SKOPJE — Dozens of citizens and environmental activists rallied in Skopje on Saturday, January 31, 2026, calling for urgent and decisive action against air pollution, with particular focus on the operations of the Usje Cement Factory, one of the major industrial sources blamed for the capital’s persistently hazardous air quality.
The demonstration, organized by the civic initiative “Stop for Usje,” began in front of the government building in central Skopje. Protesters carried banners reading “Air is not a luxury, it is a right,” “Stop Usje,” and “For them profit, for us disease.” They demanded that the cement plant operate in full compliance with environmental standards and that authorities prioritize public health over industrial interests.
After speeches in front of the government complex, the group marched toward the parliament building and the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, chanting slogans and urging immediate enforcement of stricter emission controls and monitoring at the factory.
Aleksandar Todeski, one of the prominent activists with “Stop for Usje,” addressed the crowd, insisting that state institutions must finally act in the interest of citizens rather than protecting corporate interests. “We will not stop until real measures are taken,” Todeski declared, announcing that demonstrations would continue until concrete steps are visible.
Skopje has long ranked among the most polluted capitals in Europe and frequently appears on global lists of the world’s most polluted cities, especially during the winter months when temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. Particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels regularly exceed World Health Organization guideline values by several times, contributing to serious public health concerns, including respiratory diseases and premature deaths.
The Usje Cement Factory, owned by the Swiss-based multinational Titan Group, has been repeatedly identified by environmental NGOs, independent air-quality monitors, and local researchers as one of the primary stationary sources of particulate pollution, heavy metals, and other toxic emissions in the Skopje valley. Critics argue that lax enforcement of emission standards and insufficient continuous monitoring allow the plant to operate in violation of national and EU-aligned environmental legislation.
In December 2025, the Skopje Metropolitan City Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski to formally request that the central government initiate proceedings to relocate the cement factory away from densely populated residential areas. The decision reflected growing public pressure and scientific evidence linking industrial emissions to the city’s chronic air-quality crisis.
The Saturday protest received support from several environmental organizations, youth groups, and health professionals. Participants emphasized that air pollution is a public health emergency rather than a seasonal inconvenience, and they accused successive governments of failing to enforce existing laws or adopt sufficiently ambitious measures.
The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning has not issued an immediate official response to Saturday’s demonstration. However, in previous statements, ministry officials have acknowledged the severity of Skopje’s air pollution problem and pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen monitoring networks, promote cleaner heating alternatives, and enforce industrial emission standards.
The “Stop for Usje” initiative has vowed to maintain public pressure until verifiable improvements are achieved, including the installation of real-time emission monitoring at the factory, stricter enforcement of limit values, and a credible timeline for relocating the plant or fundamentally upgrading its environmental performance.
As winter inversions continue to trap pollutants in the Skopje valley, activists warn that without swift and effective action, the health costs to the population — especially children and the elderly — will keep rising.
