Today, in Skopje, the Working Committee for the National Development Strategy (NDS) held a meeting. The NDS is an advisory body to the Government, providing expert and technical support for the implementation of the National Development Strategy 2024-2044. The activities aim to achieve the goals of economic growth, social justice, and sustainable development defined by the strategy.
The General Secretary of the Government, Mr. Igor Janusev, delivered an opening speech, emphasizing the importance of this initiative and expressing gratitude to UNDP and the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic for their support. Janusev highlighted that the adoption of the National Development Strategy 2024-2044 and the Implementation Program 2024-2028 marks the beginning of a serious process of long-term development for the country.
The Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources, Ms. Sanja Bozhinovska, in her address, stated that although the road is full of challenges, it also opens new opportunities that must be seized.
“Macedonia faces significant challenges in the energy sector. Although energy consumption per capita is lower than the EU average, we have a high degree of energy poverty and environmental degradation. In 2020, 24% of the population faced energy poverty, three times the EU average. Our goal is to balance the reduction of energy poverty and the increase of economic productivity while achieving environmental standards. Our priority will be to transition to clean energy and increase energy efficiency in all sectors, especially by supporting vulnerable groups such as women and less developed regions. At the same time, we will invest in modern technologies and renewable sources for greater energy efficiency in industry and households. Through a just energy transition, we will create green jobs and enable gender equality in new projects,” said Minister Bozhinovska.
The Minister emphasized that the first two to three years are crucial for implementing the most important measures and called on the members of the Working Committee to propose concrete actions for quick implementation.
“With united efforts from all partners, we can build a green and sustainable future that will be better for all of us,” Minister Bozhinovska stressed.
The Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources is working on preparing a new Energy Law and Renewable Energy Law. The working group, composed of representatives from relevant institutions, energy companies, chambers of commerce, and associations of electricity producers, is actively drafting the text of the law. The draft law is expected to be submitted to Parliament by the beginning of December, in line with the obligations set forth in the Energy Community Agreement.
The National Development Strategy (NDS) is a visionary document for the next 20 years, guiding the country toward long-term development through the quadruple helix model, enabling integrated cooperation between the government, the business sector, academia, and the civil sector. In the upcoming period, concrete actions for the realization of the strategy will be developed.
