Prishtina, 24 May, 2023
“Kosovo stands alongside the European partner states in the compilation and implementation of strategies and in the development and approval of policies which basically aim at a fair transition towards a green and sustainable economy”, said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti in today’s conference “Sustainable Development Week in Kosovo”.
While talking about the government’s focus during the first term in addressing social and economic inequalities, he highlighted that the investments we are making in renewable energy come as a result of the Energy Strategy, which is not only the first strategy of our country based on in deep studies and analysis, but it is also the first strategy, which basically aims at decarbonization and the right energy transition.
“Through investments, we are turning the Kosovo Energy Corporation into the cleanest enterprise by installing 100 megawatts of solar energy. We are building the accumulative reserves with capacity among the largest in Europe through the largest grant in the history of our country with 236.7 million dollars from MCC, we are building the first project in the Balkans for central heating with solar energy, worth 80 million euros, yes we present competitive schemes starting with the first solar energy auction with a capacity of 100 megawatts, which we launched two weeks ago,” he added.
In addition to the creation of new jobs, through government policies, the prime minister said that retraining programs for workers will be designed so that in the future public enterprises and private businesses can move to the green economy as easily as possible.
In his speech, the prime minister listed the government’s commitment, the initiatives and projects that have been done and are planned to be done to contribute to a clean environment, but as he emphasized, a sustainable development is achieved when we make sure that we prepare and adapt to the effects of climate change, therefore our lobbying for climate justice towards Kosovo will not stop.
In this conference, along with Prime Minister Kurti, there were the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Mr. Liburn Aliu, deputy ministers, accredited ambassadors in Kosovo and various representatives of institutions and organizations.
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable Ambassador Thomas Szunyog, Head of the EU Office in Kosovo,
Honorable Ambassador Joern Rohde, Ambassador of Germany in Kosovo,
Dear Ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Kosovo,
Dear Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Mr. Liburn Ali
Honorable Minister of Economy, Mrs. Artane Rizvanolli,
Honorable Burim Ejupi, Executive Director at the Institute for Development Policy, INDEP
Dear Members of Parliament, Deputy Ministers, representatives of institutions,
Dear Coordinator of UNDT, Mrs Annhild Spence,
Honorable ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, Mrs. Danijela Barisic,
Ladies and gentleman,
Dear attendees,
Kosovo stands alongside the European partner states in the compilation and implementation of strategies and in the development and approval of policies which basically aim at a fair transition towards a green and sustainable economy. Through them we aim to address environmental challenges and create social equality, economic development and inclusiveness. The concept of sustainability is at the center of almost all policies, strategies and laws that we are drafting and approving.
During the first half of our Government’s mandate, we focused on addressing social and economic inequalities. Through the comprehensive policies of the schemes for development and social support that we have begun to apply will ensure that vulnerable groups, including low-income and marginalized groups, have a significant improvement in well-being, access to employment, education and health, energy and other sustainable services.
The investments we are making in renewable energy come as a result of our Energy Strategy, which is not only the first strategy of our country based on studies and deep analysis, but it is also the first strategy which basically aims at decarbonization and the right energy transition. Through investments, we are turning the Kosovo Energy Corporation into the cleanest enterprise by installing 100 megawatts of solar energy. We are building the accumulative reserves with capacity among the largest in Europe through the largest grant in the history of our country with 236.7 million dollars from MCC, we are building the first project in the Balkans for central heating with solar energy, worth 80 million euros, yes we present competitive schemes starting with the first solar energy auction with a capacity of 100 megawatts, which we launched two weeks ago.
In addition, these investments in renewable energy and other investments in sustainable transportation, waste management, and training and skills development programs will create opportunities to prepare a skilled workforce for the emerging green economy.
In addition to the creation of new jobs, through government policies, we will also design retraining programs for workers so that in the future public enterprises and private businesses can transition to the green economy as easily as possible.
Agriculture is one of the contributors to the degradation of the soil environment if sustainable measures are not practiced. For example, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and improper irrigation degrades soil quality, depletes nutrients and reduces fertility. However, such practices cannot be changed overnight. It takes time, adequate and continuous training and support for farmers and investments, so that they can be gradually replaced with sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the use of chemical inputs, promote organic agriculture and protect soil health. During these two years of governance, we have updated the legal basis and, like never before, we have multiplied subsidies and grants in agriculture. This year they will reach the value of up to 100 million euros.
Our goal is to develop sustainable agriculture through which we manage to cover our basic needs with basic food products, provide clean and quality food and at the same time, use land, water and other natural resources responsibly.
For wastewater treatment and waste management, we secured 100 million euros in grants from the European Union and Germany. Currently, we are in an early stage of establishing the separation system at the base and building the recycling centers. So far we have reviewed part of the necessary legal framework and will slowly start applying the Polluter Pays principle, through the creation of the legal basis for Extended Producer Responsibilities. On the other hand, we are working intensively on the construction of plants to deal with a major problem that we have, which is the treatment of waste water.
A few weeks ago, we inaugurated the third plant in two years, through which, in addition to protecting the environment and public health, we are preventing the pollution of cross-border waters with Albania. This proves that our approach to environmental protection goes beyond our state borders. The treatment of polluted water at the country level has increased from 1%, which was when we started the mandate a little more than two years ago, to 11%. We are committed to moving forward and our goal is to have 7 headquarters with plants in the next 5 years.
In the plan are the construction of the plant for the treatment of polluted water in the capital, Pristina, which will also cover the municipalities of Fushë Kosova, Obiliq and Graçanica, as well as the plants of polluted water in Mitrovica, Gjilan and Ferizaj.
Furthermore, in order to speed up the implementation of the Green Agenda, last year we launched the Green and Sustainable Municipality Charter, which has been signed by 22 municipalities so far. Meanwhile, this year we allocated around 2 million euros for the support of the Municipalities that have become part of the Charter in the implementation of sustainable environmental policies.
Kosovo, although it is not yet a member of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, every day is proving more and more its determination in undertaking actions to reduce the level of impact on the environment and its readiness to contribute to the global effort to protect of Earth. In addition to the work we are doing in the implementation of the Green Agenda, this year, we are making all the preparations to unilaterally publish the National Determined Contribution as an obligation of the Paris Agreement, which is preceding the first Law that will have Kosovo for Climate Change. Climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution do not respect national borders and their impacts are felt by people and ecosystems around the world, so we are actively lobbying for Kosovo to have the right to dialogue and access to the funds and processes of the Organization of Nations United for adaptation to climate change.
A sustainable development is achieved when we make sure that we prepare and adapt to the effects of climate change, therefore our lobbying for climate justice towards Kosovo will not stop.
Thank you.
Last modified: May 24, 2023