At the invitation of the Ministry of Local Self-Government, and within the project "Sustainable and Inclusive Balanced Regional Development – Phase II," a delegation from the State Audit Office, led by the Auditor General Mr. Maksim Acevski, attended the International Conference on Regional Development titled “Regional Development in a Rapidly Changing World – The Future Starts Locally: A New Vision for Sustainable and Balanced Development,” held in Gevgelija from 8 to 9 July 2025.
Opening addresses at the conference were delivered by the Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia, Prof. Dr. Hristijan Mickoski, the Minister of Local Self-Government, Mr. Zlatko Perinski, and the Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of North Macedonia, H.E. Véronique Hulmann.
Auditor General Mr. Maksim Acevski participated in the panel session titled “Transformative Policies: Addressing Key Challenges in Regional Development,” where he emphasized the role and contribution of the State Audit Office in improving citizens' lives through “building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels,” as well as the efficient management of programs and activities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Investments in balanced regional development bring benefits not only for the regions, citizens, and legal entities, but also serve as a fundamental prerequisite for sustaining settlements, improving demographic conditions, preventing migration, and enabling the provision of equally high-quality and timely services to all citizens.
To achieve this, greater commitment is needed at the central, regional, and especially local levels, focusing on strengthening the capacities of local self-government to meet all challenges, increasing the use of financial resources, improving project and program implementation, and raising the quality of services. These efforts, as emphasized by Auditor General Mr. Maksim Acevski in his address, ultimately lead to a better quality of life for all citizens.
