Position paper for North Macedonia
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours |
| Paper text: | |
| The topics before the First committee are reducing space threats through norms, rules, and
principles of responsible behaviors and the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its
aspects. North Macedonia is committed to ensuring the well-being of all states through the
work of this agency, and looks forward to productive and substantial work with fellow member
states.
The Republic of North Macedonia supports the development of international norms that preserve outer space for peaceful use. The Republic of North Macedonia aligns itself with the EU’s position and upholds the foundation that was established by the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The country recognizes that maintaining space as a zone that is conflict-free free but requires cooperation, transparency, and restraint from all states. While the Republic of North Macedonia does not possess independent space launch or satellite capabilities, we view space security as directly linked to our digital, economic, and defense interests. Our National Cyber Security Strategy already commits to promoting international norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, principles that extend to outer space. | |
| Committee: | GA First |
| Topic: | The illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of North Macedonia acknowledges the increasing need for safety as the illegal trade and possession of weapons continue to rise. Ever since the armed conflicts of 2001, an increasing number of our citizens have illegally possessed light weaponry. Police reports indicate that such weapons are found during routine inspections, often alongside narcotics, in fights, smuggling operations, or domestic violence incidents. According to the Small Arms Survey from 2018, there are approximately 30 weapons per 100 inhabitants. Nearly 90% of these are in civilian hands, exceeding the global average of around 75%. The Republic of North Macedonia commits to the fight against illegal weapons as a top priority for our Ministry of Internal Affairs. We reaffirm our commitment to achieving the objectives of the Roadmap for Small Arms and Light Weapons Control. In particular, we support the adoption of a legal framework for arms control that will be fully aligned with the EU legislative framework and the standardized regulatory framework for explosives control in the region. Recently, we received a $200,000 donation as part of the “Enhancing Forensic and Crime Scene Investigation Capacities for Strengthening Criminal Justice Control over Small Arms and Light Weapons” project implemented by UNDP under the Roadmap for Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in the Western Balkans. The project aims to modernize forensic and crime scene investigation (CSI) units in North Macedonia to improve crime scene processing and evidence collection. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Role of the United Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence |
| Paper text: | |
| The topics before the General Assembly Second Committee address the role of the United
Nations in promoting development in the context of globalization and interdependence and
the protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind. The Republic
of North Macedonia is committed to ensuring the well-being of all states through the work of
this agency and looks forward to productive and substantial work with fellow member states.
The Republic of North Macedonia aligns its priorities with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, emphasizing economic growth, social inclusion, and institutional reform. In the 2026–2030 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) document, North Macedonia reported a 10 percent population decline since 2002 due to declining birth rates and increasing emigration. Limited economic and employment opportunities, inefficiencies in institutional systems, corruption, widespread pollution, and inadequate healthcare are among the reasons for the downturn. As a member of the Western Balkans 6, North Macedonia works to confront these challenges through joint regional efforts. In alignment with the European Commission’s 2023 New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, North Macedonia supports the creation of a Common Regional Market, as well as policy integration with EU’s single market standards. The Growth Plan highlights economic integration with the EU, regional market development, accelerated reforms, and increased financial assistance. These principles provide a framework for North Macedonia to attract investment, modernize infrastructure, and reduce outward migration. | |
| Committee: | GA Second |
| Topic: | Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of North Macedonia is in accordance with the United Nations in its views for the future. As a nation, North Macedonia is ranked #62 on the UN Climate Vulnerability Index. According to the World Bank Group Country Climate and Development Report, North Macedonia faces severe climate challenges that threaten its economy and people, with projections showing potential losses of up to four percent of GDP by 2050. In 2021, the nation signed the UNDP Climate Promise, which established a net greenhouse gas emissions reduction target at 82 percent by 2030. Furthermore, in 2023, the nation established a Green Finance Facility with the UN to provide affordable financing for green investments in small businesses and households. The initiative aims to both improve the climate and increase the nation’s GDP. Additionally, North Macedonia is involved in the Green Agenda for Western Balkans, which addresses climate action and sustainable energy, transport, and agriculture. The nation is striving toward climate neutrality by 2025. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination |
| Paper text: | |
| The topics before the Third Committee are the universal realization of the right of
peoples to self-determination and the improvement of the situation of women and girls in
rural areas. North Macedonia is committed to ensuring the rights of people through its
collaboration with other nations in this agency and looks forward to strong work and
cooperation with fellow member states.
