The event builds on Kosovo’s growing potential in adventure, rural, and culinary tourism and introduces the Slow Food concept as a model for innovation, sustainability, and local economic development. The initiative aims to motivate young people, strengthen vocational education and training providers, and inspire small businesses to enhance their offer in the tourism and hospitality sector through creativity, authenticity, and quality.A Day of Dialogue, Demonstrations, and CollaborationThe programme begins at 10:00 with opening remarks from the Ambassador of Italy, the UN Development Coordinator, representatives of AICS, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), and the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK).A high-level panel discussion will follow, focusing on tradition, sustainability, and innovation in the HoReCa sector. Panellists will discuss the role of the Slow Food concept in shaping a more competitive and sustainable hospitality sector in Kosovo.Throughout the day, participants will enjoy live culinary demonstrations delivered by students from vocational education schools, vocational training centres, and members of Slow Food Dukagjini. Two demonstration sessions will offer a variety of dishes, desserts, and beverages prepared on-site, showcasing the creativity and talent of Kosovo’s new generation of HoReCa professionals.Later, a dedicated Career Opportunities Session will connect local businesses with Career Centres in vocational schools and employment offices, helping to strengthen the link between education and real employment and training opportunities.Promoting Innovation and Youth SkillsBy introducing Slow Food principles, the event aims to promote sustainability, support local producers, and stimulate new business models within the hospitality and tourism sector.More than 40 students will present their skills throughout the day, demonstrating the project’s commitment to empowering young people and strengthening the vocational education and training system.About the HoReCa ProjectThe HoReCa Project—funded by the Government of Italy through AICS and implemented by the International Labour Organization—supports the labour market integration of young people in the hospitality sector through skills development, capacity building of training providers, and enhanced cooperation between public institutions, employers, and development partners.

The Center will serve as a hub for capacity building and knowledge enhancement, helping to develop technical skills in forest planning and monitoring, integrated forest fire management, digitization of forest information and data, as well as in many other important areas for the sustainable management of forest resources. The Center was renovated under the Programme “Support to strengthening sustainable and multipurpose forest management to improve rural livelihoods and address climate change in Kosovo,” funded by the European Union and the Embassy of Sweden and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The Programme aims to enhance the forestry sector’s contribution to Kosovo’s sustainable development through improved governance, participatory management, and value chain development benefiting rural communities.During the ceremony, eight field vehicles and a second batch of handheld equipment – including Geo Vertexes, diameter measuring tools, compasses, and forest fire management equipment – were handed over to the Kosovo Forestry Agency (KFA). These resources, funded by the EU and the Embassy of Sweden, will strengthen the operational and technical capacities of the KFA for more effective and sustainable forest management.The event brought together representatives from the European Union in Kosovo, the Embassy of Sweden, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), the Kosovo Forestry Agency, FAO, media, and invited guests.Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the European Union in Kosovo, stated: “Forests are an important natural resource in Kosovo. With this new Center and the equipment we are handing over today, we are investing in the people who protect these landscapes for generations to come.”Henrik Riby, Deputy Head of Mission/Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina, added: “Together with the EU, we have invested EUR 2.5 million through FAO to support reforms, training, forest inventories, and equipment. These resources provide a strong foundation for Kosovo’s forests, though continued political commitment and active civil society engagement are essential.”Naser Krasniqi, Local Team Leader at FAO, noted that the equipment batch has a total value of around EUR 300,000, mostly funded by the EU. “FAO has organized training for KFA units, certifying trainers to continue capacity-building sessions on integrated forest fire management and supporting volunteers in prevention and suppression activities” said Krasniqi.Lazar Radulović, Deputy Minister at MAFRD, expressed gratitude to donors and FAO: “MAFRD remains committed to the development of the forestry sector. The new facilities, vehicles, and equipment will support professional duties and sustainable forest management across Kosovo.”The Blinaja/Lipovica Center for Capacity Building will continue to serve as a platform for training, collaboration, and innovation, supporting forestry professionals and local communities in protecting Kosovo’s forests and advancing sustainable rural development.

