Belgrade, October 31, 2024 - Today, at the United Nations (UN) House, in the presence of high-ranking officials from the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia, the UN Resident Coordinator's office in Serbia (RCO), and UN agencies, the launch of the Digital Service Design Hub within the Office for IT and eGovernment (ITE) was announced. The Hub is being established as part of the new initiative "Clicking Together with Citizens“ which aims to support their continuous involvement in the design process of digital public services. This initiative represents a continuation of the UN's partnership with the Government of Serbia in implementing digital transformation and improving the quality and accessibility of public services for everyone, particularly the most vulnerable groups. It is being implemented with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and  the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). At the Digital Service Design Hub, new public digital services will be developed and current ones enhanced, by working closely with citizens, to boost efficiency in meeting public and business sector needs, and to grow the user base. This approach entails active citizen participation in all phases of creating digital public services — from the initial idea, through co-creation and prototype testing, to continuous service enhancement based on user feedback."This initiative marks a pivotal step for public services in Serbia", says Matilde Mordt, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia. "By engaging citizens, especially the most vulnerable like the elderly, people with disabilities, and rural communities, we aim to reduce discrimination and enhance accessibility to the digital space. It reinforces Serbia's digital transformation and our commitment to leaving no one behind".“Digital Service Design Hub – Clicking Together with Citizens” is a three-year initiative funded with 3.25 million euros by the Joint SDG Fund (Sustainable Development Goals Fund), with support from the EU and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The project in Serbia is led by the RCO and is implemented by UNDP, FAO, and UNICEF."The service delivery to citizens and businesses, in particular e-services, is continuously improving. Serbia is the top performer in the region. However, the main impediment for further developments remains the fragmentation of responsibilities and mandates between institutions and the lack of a dedicated coordination system. Within the reform agenda, digital transformation is seen as one of the key priorities and therefore significant EU funds have been allocated to support further digitalisation in Serbia", stated Nikola Bertolini, Head of the Cooperation Department of the EU Delegation in Serbia. Through the project, the ITE team will develop their skills in product management as well as in user needs and experience research, by working with experts and mentors from the private sector. Workshops are scheduled for the ITE team, public sector partners and students, in addition to training for civil servants through the National Academy for Public Administration's (NAPA) online platform. Moreover, attendees will be able to share their best practices and insights with experts from various local and international backgrounds. The initiative includes international cooperation, through study visits and participation in significant events related to citizen-centered service design, aiming to integrate the principles of this approach into domestic legislation and e-government processes. For hands-on practical learning, the project includes plans to redesign and enhance digital services in the areas of agriculture and social protection.The main national partner in the implementation of the project is the Office for IT and eGovernment (ITE). Additionally, project partners include the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, the Ministry of Family Welfare and Demography, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, and the Directorate for Agrarian Payments, as well as the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, the National Academy for Public Administration (NAPA), and the Public Policy Secretariat of the Republic of Serbia."By launching the 'Digital Service Design Hub – Clicking Together with Citizens' project, we are beginning a new chapter at the Office for IT and eGovernment. It is extremely important for us that the voices of our service users are heard in everything we do. Our intention is to work with citizens on the development and testing of new offerings, receiving feedback from them, to make sure they are accessible, easy to comprehend, available on all devices, and adjustable for individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to perfect this new working process over the next three years so that citizen-focused service development becomes the standard for creating e-services, and for our Office to become the primary state promoter of this new practice, which will also support other institutions", said Dr. Mihailo Jovanović, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment. He added that for the past eight years, the Office has been the driving force behind digital transformation in the Republic of Serbia, working on the development and improvement of the entire eGovernment system with significant support from the UNDP.