The Republic of North Macedonia acknowledges the need for the universal realization of the rights of peoples to self-determination and what it means for the citizens of nations. As a country with a diverse population of many ethnic and cultural groups, we understand how crucial it is that each group gets representation in how their country operates, with no input from external forces. The Republic of North Macedonia emphasizes the importance of the people choosing their own political status freely with respect to the state’s political structures and free of outside influence. The delegation understands the importance of self- determination, especially when it comes to achieving it through the most peaceful and lawful means necessary. North Macedonia’s independence in 1991 after the dissolution of Yugoslavia was achieved through a compromise and a democratic referendum, and North Macedonia is committed to continuing that legacy of peaceful compromise and coexistence between countries. Furthermore, North Macedonia supports initiatives that promote peaceful negotiation and respect for sovereignty as essential components of self- determination. North Macedonia also believes that all groups within a state, such as ethnic and linguistic minorities, must be given fair political representation and opportunities for cultural expression, in line with the principles outlined in the United Nations’ 1992 Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. Through measures such as advocating for states heading toward self- determination, supporting dialogue and inclusive governance, and UN-backed dialogue initiatives, North Macedonia believes that the international community can grow to understand and better support the universal realization of the rights of peoples to self- determination. | |
| Committee: | GA Third |
| Topic: | Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas |
| Paper text: | |
| North Macedonia understands that women and girls in rural areas are some of the most
marginalized groups in the world. Additionally, they face limited access to education,
healthcare, financial resources, and more. Since we ratified the Convention on the Elimination
of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1994, we submit periodic reports to the
United Nations on gender equality. This report emphasizes the efforts of North Macedonia to
expand the rights of women in the more rural areas of the country. By ratifying this, North
Macedonia emphasizes that empowering rural women is indispensable not only for gender
equality but for sustainable rural development, food security, and inclusive growth. In order to
further the rights of women and girls in rural areas, the Republic of North Macedonia strongly
supports actions that expand access to resources for rural women and girls, such as targeted
grants, land-registration reforms, and gender-responsive budgeting, while also enhancing rural
infrastructure and local governance empowerment. We emphasize the creation of tailored
educational and health-service programs in remote areas, and programs that ensure that rural
women have a meaningful voice in local and national policymaking. Through these approaches,
North Macedonia commits to contributing to narrowing the rural gender gap and to creating
resilient, equitable rural communities that support women and girls and their development.
| |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Our ocean, our future, our responsibility |
| Paper text: | |
| The Republic of North Macedonia strongly believes that the stewardship of our oceans is one of
the most critical environmental goals that each nation should be striving towards. Moreover,
this nation emphasizes its recognition of the need for specific resolutions and movements to
address various factors of ocean health, including sustainable fishing practices, responsible
resource protection, and the enactment of international laws protecting the oceans. North
Macedonia has specifically felt that the legal protections of our seas and oceans are of pivotal
importance, which compelled this nation to sign the 1982 UNCLOS Law of the Sea legal
framework in the year 1994. This body feels that in order to protect the oceans that connect
our ports and borders across the globe, legal guidelines and enforcement must be laid out.
