The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, in cooperation with its long-time partner UNDP, organized a briefing for journalists where, together with the Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi and the Minister of Health Dr. Fatmir Medziti, they presented the expectations and positions of the state for the upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
What is of particular importance of this Conference is the successful completion of the first global review which should provide guidance for subsequent cycles of review of national contributions to the Paris Agreement and financing of activities to achieve the goals of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improvement of resilience.
The UAE’s goal is to lead a process in which all parties agree on a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a “leave no one behind” approach to inclusive climate action.
The four pillars of the COP28 Presidency Action Agenda are fast-tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusiveness.
In addition to the formal negotiations, the participation of the members of our delegation in high-level thematic days, such as the day of health, day of energy, etc. is foreseen.
“What we do as a state is, we show by our own example that having a vision and ambitious long-term and medium-term goals are necessary, and their realization is achievable with joint and partnership action,” Minister Shukova informed, giving an overview of the main positions and expectations of the state. She emphasized that the upcoming Conference is expected to set a clear goal for adaptation, because the impact of climate change on people and the environment is evident and scientifically proven, and in that direction, operationalization of the fund for losses and damages is expected, for which concrete locations have already been announced from the EU and other developed countries.
“Let me point out that our preparations, policies and expectations from the upcoming conference are also tied to the realization of the regional commitments from the Action Plan for the implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the EU legislation, as the responsible institution for the implementation of Cluster 4 – Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity” – Shukova added.
Related to the investment framework for the just energy transition that will be presented within the framework of COP28 on 3rd December 2023, Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi stated: “We are working on establishing an Investment Platform for a just energy transition, which is in accordance with the national strategic documents and aims to bring together our international partners to support the energy transition process and mobilize funds. We believe that the Platform will demonstrate our clear ambitions and intentions to decarbonize the economy and attract the necessary support”. Bekteshi announced that we are already starting to receive positive signals from that activity and cited the support from the Climate Investment Fund as an example.
“In February this year, we were selected as one of the six countries and the first country in Europe for the accelerated coal transition program. Since then, we have been working closely with the EBRD, as a lead partner, as well as the World Bank and IFC, to prepare the Investment Plan which is the basis for mobilizing the necessary funds for an accelerated transition. As a result of future approval of the investment plan by the CIF Trust Fund Committee, we will gain access to $85 million in grants and concessional financing for the energy transition, along with approximately $0.5 billion in financing from multilateral banks” – Bekteshi said.
According to Bekteshi, the realization of these processes requires cooperation, and the readiness of our partners to support the goals of the Investment Platform and to invite others to join us in the process is already evident.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Fatmir Medziti, emphasized the crucial importance of adaptation to climate change.
“The adaptation measures implemented in the health sector include the implementation of energy efficiency in health facilities, in the past few years, around 50 health facilities have been renovated” adding that the measures to mitigate climate change include the use of natural gas and turning off fuel oil for the needs of the Clinical Center “Mother Teresa”, Hospital “8 Septemvri”, UC “St. Naum Ohridski”, Hospital Specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology Cair in 2020 and all major hospitals in Skopje, as well as the installation of solar panels in the Clinical Hospital in Shtip and the Hospital in Gostivar with the support of the WHO”, said Medziti.
He added that in 2022, the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia started activities to make the building energy efficient and introduced the new Autoclave by crushing medical waste on the principle of reducing the carbon footprint of health institutions and to be more ecological and to work on becoming a climate sustainable institution.
The Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program, Armen Grigoryan, spoke at the briefing, who emphasized that “Climate change is not a challenge that countries can face independently and outside of the global context. Climate change knows no borders. Therefore, an integrated, joint approach of all stakeholders is necessary. As has been the case for the past 20 years, the United Nations Development Program will continue to strongly support the steps taken by the government and relevant ministries to address this challenge”. UNDP has been a two-decade partner of the state in these processes, especially in the preparation of national documents that are an obligation under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement in the area of climate change.