Muhamet Hodža calls for regional cooperation on environmental security

North Macedonian Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Muhamet Hodža, has emphasized the necessity of international cooperation and strong institutions to address environmental security and water management.

At a national seminar in Skopje focused on EU twinning projects, Hodža highlighted that climate change, pollution, and resource scarcity are critical components of the global security agenda. He stressed that environmental security is inextricably linked to the rule of law and the fight against environmental crime, calling for prevention over reaction and enhanced cooperation through networks like the EU Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL).

Additionally, during the second ministerial meeting on water organized by the Union for the Mediterranean in Rome, Hodža advocated for integrated regional approaches to manage transboundary river basins. He noted that challenges such as droughts, floods, and pollution require coordinated action across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Hodža called for significant investments and the mobilization of domestic and international resources to build climate resilience and align national policies with European standards, particularly regarding wastewater treatment and digitalization.