07 November 2024
The event was attended by the President of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the UN Development Coordinator, Ms. Arnhild Spence, the acting executive director of the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency, Afrim Berisha, young people and other local and international representatives.
Average temperatures in Kosovo have increased by 2–3°C since the 1950s and are expected to rise by 4–8°C by the end of the century. This warming brings frequent heat waves, unpredictable rainfall, and severe water shortages, affecting children the most in areas such as Ferizaj and Prizren, where they face high air and water pollution.
“Climate change is negatively affecting the lives of our children. It is concerning to see that only 0.03 USD is spent per child on projects that address the climate change challenges affecting children. This is not proportional to what we aspire for them. That is why I am here, to call for action and to join forces to improve this situation. I congratulate UNICEF for this report and their excellent work. I hope that this report will guide us to do more for the children, to be inclusive, and to ensure that after words there are always concrete actions,” emphasized the President of Kosovo, Dr. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF leader in Kosovo, Veronika Vashchenko, said that the impact of climate change in Kosovo is affecting children from vulnerable communities, such as Roma, Egyptian, and Ashkali, more. “These impacts on children mainly affect children from vulnerable communities, Roma, Egyptian, Ashkali, who are already vulnerable and live in marginalized communities. Children are much more than victims. Children are agents of change. They are the ones who can make a difference, bring change, and bring changes for the future... Around 4.2 billion children are expected to be born in the next 30 years; they will not have a normal climate. Placing children at the center of our actions will not only protect children's well-being, but we will also have a more sustainable economy,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, the UN Development Coordinator, Arnhild Spence, said that Kosovo should engage more in the green agenda. "Kosovo benefits from the EU's green agenda, and I strongly believe that the project on climate change for children will take a leading role. The United Nations has various ways to contribute toward climate change and provide support to the government in implementing national contributions. Our goal is for Kosovo to reduce emissions," Spence stated.
On the other hand, the acting executive director of the Kosovo Environmental Protection Agency, Afrim Berisha, said that children in Kosovo are being directly affected by high temperatures as a result of climate change. "One of the groups in our society that is being endangered by climate change is children. We are witnessing that children are being directly affected by high temperatures, heat waves, especially in urban areas, even in their school environments. Children are directly affected by floods and inundations that occur in sensitive areas affected by these extreme weather phenomena," he emphasized.
For more: Analysis on the Climate Situation for Children in Kosovo