Skopje, 20 May 2026 (MIA) - The Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed Wednesday a joint declaration by which UNDP officially joins the Just Energy Transition Investment Platform (JETIP), thus enhancing the national capacities for implementation of the strategic process.

JETIP is a key government coordination facility aimed at connecting priority energy investments - renewables, transmission grids, energy storage and system flexibility - with specific just transition measures. This involves retraining of the workforce, support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and direct involvement of communities in coal-dependent regions, the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources said in a press release.

"JETIP builds the foundation for a long-term and coordinated energy transition that links investments, policies and citizens' needs. The partnership with UNDP is significant because it further strengthens the support for communities and local entities that are directly affected by the transition. Cooperation with UNDP will lead to the next stage of the JETIP implementation through support of local development, inclusive planning and enhancing the capacities of stakeholders and local communities for just transition," said Minister Sanja Bozhinovska.

UNDP Resident Representative Armen Grigoryan said joining JETIP is a step forward in the partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, opening opportunities for closer cooperation with international financial institutions and development partners.

"The country has demonstrated leadership in the climate field through its ambitious goal of an 82-percent cut of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030," said Grigoryan.

According to him, JETIP is the engine that would turn this ambition into reality, namely 1.7 gigawatts of renewable energy and mobilization of mass investments for grid modernization, energy storage and just transition measures.

"UNDP brings added value to the platform through its expertise. We are witnessing the impact of this approach in the Green Finance Facility Programme for investments in renewables and energy efficiency for households and SMEs, funded by the Joint Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Fund, the Government, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)," said Grigoryan.

Photo: Ministry of Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources