Skopje, 14 July 2025 (MIA) -- First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Izet Mexhiti met Monday with WHO representative in North Macedonia Akeem Ali for talks on the World Health Organization and the government's plans for working together on projects related to public health and the environment in the next five years.

Joined by WHO coordinator Simona Atanasova, Ali discussed the final draft of the WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy for 2026-2030, the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning said in a press release.

The new CCS is aligned with the state's public health priorities, sustainability development goals and the EU accession process, the release said.

Mexhiti said protecting public health and the environment was the state's responsibility toward the next generations. "Caring about the environment is direct care for our citizens' health," he is quoted as saying in the release.

"This is why the ministry will continue being the driver of policies improving the quality of air, clean water, climate adaptation and sustainable urban planning as key prerequisites for better health and wellbeing," he said.

"This strategy confirms our commitment to timely, responsible, systemic action," he said.

The release said the WHO's document highlighted the link between public health and clean air as well as safe drinking water, managing hazardous waste and lowering overall exposures to health risks.

Over 150 representatives from the state's institutions and civil society took part in developing the CCS, the environment ministry said. Its own representatives contributed to the new strategy by offering ideas on how to address environmental issues "as a key component of public health and sustainable development," the release said.

It added that the state's environmental authorities remained WHO's "firm partner in improving public health and environmental protection, with the clear aim of building a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable country for all of our citizens."

The CCS for 2026-2030 will be officially signed this fall. The signing will be attended by Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Minister of Health Azir Aliu and high representatives of the WHO. mr/