Signed Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025 between the UN and Serbia

Minister Selaković stressed that Serbia is a reliable and credible partner to the United Nations, and that he was convinced that a constructive and dynamic cooperation between the Republic of Serbia Government and the entire UN Team would be continued in the upcoming period.

“The document we signed today is a comprehensive basis for the cooperation and support of the UN system directed at promoting and improving the overall economic, social and environmental development of our country”, said Minister Selaković.

He emphasised that the document was harmonized with the national development priorities of the Republic of Serbia Government, the EU accession negotiation process, and the 2030 Agenda.

“The economic growth, rule of law, respecting human rights, and the fight against climate changes are the foundations of our development strategy”, stated Minister Selaković.

He has said that the document stipulates that by 2025, with the support by the UN and other development partners, Serbia is to achieve a significant progress towards the realization of the key national development priorities in various fields for the benefit of all our citizens.

Minister Selaković stated that the strategic document was being signed at a moment when the world was still facing the coronavirus pandemic, and that the Republic of Serbia Government would provide, as a committed and reliable partner, full support to the implementation of the Cooperation Framework.

Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović was present at the signing ceremony and she said that the Cooperation Framework was one more proof of the full commitment by the Republic of Serbia Government to the sustainable development goals, the Green Agenda, fight against climate changes, and improvement of the quality of life for all citizens.

“In the accession process, we are using all things that are a part of the EU political framework, within which the EU has also defined sustainable development goals and the UN 2030 Agenda as a part of its political platform”, Minister Joksimović said and further noted that Serbia approached this process quickly and with agility.

She added that Serbia`s commitment to the sustainable development goals was mainly shown in 2019, when President Vučić presented the Voluntary National Report on sustainable development goals on behalf of the Republic of Serbia at the High-level Political Forum of the UN General Assembly, and that Serbia is one of the 47 countries that submitted such a report.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia Francoise Jacob emphasised that the Cooperation Framework was the result of an intensive cooperation process between the UN, the Republic of Serbia Government, and the civil society. She thanked all participants who worked selflessly on preparing the document during the pandemic.

She further stated that the UN is a unique partner with a vision of a world in which harmony, equality and love among people rule, living in harmony with nature.

“I am looking forward to our future work for the benefit of the people of Serbia”, Francoise Jacob concluded.