The United Nations in Serbia

The UN has been present in the Republic of Serbia (and the former Yugoslavia) since the beginning of the crisis in the Region in early nineties. The UN Country Team (UNCT) has been working with the Government of the Republic of Serbia since early 2000s.

UNCT in Serbia currently comprises 20 UN Agencies, Funds and Programs, both resident and non-resident who work together to advance national development priorities in line with the Agenda 2030 and 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Team is coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator and operates under the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2021-2025) signed between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the UN Country Team. The Framework is a road map with three strategic priorities:

  1. Serbia harnesses the full potential of a green, sustainable and inclusive economy - Increasing opportunities for all, and reducing risks
  2. Wellbeing, social equity, and the human potential are at the heart of systems, policies and practices - Everyone has equal opportunities, throughout their life, to achieve their full potential
  3. Building trust and mutual accountability through the rule of law, rights and duties agenda - Fostering transparency, fairness and effectiveness

The UN presence in Serbia also includes the United Nations Office in Belgrade (UNOB). By agreement with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, UNOB conducts political reporting and liaison functions. UNOB is the main channel of communication between the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Government of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the diplomatic community in Belgrade on matters relating to the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999). The Office facilitates the contacts of UNMIK, including those of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and provides assistance, when requested, to UNMIK and other international presences in Kosovo. UNOB reports to the United Nations Department for Peace Operations and UNMIK on all Kosovo-related issues. UNOB also monitors regional developments in the Western Balkans of relevance to the United Nations. It reports to the United Nations Department for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and UNMIK on all non-Kosovo-related regional issues. UNOB also works closely with the United Nations Country Teams and other partners on these regional issues.

Milestones

1

Serbia adopts and implements climate change and environmentally friendly strategies that increase community resilience, decrease carbon footprint and amplify the benefits of national investments

2

Natural & Cultural Resources are managed in a sustainable way 

3

Equitable economic and employment opportunities are promoted through innovation

4

Universal and inclusive access to quality health, social and protection services is improved

5

Skills, education and capabilities are enhanced to ensure equitable outcomes for all

6

Mobility and demographic transition become vectors for positive change and prosperity for all people

7

All people, especially the more vulnerable, benefit from the realization of human rights, gender equality and enhanced rule of law in line with international commitments

8

All people benefit from effective governance and meaningful civic engagement

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Serbia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Serbia: