By Marko Ingjilizov ’27

On Friday, September 27, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a cocktail reception hosted by the President of Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Timco Mucunski, at the Macedonian Gallery in New York. Held on the sidelines
of the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations, the evening celebrated three decades of Macedonia’s role within the UN.

The gathering brought together members of the vibrant Macedonian diaspora in the United States. Among the guests were representatives of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, who have offered Macedonian language and traditional dance classes to children for decades, as well
as Macedonians working within the United Nations, leading crucial humanitarian and peacekeeping initiatives around the globe. The event was a heartwarming opportunity to connect, share our common heritage, and reflect on the enduring values that we, as Macedonians, carry
with us and share with the world.

Minister Mucunski delivered insightful remarks on the importance of international peace and Macedonia’s commitment to upholding it despite its small size. He underscored the necessity of global cooperation and bridging differences to ensure a more harmonious world. He also
emphasized Macedonia’s meaningful contributions as a member of the global UN family and called for even greater cohesion within the international community.

President Siljanovska Davkova spoke passionately about her role as the first female President of Macedonia and one of only 31 female heads of state worldwide. Her words served as an inspiration to strive for greater gender balance in politics in Macedonia and beyond. She
expressed her commitment to increasing the voice and power of the UN General Assembly as the true voice of the people and expressed her doubts that increased membership in the Security Council would lead to a great democratic representation. President Siljanovska Davkova
advocated for Macedonia’s continued engagement in multilateral institutions and highlighted the importance of active diaspora involvement in shaping Macedonia’s future. In addition, she underscored her dedication to addressing the youth brain drain, along with giving voice to the
marginalized and underrepresented in Macedonian society.

It was a personal honor to engage in conversation with both President Siljanovska Davkova and Minister Mucunski, whose words filled me with a renewed sense of optimism and hope for our country’s future. President Siljanovska Davkova—beyond her role as a head of state, a distinguished constitutional law professor, and a former expert in the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission—expressed her eagerness to visit Princeton and potentially deliver a guest lecture.

The evening at the Macedonian Gallery was generously sponsored by the Program in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.