Prishtina, 27 October, 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, took part in the reception organized by UNKT in recognition of Kosovo’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are happy to be among the 23 countries out of 130 that have registered their commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals on the UN electronic platform,” said Prime Minister Kurti in his opening speech.
“This reflects our unwavering commitment to creating a more equal, sustainable and prosperous society for all our citizens,” he added.
Furthermore, he emphasized that “the National Development Strategy 2030, together with our three-year plan, describes our vision for sustainable development and the realization of the 2030 Agenda”.
“Last week we announced our commitment to Transforming the Sustainable Development Goals, in the spirit of ‘leaving no one behind’. Our accelerated roadmap focuses on poverty reduction, the transition to renewables, digital transformation and education reform”, he said among other things.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Kurti said that “Together, we will continue to work towards building a more equal and sustainable future towards Agenda 2030. We work together to make these goals a reality and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.”
Prime Minister Kurti’s complete speech:
Honorable UN Development Coordinator Mrs. Spence, Dear Arnhild,
Your Excellency Atifete Jahjaga, former President of the Republic of Kosova,
Your Excellency Nicholas Abbott, British Ambassador to Kosova,
Dear Excellencies,
Ambassadors Minca Benedejcic, Slovenia,
Shpresa Jusufi, North Macedonia,
Matti Nissinen, Finland,
Bernard Çobaj, Montenegro,
Oliver Guerot, France,
Keisuke Yamanaka, Japan,
Jonas Westerlund, Sweden,
Dear representatives of the organizations within the United Nations Kosova Team,
Dear Members of Parliament, colleagues from the Government,
It is a pleasure to be with you today along with many members of the cabinet, to share our Government’s commitment to contribute to the renewed global action in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Responding to the United Nations’ call to make meaningful progress in accelerating the SDGs, Kosova recommitted to seven years of accelerated and transformative action to deliver on the promise of sustainable development. We are happy to be among 23 countries out of 130, that have registered their commitments to the SDGs on the UN electronic platform.
This reflects our unwavering dedication to creating a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous society for all our citizens.
Focusing on the 5 Ps of the Sustainable Development Goals: the Planet, Peace, Prosperity, Partnership and People, we recognize and place citizens at the center. They are also the ones, therefore citizens for whom we must make the change, but also the ones who make the change.
Therefore we are engaged in the empowerment of citizens by building a system that offers opportunities and equal chances for everyone.
Our National Development Strategy 2030, along with our three-year National Development Plan, outlines our vision for sustainable development and delivery on Agenda 2030.
Last week we announced our commitment to Sustainable Development Goals Transformation, in the spirit of “leave no one behind”. Our accelerated roadmap focuses on reducing poverty, transitioning to renewables, digital transformation, and education reform.
We are committed to four key policy priorities, starting with:
Number one, reducing poverty rate from 25% to 19% by 2027, through the delivery of timely and quality health services, and enhancement of an equitable and adaptable social safety net with improved targeting accuracy and coverage of the poor.
Second, increasing our renewable energy capacity from 279 MW to 1600 MW by 2030, complemented by plans to expand a minimum of 170 MW of battery storage capacity into the national energy power system.
Third, by 2027, digitalizing 65% of public services for both citizens and businesses, with the goal of equipping 80% of the population with basic digital skills by 2030.
And fourth, implementing significant reforms in our education system, allocating 4-6% of the GDP and 15-20% of public expenditure to education by 2027. This aligns with increasing inclusion rates in early childhood education and for children with special needs, as well as boosting the enrolment rates of marginalised children in compulsory and upper secondary education.
Our commitments represent a blueprint of our Government’s efforts to work with all development partners, UN Development Coordinator and the UN Agencies on the ground, to accelerate efforts in achieving the benchmarks of Agenda 2030.
To support these commitments, we are rendering our development mechanisms fit for purpose. This year we intend to establish an SDG Accelerator Fund and an SDG Dashboard.
Together, we will continue working towards building a more equitable and sustainable future towards Agenda 2030. I look forward to working together to make these goals a reality and ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
Thank you!
Last modified: October 30, 2023