Of the myriad of environmental problems in Serbia, we are most concerned with the proposed Rio Tinto-operated Jadar lithium mine. As reported by The Guardian, Rio Tinto executives told EU officials that the development of the mine will begin after the March 2022 elections in Serbia. This amounts to strategic manipulation of Serbia’s democratic process by foreign corporations and governments.

As the regional implementation leader of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda in the Western Balkans, 28. Jun is obliged to communicate on the deteriorating ecological situation and its potential for humanitarian crisis. We will use our Special Consultative Status with the United Nations to enlist, organize and shape public support of necessary policy changes to benefit the people of Serbia.

Our report will be submitted to the United Nations, the Serbian Ministry of Environmental Protection and made public before the March 2022 elections. In addition to the communiqué, 28. Jun will make contributions in support of environmental projects to both municipal governments and civil society organizations in Serbia. Our foray into the battle to protect our land, air and water begins immediately.

28. Jun’s delegation returned to the United Nations in New York for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began. The town hall meeting, hosted by Abdulla Shahid, President of the UN General Assembly, was the first in-person event to be held for civil society organizations this year.

In his address Mr. Shahid stated “As President of the United Nations General Assembly for this 76th session, I have chosen the theme of ‘hope’ and have selected five priorities to help usher in a more responsive and inclusive multilateral system. These priorities include recovering from COVID-19, rebuilding sustainably, responding to the needs of the planet, respecting the rights of all, and revitalizing the United Nations.”

The previous week, our Swiss UN delegation attended Geneva Peace Week in the humanitarian capital of the world— Geneva, Switzerland. ⁣They had the honor of hearing the former president of Liberia and Nobel Laureate, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, give a moving speech on the topic of peace.

28. Jun is committed to becoming the regional implementation leader of the SDG agenda in this world-defining decade, through our continued work with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.