Water is a strategic resource whose protection and sustainable management are essential for economic development, food security, environmental protection, and the well-being of citizens. This was one of the key messages from the joint 7th session of Working Group 5 – Environment (Chapter 27) and the 14th session of Working Group 1 – Agriculture and Rural Development (Chapter 11), which was held today within the framework of the National Convention on the European Union in the Republic of North Macedonia.
The event, organised by the European Movement in the Republic of North Macedonia, was dedicated to the topic “European Water Policies in an Era of Climate Change: Opportunities for an Integrated and Multi-Sectoral Approach in the Republic of North Macedonia” and gathered representatives from institutions, academia, the civil sector, agricultural organisations, and international partners.
The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Cvetan Tripunovski, emphasised that water resource management must be placed high on the national policy agenda. “Climate change is already having a direct impact on agricultural production and water availability. Therefore, it is necessary to invest in modern irrigation systems, better planning, and more efficient use of water resources, following European standards and good practices,” Tripunovski said, stressing that this is a strategic goal for the Government, which is already investing in building a stable irrigation system by constructing new and reconstructing existing dams and hydro-systems.
The Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Muamet Hodza, pointed out that climate risks require a new approach to water management. “Water security is no longer just an environmental issue, but a matter of development, economic competitiveness, security, and public health. Therefore, an integrated water management system and better coordination among institutions, enhanced implementation of European legislation, and long-term policies based on scientific data and real needs are essential,” Hodza noted.
Water is a clear example that contemporary challenges cannot be treated in isolation, as water is an invaluable resource, and our collective responsibility is to preserve it for future generations, Hoxha concluded.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Slovakia, Iveta Hricová, emphasised the importance of regional and European cooperation in tackling climate challenges. “The experiences of member states show that integrated water management brings concrete benefits to the environment, agriculture, and local development. The European Union remains a strong partner of North Macedonia in the process of alignment with European policies and standards,” Hricová said.
Within the framework of the three thematic panels, discussions focused on European water security policies, the need for greater resilience to climate change, integrated water management in support of agriculture and rural development, as well as the opportunities presented by digitalisation in water resource management.
Participants agreed that it is necessary to strengthen cross-sectoral coordination among the institutions responsible for the environment, agriculture, water economy, and local development, as well as to improve data exchange and system interoperability.
In the concluding observations, it was emphasised that the Republic of North Macedonia should continue aligning with European legislation in the field of water, strengthen institutional capacities for managing climate risks, and invest in digital solutions that will contribute to greater transparency, efficiency, and sustainability of public policies.
The recommendations and conclusions from today’s session will be submitted to the competent institutions and will contribute to the process of preparing the Republic of North Macedonia for European Union membership.
Сподели