Belgrade, October 24, 2024 – The Government of the Republic of Serbia and the United Nations in Serbia observed the 79th anniversary of the United Nations with an event focused on "YoUNg Futures" at the Jugoslovenska kinoteka in Belgrade. The gathering reinforced Serbia's commitment to fostering international cooperation and peace, while underscoring the vital role of youth in sustainable development.In her address, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Ms. Matilde Mordt, reflected on the escalating global challenges and highlighted the UN’s strategic priorities in Serbia—green transformation, human capital development, and the strengthening of the rule of law and human rights agenda. Ms. Mordt reiterated the importance of youth in this endeavor, stating, "Young people in Serbia play a central role in shaping our future. We are committed to ensuring their voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes, as outlined in the Pact for the Future."Ms. Mordt further showcased the impact of the United Nations initiatives with youth in Serbia, such as the creation of Serbia's first Declaration on Clean Air, support for mental health and youth employment. These initiatives, she noted, demonstrate the tangible contributions young Serbians make toward environmental and social progress.The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, emphasized the importance of young people's voices in decision-making processes in his address. "Today, as we celebrate United Nations Day, we reaffirm our commitment to building a world where we not only hear but also listen to the voices of the youth. Our young people are not just our future; they are our present, and we deeply value their contributions. I thank the United Nations team for uniting all partners in the celebration of peace and cooperation. Together we are building a brighter future for the generations to come."The event was moderated by Serbian UN Youth Delegates. Attendees engaged with a premiere art installation crafted by young people from Belgrade, symbolizing global interconnectedness in peace and sustainability efforts. Additionally, a photo exhibition showcased the impact of UN initiatives in youth development across Serbia. A performance by the young ART Link jazz trio reinforced the themes of youth empowerment and future aspirations through music."YoUNg Futures" served as a platform to celebrate youth leadership and reaffirm commitments to supporting the rights and aspirations of the younger generations in Serbia. The United Nations and the Government of Serbia look forward to continuing their collaboration, fostering progress for the generations that will shape our world.

New York, 22 September 2024 – World leaders today adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. This Pact is the culmination of an inclusive, years-long process to adapt international cooperation to the realities of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The most wide-ranging international agreement in many years, covering entirely new areas as well as issues on which agreement has not been possible in decades, the Pact aims above all to ensure that international institutions can deliver in the face of a world that has changed dramatically since they were created. As the Secretary-General has said, “we cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.”
 
Overall, the agreement of the Pact is a strong statement of countries’ commitment to the United Nations, the international system and international law.  Leaders set out a clear vision of an international system that can deliver on its promises, is more representative of today’s world and draws on the energy and expertise of governments, civil society and other key partners.
 
“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration on Future Generations open the door to new opportunities and untapped possibilities,” said the Secretary-General during his remarks at the opening of the Summit of the Future. The President of the General Assembly noted that the Pact would “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just, and peaceful global order – for all peoples and nations.”
 
The Pact covers a broad range of issues including peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance. Key deliverables in the Pact include:
 
In the area of peace and securityThe most progressive and concrete commitment to Security Council reform since the 1960s, with plans to improve the effectiveness and representativeness of the Council, including by redressing the historical under-representation of Africa as a priority.The first multilateral recommitment to nuclear disarmament in more than a decade, with a clear commitment to the goal of totally eliminating nuclear weapons.Agreement to strengthen international frameworks that govern outer space, including a clear commitment to prevent an arms race in outer space and the need to ensure all countries can benefit from the safe and sustainable exploration of outer space.Steps to avoid the weaponization and misuse of new technologies, such as lethal autonomous weapons, and affirmation that the laws of war should apply to many of these new technologies.  
On sustainable development, climate and financing for developmentThe entire Pact is designed to turbo-charge implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.The most detailed agreement ever at the United Nations on the need for reform of the international financial architecture so that it better represents and serves developing countries, including: Giving developing countries a greater say in how decisions are taken at international financial institutions;Mobilizing more financing from multilateral development banks to help developing countries meet their development needs;Reviewing the sovereign debt architecture to ensure that developing countries can borrow sustainably to invest in their future, with the IMF, UN, G20 and other key players working together;Strengthening the global financial safety net to protect the poorest in the event of financial and economic shocks, through concrete actions by the IMF and Member States;and accelerating measures to address the challenge of climate change, including through delivering more finance to help countries adapt to climate change and invest in renewable energy.    Improving how we measure human progress, going beyond GDP to capturing human and planetary wellbeing and sustainability.A commitment to consider ways to introduce a global minimum level of taxation on high-net-worth individuals.On climate change, confirmation of the need to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels and to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 
On digital cooperationThe Global Digital Compact, annexed to the Pact, is the first comprehensive global framework for digital cooperation and AI governance.At the heart of the Compact is a commitment to design, use and govern technology for the benefit of all. This includes commitments by world leaders to: Connect all people, schools and hospitals to the Internet;Anchor digital cooperation in human rights and international law;Make the online space safe for all, especially children, through actions by governments, tech companies and social media;Govern Artificial Intelligence, with a roadmap that includes an International Scientific Panel and a Global Policy Dialogue on AI;Make data more open and accessible, with agreements on open-source data, models, and standards;This is also the first global commitment to data governance, placing it on the UN agenda and requiring countries to take concrete actions by 2030. 
Youth and future generationsThe first ever Declaration on Future Generations, with concrete steps to take account of future generations in our decision-making, including a possible envoy for future generations.A commitment to more meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in the decisions that shape their lives, especially at the global level. 
Human rights and genderA strengthening of our work on human rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women.A clear call on the need to protect human rights defenders.Strong signals on the importance of engagement of other stakeholders in global governance, including local and regional governments, civil society, private sector and others. 
There are provisions across the Pact and its annexes for follow-up action, to ensure that the commitments made are implemented.
 
