Position Paper for the Commission on Sustainable Development

The issues before the Commission on Sustainable Development are: Water Scarcity and Resource Management; Changing Consumption and Production Patterns; and Drought and Desertification. The state of The Republic of Macedonia, a member of the Council of Europe, recognizes the authority of the Mandate of The Commission on Sustainable Development and the aims of Agenda 21. Macedonia supports Agenda 21 and is prepared to address the issues.

I. Water Scarcity and Resource Management

The Republic of Macedonia believes that water is the world’s most precious resource and that current levels and methods of use are detrimental to the world’s water supply.  Macedonia’s main priority, which must be the priority of others, is to provide the population with clean and sanitary water for everyday use. In this respect Macedonia has enacted several major laws: the Law on Waters; the Law on the protection of the Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran Lakes; the Decision on the Maximum Allowed Concentrations of Radio-nuclides and Harmful Substances within Watercourses, Trans-republic Waters and the Coastal Zone of Yugoslavia; the Regulation on Water Classification; and the Regulation on Watercourse and Lake Categorization.  It has been pointed out that water productivity must be doubled in order to meet the needs of the world population by 2025. Macedonia is committed to reconstructing and rehabilitating its current water systems in order to access clean water. Macedonia currently has an Industrial Waste Management problem. Macedonia is committed to modernizing its use and maintenance procedures in order to maximize efficiency and cleanliness of water supplies. This will be done through strict hydrological monitoring. Though Macedonia makes little use of irrigation, it realizes the necessity of improvement in irrigation processes. Macedonia supports the Report of the Expert Group Meeting on Strategic Approaches to Freshwater Management, in which national or local water policies are recommended, and progress reports are made frequently. Macedonia is home to three major lakes and four major rivers, all of which are shared with other countries. Macedonia hopes that an international understanding about the importance of all freshwater resources will help to protect these resources. National initiatives protecting freshwater ecosystems are an integral and necessary part of assuring that our predecessors will have access to high-quality water in sufficient quantities. Macedonia calls upon the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) to continue to monitor the situation of our world’s water. The CSD mandated National Action Programs are a first step. Macedonia encourages the CSD to continue regular monitoring of these National Action Programs. The CSD should put forth formal standards to guide all countries in the formation of these programs. These standards should include limits on the percentage of freshwater resources used for irrigation, industry, and household use. Other standards include strict hydrological monitoring, steps to preserve freshwater resources (including waterfowl and wetlands), and regulation on the use of waterways. Macedonia also encourages the CSD to continue calls for regular reporting of national progress.

II. Changing Consumption and Production Patterns

The Republic of Macedonia believes that there must be a change in the consumption of natural resources. Many of our world’s resources are being used at unsustainable levels. Continuation of this practice will leave our successors with little in the way of natural resources. Macedonia has implemented several policies to make sustainable development and preservation of our resources an attainable goal. Macedonia has proposed an increase in the production of natural gas for use as a household energy source. Macedonia is also taking measures to expand electrical production through hydroelectric means. In Macedonia, 70% of the electricity produced is Thermo-electric while the remaining 30% is Hydroelectric. 55% of electricity produced in Macedonia is domestic while the remaining 45% is imported. Macedonia is increasing its use of renewable resources and has instituted a National Program of Energy Saving, Substitution, and Rational Use. Structural reforms have occurred as a result of this policy as well as a decrease in the amount of manufacturing and the consumption of natural resources. Macedonia encourages the CSD and member states of the UN to implement similar policies. A formal list, established by the CSD, of standards and reporting procedures are needed to promote cooperation among states with both the United Nations and each other. Among the issues that should be covered by this list are the uses of renewable resource, lowering of energy consumption, environmental protection policies, and the regular implementation of General Assembly Resolution A/RES/47/191. The CSD must continue to promote the purposes of Agenda 21 relating to sustainable development.

III. Desertification and Drought

Macedonia has not yet signed the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought. Alignment with the European Union is a main goal of Macedonia’s foreign policy. The European Union has almost entirely ratified this convention. Different farming and irrigation practices are almost certainly necessary to combat desertification. Macedonia’s geography is not conducive to massive farming practices. However, Macedonia is concerned with the desertification of other countries. Desertification is a main contributor to famine and poverty. With these problems often leading to war, the states of the United Nations need to recognize the urgency this issue demands. No nation should be within the throes of famine, poverty, or war. The CSD needs to work with nations to coordinate the implementation of national programs. Also important for the CSD to address are national and regional differences. Macedonia is committed to working with other nations, though Macedonia may be able to offer little more than ideas.

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