Skopje, 13 September 2021 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski met Monday with Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi, British Ambassador Rachel Galloway, UNDP Resident Representative Narine Sahakyan and UN Resident Coordinator Rossana Dudziak, discussing the process of drafting a National Development Strategy. Interlocutors agreed on the initiative put forward by President Pendarovski ‘MKD2030’ including the process of creating a ‘National Development Strategy 2021-2041’. The process will be based on the principles of national ownership, broad consultation, integration of existing processes of EU integration and Agenda 2030 and innovation. ‘NDS 2021-2014’ and ‘MKD2030’ represent a unique comprehensive long-term process of planning, monitoring and upgrading, involving representatives of all segments of society, the President’s Office said in a press release. The operational structure of the process, it adds, will ensure inclusion of the highest political, administrative, academic, business and community levels, headed by a National Development Council chaired by the President. The Council will also include the Prime Minister, the Parliament Speaker, party whips, representatives of the academic and business communities, workers, NGOs and youth. The first stage in the development of this strategic document will be funded by the British Embassy in Skopje, together with the technical support by UNDP, resulting in a methodology and operational structure that is to be applied in the second stage of the project – strategy development, reads the press release. The Government says the methodology is inspired by contemporary and innovative development models adapted to the national context and based on broad consultations with all parties concerned. In this way, the National Development Strategy will reflect the inter-generational, gender, interethnic, inter-partisan and long-term consensus regarding the country’s priorities, ensuring an inclusive, green and sustainable development for all, especially for vulnerable groups. This project will also identify and enhance ties among all other strategically important processes within the country, primarily related to EU integration and Agenda 2030 for sustainable development, along with the development of a communication strategy and electronic platform for the purpose of incorporating as much stakeholders as possible, says the Government.