UNDP has significantly contributed to the advancement of the rule of law in Kosovo, developing skilled personnel and gender equality, said a report presented to mark the 15th anniversary of the organization in Kosovo.

UNDP chief in Kosovo, Andrew Russell, said that the role of international organizations becomes over the years increasingly important in Kosovo.

Russell said that UNDP prepared a good strategy to continue establishing the rule of law in Kosovo, as well as strategies for reducing unemployment, more effective legislation and many other areas.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will present today annual results on the 15th anniversary of its work in Kosovo. Andrew Russell, UN Kosovo Team coordinator and UNDP permanent representative will host the event that is expected to gather officials from the local and central Kosovo government, donors, international community, civil society, media and other stakeholders. Conclusions and recommendations that will emerge from the meeting will serve as a guideline for adapting programme framework for the coming years.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will launch today the global innovation week, SHIFT, and in cooperation with Municipality of Gjakova, there will be direct consultations with citizens to identify what ate the main issues in the environment field and design adequate solutions.

Representatives of the UNDP in Kosovo and local authorities in Dragash municipality signed on Thursday a territorial employment pact drafted by the Austrian Agency for Development. Andrew Russell, UN Kosovo Team coordinator and UNDP representative, said that the project is aimed at supporting human resources and improvement of local infrastructure. “The project involves those persons, especially the youth that have potential for the labour market. Building of new skills that the labour market requires, especially empowerment of the youth from different communities”, said Russell.

A report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on human development for 2014 speaks of levels in human development continuing to rise but the pace has slowed for all regions.

The report stresses that risks such as financial crisis, unsteady food prices, natural disasters and violent conflicts can to a large degree hinder progress.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Assembly of Kosovo have signed an agreement for admission of twelve interns in the Assembly. The move is part of the parliamentary development project on social policies.

Agreement was signed by the UNDP director for Kosovo and United Nations Kosovo Team coordinator, Andrew Russell, and the General Secretary of the Kosovo Assembly, Ismet Krasniqi.

Involvement of interns in the Assembly’s work will enable them to get professional knowledge from the parliamentary field during a period of one year.

Mayor of Gjakova/Djakovica, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, singed with the UNDP representative, Andrew Russell, a memorandum for an anti-corruption project.

“International cooperation and awarded projects without a doubt will result in the increase of the level of services in the Municipality of Gjakova, increase of transparency, social reintegration and economic sustainability”, said Kusari-Lila.

According to the UNDP report, 82 per cent of unemployed people in Kosovo have no work experience, while 57 per cent of them are illiterate.

The problem of youth unemployment is one of the most pressing issues in Kosovo. According to UNDP, in Kosovo only 31 per cent of the population is employed. Problem is, as they say, an insufficient number of educated people.

Djordje Borisavljevic is a third year student at a technical college in North Mitrovica. He said that after the completion of the Secondary technical school, he did not doubt whether he should enrol in a college.