Two-day conference ‘Green Agenda for Western Balkans’ in Skopje
Skopje, 5 October 2022 (MIA) – The green agenda for the Western Balkans, the energy crisis and the current challenges arising from the Russian aggression on Ukraine and the effects of the war are the focus of the conference taking place October 5-6 in Skopje, co-organized by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia and Germany, in cooperation with the Aspen Institute from Germany.
Foreign Minister Bujar Osman opened the conference, alongside German Minister of State for Europe and Climate at the Federal Foreign Office, Anna Lührmann, and the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute, Stormy-Annika Mildner.
The discussion focused on the targets set by the conclusions of the Berlin Process Summit, co-chaired by North Macedonia and Bulgaria in 2020, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkan and its action plan aimed at reducing carbon emissions and the serious air pollution in the region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
It adds that the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is the real long-term solution, in a time when the world is facing an energy crisis and additional challenges arising from the Russian aggression on Ukraine and the effects of the war which made it difficult for the economies and citizens to acquire energy.
FM Osmani underlined that the conference can be thought of as a timely exercise for coming up with ideas, solutions and results, stressing that our current way of life is reaching its economic, social and environmental limits.
“We will need a different economy and labor market, a different approach to the natural world and our environment. A different way of life, work, travelling, doing business and different ways to function as a society. But cooperation makes us all stronger than the discord and polarization,” said Osmani.
At the same time, Osmani stated that North Macedonia remains committed to the realization of the Green Agenda through an equitable energy transition, with a special focus on a greener industry, investments in hydro, wind and solar energy.
The Conference was attended by MPs and Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the region, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office, Albert Hani, as well as representatives from the civil sector from the country and the region. ad/ik/
It adds that the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is the real long-term solution, in a time when the world is facing an energy crisis and additional challenges arising from the Russian aggression on Ukraine and the effects of the war which made it difficult for the economies and citizens to acquire energy.
FM Osmani underlined that the conference can be thought of as a timely exercise for coming up with ideas, solutions and results, stressing that our current way of life is reaching its economic, social and environmental limits.
“We will need a different economy and labor market, a different approach to the natural world and our environment. A different way of life, work, travelling, doing business and different ways to function as a society. But cooperation makes us all stronger than the discord and polarization,” said Osmani.
At the same time, Osmani stated that North Macedonia remains committed to the realization of the Green Agenda through an equitable energy transition, with a special focus on a greener industry, investments in hydro, wind and solar energy.
The Conference was attended by MPs and Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the region, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office, Albert Hani, as well as representatives from the civil sector from the country and the region. ad/ik/ 