Amid serious present-day challenges being faced by the world, there is no other global organization with legitimacy, convening power and normative impact of the United Nations. No other global body gives hope to so many people for a better world and can deliver the future we want. Today, October 24, is United Nations Day, commemorating the anniversary of the UN Charter’s entry into force in 1945. Signed and ratified by all UN Member States, it calls on nations to “practice tolerance and live together in peace… and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security” as well as to promote “economic and social advancement of all peoples”.“Today, like every other day, we reflect on the power of those words, which continues to guide the work of the United Nations for the last 80 years. UNMIK has a long and significant presence in Kosovo, which is deeply tied to its past and present. While much has changed, our commitment to serving all communities in Kosovo remains steadfast,” Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of UNMIK Milbert Dongjoon Shin said.  He acknowledged the current financial challenges facing the UN due to global funding shortfalls but affirmed UNMIK’s continued support to the people and institutions of Kosovo in building trust, providing political analysis and reporting to UN Member States, exercising residual interim administration functions and offering good offices. The United Nations Kosovo Team, comprising 18 agencies, funds and programmes, supports projects and initiatives that advance the Sustainable Development Goals and improve lives across all communities. United Nations Development Coordinator in Kosovo Stephen O’Malley said today marks a moment to look back on eight decades of progress while preparing for the future:“We are entering a new era with new challenges; the lessons from 80 years ago remain valid and important, but we also need to refocus – both as an organization and as communities - on today's very real challenges in order to build resilient and prosperous societies.” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reflected on the challenges ahead and the “living promise” the organization represents. “This is no time for timidity or retreat. Now, more than ever, the world must recommit to solving problems no nation can solve alone. On this UN Day, let’s stand together and fulfil the extraordinary promise of your United Nations.” A photo highlighting work being done in Kosovo, supported by UNMIK, is part of a global photography exhibition highlighting the United Nations at 80, called “Shared Lives, Shared Future”, which features more than 200 photos and stories from around the world.

Today, we’re at the dawn of a new era. The sun is rising on a clean energy age. Last year, nearly all new power capacity came from renewables. Investment in clean energy soared to $2 trillion – $800 billion more than fossil fuels. Solar and wind are now the cheapest sources of power on Earth, and clean energy sectors are creating jobs, boosting growth and powering progress -- despite fossil fuels still receiving far greater subsidies.Countries that cling to fossil fuels are not protecting their economies, they are sabotaging them – undermining competitiveness, and missing the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century. Clean energy also delivers energy sovereignty and security. Fossil fuel markets are at the mercy of price shocks, supply disruptions, and geopolitical turmoil, as we saw when Russia invaded Ukraine. But there are no price spikes for sunlight, no embargoes on wind, and almost every nation has enough renewable resources to be energy self-sufficient.Finally, clean energy spurs development.  It can reach the hundreds of millions of people still living without electricity -- quickly, affordably and sustainably, particularly through off-grid and small-scale solar technologies.All this makes the clean energy era unstoppable. But the transition is not yet fast or fair enough. Developing countries are being left behind.  Fossil fuels still dominate energy systems, and emissions are still rising when they must plummet to avoid the worst of the climate crisis. To fix this, we need action on six fronts. First, governments must fully commit to the clean energy future.  In the coming months, every country has pledged to submit new national climate plans – known as Nationally Determined Contributions – with targets for the next decade. These plans must align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, cover all emissions and sectors, and lay out a clear path to clean energy. G20 countries, responsible for around 80% of global emissions, must lead.Second, we must build 21st century energy systems. Without modern grids and storage, renewable power can’t fulfill its potential. But for every dollar invested in renewable power, just 60 cents go to grids and storage. That ratio needs to be one- to-one. Third, governments must aim to meet the world’s surging energy demand with renewables. Major tech companies must also play their part. By 2030, data centres could consume as much electricity as Japan does today. Companies should commit to power them with renewables. Fourth, we must embed justice in the energy transition. This means supporting communities still dependent on fossil fuels to prepare for the clean energy future. And it means reforming critical minerals supply chains. Today, they’re riddled with rights abuses and environmental destruction, and developing countries are trapped at the bottom of value chains. This must end. Fifth, we must make trade a tool for energy transformation. Clean energy supply chains are highly concentrated and global trade is fragmenting. Countries committed to the new energy era must work to diversify supplies, cut tariffs on clean energy goods, and modernize investment treaties so they support the transition. Sixth and finally, we must drive finance to developing countries. Africa received just two percent of renewables investment last year, despite having 60% of the world’s best solar resources. We need international action – to prevent debt repayments sucking developing country budgets dry, and to enable multilateral development banks to substantially increase their lending capacity, and leverage far more private finance. We also need credit rating agencies and investors to modernise risk assessments, to account for the promise of clean energy, the cost of climate chaos, and the danger of stranded fossil fuel assets. A new energy era is within reach – an era where cheap, clean abundant energy powers a world rich in economic opportunity, where nations have the security of energy autonomy, and the gift of electricity is a gift for all.  This is our moment of opportunity to supercharge the global shift. Let’s seize it.