Summit Process
The Summit process and the Pact have been deeply enriched by the contributions of millions of voices and thousands of stakeholders from around the world.

The Summit brought together over 4000 individuals from Heads of State and Government, observers, IGOs, UN System, civil society and non-governmental organizations. In a broader push to increase the engagement of diverse actors, the formal Summit was preceded by the Action Days from 20-21 September, which attracted more than 7,000 individuals representing all segments of society. The Action Days featured strong commitments to action by all stakeholders, as well as pledges of USD 1.05 billion to advance digital inclusion.### 
For more information:  https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future
Media contacts:
Francyne Harrigan, United Nations Department of Global Communications | harriganf@un.org
Stefania Piffanelli, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, United Nations | piffanelli@un.org
Jackquelyn Kay Topacio, Executive Office of the Secretary-General, United Nations | jackquelyn.topacio@un.org

 

"Participating in political processes where change is initiated and decisions are made whether at the local, regional or national level is the most powerful platform for change. Representative bodies should reflect the structure of the population. As we are collecting data on the population that is gender disaggregated, we should do something with it to enable everyone exercise equally their human rights. The right to political participation is one of the basic rights and that is a sufficient reason not to deny it to women. Political participation itself does not guarantee power and influence, but it is a basic prerequisite.On the Serbian political scene, women are generally not competing with their male counterparts. As if there is an A list or the first league which is male and a B or second league which is female. I believe that no man sees a woman as competition, regardless of what qualifications she has, because he is aware that he is always in a better position. On the other hand, a woman with a disability can eventually see another woman as competition, although due to the double discrimination she is facing, she belongs to a third league. A woman with disability is at a disadvantage compared to a man on at least two grounds- as a woman and as a person with disability.Earlier in my career, when I was a parliamentary member, I had proposed amendments to the Law on the Election of Members of Parliament, which stipulated the obligation of political parties to nominate at least one person with disability who would be guaranteed seat in the Parliament if the party passes the minimum stipulated threshold. Not a single argument was received to challenge this proposal, but the proposed amendments were not accepted in the end. The quota system is a good initial affirmative measure as it would otherwise be difficult to motivate women with disabilities to enter a race that is already lost. In addition, it is necessary to consider amending the Law on the financing of political activities and providing additional financial resources to political parties that have a delegate with a disability. Actively engaging in politics, which is more than exercising the right to vote, is a job or a profession like any other. It requires full commitment of the people who deal with it. In a rather patriarchal society such as ours, women are facing gender-imposed roles- all household and family responsibilities burden women to a greater extent, and this work is also unpaid, not leaving much room for a career. Women with disabilities are additionally facing physical and communication barriers as well as barriers in attitudes among general population. In addition, basic things such as accessible public transport, accessible facilities, accessible information, support services and affirmative programs for greater participation of women with disabilities in political and public life are missing.On the other hand, in the context of women in politics, violence in the digital sphere is extremely present, because we live in a culture of reduced tolerance. Many people post things they would never say in person. In some countries there are initiatives to adopt laws against hate speech on the Internet. In addition to legislation changes, constant campaigns are needed that draw attention to all the dangers of cyber violence, both for the perpetrator and the victim.Moreover, it is extremely important what kind of message representatives of the highest state institutions are sending. In this regard, we have two very significant and positive things in Serbia. One is that the Law on Gender Equality was adopted in the Republic of Serbia in 2021, and the other is that a Ministry was formed in the newly elected Government to deal with gender equality. This sends a strong message that the state recognizes the importance of the issue, but also that it will systematically work to create conditions towards full gender equality."