A Partnership Conference on Sustainable Waste Management Services convened to promote effective policies, strategic funding, and coordinated programs for long-term sustainability in waste management. The event, held within the framework of the project “Sustainable Waste Management at the Local Level,” facilitated discussions between national and local authorities, donors, and other stakeholders.

State Secretary Resmi Ejupi highlighted the timeliness of the conference given the progress in establishing regional waste management systems and the ongoing challenges in municipal waste management. He noted the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning’s allocation of 47 million euros from an EBRD loan for the Southwestern and Pelagonija regions, to be used for vehicles, containers, transfer stations, landfill closure, and a central plant. The purchase of containers, bins, and sorting equipment is also in progress.

Ejupi emphasized that regional waste management would improve environmental control, reduce landfilling and illegal dumping, and increase waste utilization and recycling. It would also lead to increased income and employment, GDP growth, and the development of a circular economy. He urged local self-governments to continue with the process.

Ambassador of Sweden to Macedonia, H.E. Ami Larson Jain, the head of the European Delegation, Stefan Hudolin, and the Deputy Minister of Local Self-Government, Erdzan Selimi also addressed the event.

SALAR International organized the conference as part of a Swedish-funded initiative to support regional waste management in the Pelagonija and Southwestern regions.