to the upcoming Climate Change Summit – COP26 in Glasgow. Apart from the commitment to climate action, President Pendarovski pointed out that it is crucial to have a shared vision for the development of the country.

– For that purpose, at the very beginning of my mandate, I initiated the project “MKD2030” as our, authentic strategic framework for the development of Northern Macedonia until the end of this decade. Including representatives of all segments of society, through “MKD2030” we set the fundamental long-term development priorities. I also support the National Development Strategy 2021-2041, which as a next phase should be followed by “MKD2030”. We are grateful for the support of the United Nations and other donors to implement this unique comprehensive long-term planning process. In this short time we have, we must direct our joint efforts to create a future for the youth here in Northern Macedonia, said the President.

He added that the consequences of the decisions made by our generation will be felt by future generations and that we must not make decisions for young people without their participation.

– That is why with UNICEF we started the initiative “Rethink the future” which gives space to young people to get involved in defining the vision for the future they want for themselves and future generations. It is our duty to help them be part of the policy-making and decision-making processes that affect theirs and the future of us all. To achieve that bright future, we must work in many fields at the same time. Supported by new goals and methods, through education we need today to build the citizens of tomorrow who will be more aware of economic and social inequalities, who will be seen as part of nature, but not as its masters, and who will be more productive and responsible use new digital technologies. We must educate a generation of people who will respect the dignity of differences. “I am convinced that the United Nations, as one of the most important international organizations, will have an irreplaceable role in building such a future in our country and in the world,” said President Pendarovski.

In a specially recorded video statement marking the UN Day in Northern Macedonia, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev stressed that the basic principles of the UN – peace, prosperity and equal opportunities for all are values ​​without validity for us and all future generations.

– In that sense, our strong commitment to harmonize national priorities and policies with the Sustainable Development Goals is proof of our determination to bring a longer and better life to all our citizens, said Zaev.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Northern Macedonia, Rosana Dudzak, stressed that the Sustainable Development Goals are a commitment to a better future for all of us and that they do not belong to the UN, the Government or any other organization or group of people.

– The goals for sustainable development belong to all of us. “Whether our efforts are based on Agenda 2030, the EU accession process or national priorities, we are basically working on the same platform and, ultimately, on the same goal – to accelerate sustainable development for the benefit of all,” he said. Dudzak.

She pointed out that a sustainable approach must be integrated into every domain of our conscious and unconscious actions, from the choice of food we eat, to the impact we have on friends, family, community and our planet.

– We must understand that change is possible only if we do this together. We must put aside the differences and misunderstandings of the past. We must make sure that there is no higher priority than sustainable development, she said.

Dudzak announced a multi-year open advocacy campaign called “I Care”, which aims to mobilize organizations and individuals from all segments of society to actively contribute to the common commitment to a greener, better and more sustainable future.

– As an open platform, everyone can get involved and contribute by advocating for better living standards, better and greener jobs, universal access to quality health, education and social services, ambitious action to reduce the effects of climate change, and for the protection of biodiversity. With this campaign, we want to instill the principle of sustainable development in all of us, to see the changes and the future we want, said Dudzak.

The celebration of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations is organized by the Office of the Permanent Coordinator of the United Nations in the Republic of Northern Macedonia.

Source: MIA