On 22 June 2023, the Joint SDG Fund Project "Green Financing Facility to Improve Air Quality and Combat Climate Change in North Macedonia" held its 1st Steering Committee meeting in Skopje, North Macedonia. The meeting took place at the Government of North Macedonia and was co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Economic Affairs, Fatmir Bytyqi, and the UN Resident Coordinator in North Macedonia, Rossana Dudziak. The co-chairs were joined by the heads of offices of the participating UN organizations (IOM, UNDP, UNECE) and the country director of EBRD.

“IOM has been addressing the links between climate change, environment, and migration for 30 years, collaborating with governments and communities globally to better prepare for the effects of climate change and minimize its negative impacts,” said the IOM North Macedonia Head of Office Sonja Bozinovska-Petrushevska. "Focusing on preparedness, prevention and recovery, IOM through this project will support the communities to address the complex challenges posed by human mobility in the context of environmental degradation, and together with the partners work to develop solutions that leverage the potential of migration for climate change adaptation and most significantly productive use of remittances and funds that returning migrants bring and invest”. 

It was jointly concluded that climate change, natural disasters, and pollution require an increased pace of transition towards renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The GFF project supports the country's strategic determination to increase investments in renewable energy sources and enable financing for energy efficiency measures, especially in the private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises and households. The establishment of the Green Financial Fund mechanism is a practical example of cooperation between the Government, banks, and UN agencies, providing an inclusive system that stimulates collaboration with various stakeholders to provide necessary financial and technical support for the accelerated reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, increased electricity production, and improved energy consumption efficiency.

The project "Green Financial Fund for Improving Air Quality and Combating Climate Change in North Macedonia" is funded by the Global Fund for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, with the participation of the Government, EBRD, and local banks.