North Macedonia also considers the protection of marine species to be of the utmost importance in hopes of maintaining the ecological and overall health of the oceans. In 2023, our President expressed our support for the BBNJ Agreement on Marine Biodiversity, and our country continues to be open to the discussion of further species protection acts. This body feels strongly that without the protection of native oceanic wildlife, there is very little we can do to prevent detrimental damage on ecological, economic, and legislative levels. Looking towards the future conference, the Republic of North Macedonia awaits the opportunity to discuss specific improvements that can be made to the UN’s approach to pollution control, overfishing, and endangered species protection. | |
| Committee: | GA Plenary |
| Topic: | Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations |
| Paper text: | |
| North Macedonia confidently believes that in dire moments of emergency, a swift and efficient
humanitarian response is one of the most important courses of action that the United Nations,
or any international or local body, can take. Since our independence began in 1991, the
Republic of North Macedonia has recognized that both local and international governments
and organizations must take it upon themselves to protect the public at the most vulnerable of
times, and has demonstrated these ideas through multiple actions.
In 2019, North Macedonia elected to participate in the usage of NICS, a technological crisis management and response system that has been widely adopted by NATO. This body has also historically contributed to the UN Peacekeeping program and firmly supports the work that the United Nations Peacekeepers have done in areas of conflict or need across the globe. With these involvements, North Macedonia recognizes the need to connect information and response actions across borders, and would look favorably on the opportunity to further these goals. In preparation for the upcoming conference, the Republic of North Macedonia hopes to create new legislative resolutions to improve the current interconnected response systems between countries. Through the assembly of nations at this conference, this delegation awaits | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Nuclear security |
| Paper text: | |
| Nuclear security and strategy are constantly changing, and all nations should stay aware of the
risks. Ensuring nuclear safety requires strong international cooperation and strict respect for
the standards. The Republic of North Macedonia understands how serious this is and believes
careful attention should be given towards nuclear security. This paper outlines North
Macedonia’s recommendations, guidelines, and goals for the IAEA.
The Republic of North Macedonia sees nuclear research as essential for progress across multiple technological fields. North Macedonia acknowledges the importance of nuclear research in fields such as energy production, medical treatments, and agricultural growth. North Macedonia heavily supports improving the agency’s activities focused in all of the previously mentioned fields and more. North Macedonia consistently demonstrates their commitment to IAEA projects in the past decade, including collaboration with IAEA to create new PET radiopharmaceuticals to help train people from Africa in radiopharmacy. Since 2000, North Macedonia has carried out 37 Technical Cooperation Projects, received 87 expert missions, and assisted in 103 other missions. Recognizing the value of shared knowledge, North Macedonia is committed to further collaborate with the IAEA. | |
| Committee: | IAEA |
| Topic: | Strengthening the Agency's activities related to nuclear science, technology and applications |
| Paper text: | |
| North Macedonia believes the strength of the agency should be increased across many sub-
sections. This strengthening would occur through an increase in funding for state-sponsored
research projects. Projects based on nuclear medicine, nuclear containment, or radiation
therapy should be more heavily funded. Ad-hoc and routine inspections of nuclear facilities
should be maintained and supported. Finally, training services and fellowships for scientists
of member states should be advertised and financially supported.
Nuclear weapons pose an obvious threat to the lives of humankind and their potential for destruction is unparalleled. North Macedonia agrees with this statement, and has proved this agreement through its membership in the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. However, North Macedonia also acknowledges that the biggest defense against nuclear warfare is the threat of a retaliation strike against the offending countries. Due to this current situation, North Macedonia cannot support immediate nuclear elimination. North Macedonia believes that the best path forward is a gradual disarmament of all countries. In the meantime North Macedonia supports increased pressure from the international community for nuclear countries to disarm, increased attention and focus on CBRN risk mitigation, and the signage of all countries in the Treaty of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. As the world continues to progress in nuclear science, North Macedonia stands ready to aid the international community in this field. North Macedonia is eager to see the many benefits nuclear science can deliver to our international community. Through the expansion of programs relating to nuclear containment, medicine, and food security, North Macedonia remains committed to improving the lives of citizens around the globe. And through the regulation of nuclear weapons North Macedonia remains committed to protecting the lives of citizens around the globe. | |
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