United Nations in Serbia launches 2023 Annual Results Report

Belgrade, 18 April 2024 - The United Nations has launched its 2023 Results Report, demonstrating significant advancements accomplished in partnership with the Government of Serbia. This collective effort, comprised of 20 UN agencies, funds and programmes, is centered around accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals within 3 strategic areas: green transformation, human capital development, and fortification of the Rule of Law and Human Rights agenda. Adhering to the overarching UN principle of 'Leave no One Behind,' the UN agencies, funds, and programmes in Serbia have contributed over USD 80 million over the past year.

UN focused on supporting strategies to reduce energy intensity and emissions and increase the country’s renewable energy, including energy efficiency, energy poverty, air pollution and the economy transformation. 

These strategies also considered the just transition of the economy, advocating for fairness and social justice in the shift towards a low-carbon economy. The implementation of these actions has resulted in remarkable outcomes: public buildings now use 30% less energy and have 20% lower CO2 emissions; 60 business solutions worth $30 million have been launched to improve energy efficiency, increase renewable energy, and decrease energy poverty; 31 Local Self Governments have laid the foundational strategies for sustainable urban development. Furthermore, by supporting over 600 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in digitalization, finance, and the green & circular economy, 270 new jobs have been created.

The UN continued to promote universal access to quality health services and strengthen the resilience of the public health system to shocks and crises, including through an enhanced e-Health agenda. Access to social protection services to those left further behind, including Roma, disadvantaged women, young people leaving supervised care, persons with disabilities, and older persons has been extended. The process of making education more inclusive—including for migrants and refugees—gathered pace, in partnership with LSGs, teachers and advisory bodies. Over the course of the year, 35,000 children and caregivers benefited from innovative early childhood services; over 300 families on the brink of poverty found new homes, while a voluntary surrender campaign was able to collect more than 82,000 firearms merely one month after tragic events from May 2023. Free medical, legal and psychological counseling services were provided to 7,000 women; while support was extended to women and girls from six Roma settlements across Belgrade in health literacy and women with disabilities, enabling them to advocate for their own sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The UN supported Serbia in aligning with international human rights and gender equality standards through harmonization with international commitments in a year-long HR campaign to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Other areas of support prioritized the of anticorruption and anti-trafficking measures. Efforts to enhance governance systems at the local level were boosted, with increased capacity for gender- and child-responsive budgeting, and supporting people-centred digital transformation. The UN continued to extend protection to migrants and refugees through policy development and legal assistance,  including the identification of close to 800 individuals at risk of statelessness across informal settlements as part of the #IBelong campaign. A national initiative on inheritance rights reached over 3 million people, while a national immunisation campaign informed 1 million people at risk. Intercommunal trust, understanding, and respect for diversity increased notably among 500 youths. 

Through the dedicated collaboration and ongoing commitment of the United Nations in coordination with the Government of Serbia, the country is making substantial strides towards a sustainable and just future. The road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, yet brimming with opportunities and hope for the citizens of Serbia. It is imperative that no one is left behind, as we navigate the journey towards advancement and growth, as country navigates the journey towards advancement and growth.