The Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova attended the opening of the two-day international conference on “Utility Services in Smart Cities” organized by the Association of Utilities Providers of the Republic of North Macedonia (ADKOM), which is financially supported by the MOEPP.
- Municipalities are faced with many challenges, unsolved communal problems and projects that need to be implemented, and we are aware that we as the Government should help to overcome the situation and move in the direction of “smart cities”. Today’s meeting aims, with joint efforts, to once again make a cross-section of the conditions and capacities of the municipalities in all planning regions and to define the next steps in establishing “smart cities” with solid and sustainable communal services. This is a priority of both the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, as well as local self-government – pointed out Shukova in her opening speech.
She also clarified that at no point is this a question of taking over the responsibilities and powers of the municipalities, but simply of joining the central government, together with the local government, to solve this long-standing problem in our country.
The president of ADKOM, Pece Milevski, and the president of the Community of Local Self-Government Units, Orce Gjorgjievski also spoke at the event. At the same time, a technical exhibition was set up – a utility equipment fair, where more than 20 companies had the opportunity to present their products.
The concept of “smart cities” arose as a response to modern challenges associated with intensive urban development. According to United Nations estimates, by 2050, more than 68% of the world’s population will live in large cities, which will contribute to increased air pollution and uneconomical consumption of resources.
Smart cities aim to optimize resources, contribute to a healthy and sustainable environment and improve urban living. Their development requires top infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology, and they are based on a platform to which new solutions and applications can be added.