Skopje, 28.10.2025 – In the presence of more than 500 representatives from around the world, the 14th International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development (IFESD-14) under the title “From Goals to Action: Powering the Future with Sustainable Energy”, organized by the Ministry of energy, mining and mineral resources of the Republic of Macedonia, the United Nations Development Programme – UNDP and the five Regional Economic Commissions of the United Nations, was opened in Skopje.
"In the next three days, Macedonia will be the center of the global energy dialogue. We will talk about the energy transition, technology, markets, but above all, about the people behind that transition, about the way we live, the way we produce energy and cooperate to ensure energy security", the minister of energy, mining and mineral resources, Sanja Bozhinovska said at the opening of the Forum, at the Philharmonic of the Republic of Macedonia.
"Energy resilience today means the ability of the system to withstand, adapt and continue to function even in conditions of global uncertainty and geopolitical turmoils", Bozhinovska emphasized.
Prime minister Hristijan Mickoski addressed at the Forum, gathering 170 speakers, senior representatives of international institutions, economic leaders, academics and experts. “The world is changing at an accelerated pace today. What used to mean secure supply, today means a flexible system, a resilient market and clean sources. Energy stability is no longer just an economic issue, but also a security issue. Global turbulences remind us that energy independence is a precondition for economic freedom. And without freedom, there is no development, no stability, no dignity”, Prime Minister Mickoski stated at the opening of the Forum.
Our government, Mickoski added, firmly stands behind the reforms implemented by the Ministry of energy, but more importantly, it is building the connection between policy and vision.
The Permanent Representative of the United Nations Development Program, Armen Grigoryan, emphasized that sustainable energy solutions are not a choice, but a necessity. “Now we must move from promises to real implementation. Sustainable energy is at the core of our shared future. All around the world, UNDP is actively working to advance this agenda. Here in the country, through the Green Finance Facility and Air Pollution Control projects, UNDP is working to improve energy efficiency and reduce air pollution. We are helping families heat their homes in a clean and sustainable way, enabling businesses to invest in green solutions, creating healthier communities and new opportunities for growth”, Grigoryan said.
“Today we stand at a crossroad when it comes to energy multilateralism. The global energy transition is not only a historic opportunity for sustainable development, but also a great responsibility. We must build resilient energy systems that will ensure secure, affordable and environmentally sustainable energy supply. We know that none of us can succeed by working alone. To be successful, we must involve all stakeholders, assess socio-economic impacts and fully understand the consequences of our policy decisions”, Tatiana Molcean, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe said.
Over the next three days, the Forum, attended by representatives from more than 70 countries around the world, will cover multiple aspects of the energy transition, from fostering the development of e-mobility to ensuring a just transition in which no one is left behind. By sharing national and regional strategies for accelerating the clean energy transformation, showcasing innovative technologies and solutions from international organizations, the private sector and academia, as well as presenting financing mechanisms and partnerships for new investments, participants will seek to offer practical solutions for a just transition that will contribute to building resilient energy systems at a global level.
The World Forum, which has been held annually since 2010 and has grown into a leading global platform for advancing sustainable energy, this year is organized by the Ministry of energy, mining and mineral resources of the Republic of Macedonia, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the five regional commissions of the United Nations (UNECE, UNESCAP, UNECLAC, UNECA and UNESCWA).
