Prishtina, 31 may 2022
The Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo organized the signing ceremony of the “Charter for a Green and Sustainable Municipality”, between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the municipalities: Dragash, Drenas, Ferizaj, Gjakova, Gjilan, Gracanica, Hani i Elezit, Junik, Kamenica, Klina, Malisheva, Mamusha, South Mitrovica, Obiliq, Podujeva, Prishtina, Rahovec, Shtime, Skenderaj, Viti and Vushtrri.
The need for transformational change is growing. We need decisions and projects that strengthen our economy and protect the environment at the same time. Development in harmony with nature, not in contradiction with it, said Prime Minister Kurti at the opening of this ceremony.
For this, we need comprehensive and sustainable growth, which responds to all citizens, the economy of tomorrow that does not leave behind women and girls, children of the elderly and that is in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change, he added.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo will support projects through which we make municipalities sustainable in terms of environment, improve the quality of life of citizens, improve economic performance and promote innovations that create new business sectors and new jobs.
Ms. Viola Von Cramon, Rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, congratulated in her speech the Government and the municipalities for this important initiative for the Green Agenda.
Through the Charter for a Green and Sustainable Municipality, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo aims to improve economic performance, encourage innovation to create new business sectors, make our municipalities environmentally sustainable and improve the quality of our lives and the generations to come
Full speech of the Prime Minister:
Honorable Ms. Viola von Cramon, Rapporteur of the European Parliament for Kosovo,
Your Excellency Ambassadors,
Honorable government cabinet, ministers, deputy ministers,
Honorable MPs of the Assembly of the Republic,
Honorable mayors of the municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo,
Distinguished representatives of local and international, partner organizations,
Dear activists of the cause for the protection of the environment,
Dear media representatives,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We met together on 22 April, on the occasion of International Earth Day when we organized the launch ceremony of the Charter for a Green and Sustainable Municipality. The transformation of our municipalities is the goal of this initiative, which has brought us together even today, in the signing ceremony.
The invitation was made for an open-air ceremony, amidst the greenery under the shade of the trees and amidst the chirping of birds. But this became impossible due to the strong wind. That environment we do not often encounter in our cities. But, you all know that. On your way here you passed under a few trees, you heard a few birds. In recent years, our cities are expanding and growing, to the detriment of nature and the ecosystem. There are far fewer birds, far fewer insects, including the bees and some of the pollinators on which agricultural and food crops rely.
By degrading our ecosystems, we are tearing down the foundations of what makes welfare possible – food, water, temperature regulation, economic growth. By not protecting nature, we endanger our own survival.
Therefore, the need for transformational change is growing. We need decisions and projects that strengthen our economy and protect the environment at the same time. Development in harmony with nature, not contrary to it.
This requires comprehensive and sustainable growth, responsive to all citizens, the economy of tomorrow that does not leave behind women and girls, children of the elderly and that is in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
To achieve economic development, while increasing environmental sustainability and food security, it is necessary to implement the Green Agenda and meet the Objectives for Sustainable Development.
Achieving these objectives can only be done in coordination of policies, projects and interventions at the local and central level. With cooperation between central and local government, citizens, non-governmental organizations, media and enterprises, and of course with the support of our international partners.
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo will support projects through which we make municipalities sustainable in terms of environment, improve the quality of life of citizens, improve economic performance and promote innovations that create both new business sectors and new jobs.
With today’s signatures, your municipalities, our municipalities, will benefit from support for policies on climate, energy and sustainable infrastructure, nature and biodiversity protection, local development through circular economics, sustainable food systems development, mobility and increase of public transport capacities with low emission rate, as well as digital transformation which is essential for the transparency of processes, for the accountability of officials and also for the quality of services.
Dear ladies and gentlemen,
The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is moving towards the realization of our vision for the environment, with quality planning and investments, with the aim of sustainable development and integrated infrastructure, in harmony with a clean environment, well-being and mobility.
With the Long-Term Strategy on Decarbonization, which is being finalized, and the joint drafting of the Circular Economy Roadmap, we will pave the way for the transition to a sustainable and competitive economy. In order for our economic growth not to be done at the expense of increasing the consumption of our natural resources.
The government is constantly working to ensure that the legal framework of the circular economy and waste management is in line with the Acquis of the European Union.
Honorable mayors,
It is our shared responsibility to protect natural resources through sound strategic planning. To become the custodian of the sustainable future we owe to the generations to come.
Planet earth has no new continents to discover, but we have new societies to build. And we must build this new society in every continent and state, in every municipality and neighborhood, so that the environment where we live is a livable home for everyone, with a strong social floor and a solid environmental roof.
Today’s ceremony reiterates the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, to continue further cooperation with municipalities, providing support in designing integrated urban, ecological and social development policies. We are formalizing this cooperation today with the signing of the Green Charter, and we will make it a reality together, implementing the commitments for green and sustainable municipalities.
Thank you all.
Last modified: June 2, 2022