Skopje, 21 September 2023 (MIA) - These days, here in New York, we have reaffirmed commitments of the world nations regarding the realization of the 17 goals defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The achieved consensus promises to build solidarity among states, bring back optimism and enthusiasm in ensuring development and better quality of life for everyone-everywhere, including North Macedonia. The Government has already expressed its commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and the progress we made was registered through the Integrated Assessment, which determined that our national policies have 83 percent alignment with the sustainable development goals, well above the global average, said Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, coordination of economic sectors and investments Fatmir Bytyqi.

"To be able to discuss sustainability of economic development, we first have to harmonize with nature, reach peace and security, and share its benefits with everyone, that is, no one should be left behind," said Bytyqi at the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

He pointed out this is the essential message of the Political Declaration adopted by 193 UN member-states at the Summit for Sustainable Development, the Government said in a press release.

He also referred to the National Development Strategy "that will establish an institutional framework for achieving a social consensus in the direction of creating a political atmosphere, where we mobilized a positive political energy to determine 20-year long development priorities, which will represent the basis for localization and achieve an even higher degree of the Sustainable Development Goals."

"Our institutional commitments for economic and social transformation, accompanied by the green transition, can be confirmed with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and an Agreement for Privileges and Immunities with the Green Climate Fund (GCF), that North Macedonia will host the next 2024 GCF Structured Dialogue with Eastern Europe and Central Asia," said Bytyqi.

He noted that the Government will strengthen the institutional capacities for dealing with climate change and also create and implement policies to ensure a socially and ecologically balanced economic development, aimed at the well-being of our fellow citizens and their prosperity, reads the press release.

Photo and video: Government