Positive Changes in Countries Part 37 of a Multi-part Series – Protective Governments, Protective Citizens: Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar

Macau is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. The Macau SAR government aims to develop Macau into a sustainable city. In 2010, Macau implemented regulations and policies for solar energy development, which has encouraged the country to take on the approach of rooftop solar panels and grid-connected photovoltaic systems. Macau is set to build into a smart city with its development plan that started in 2016, making positive progress. In addition, e-payment, e-banking, and e-government have considerably eased the Macanese livelihood during the global COVID-19 pandemic. What's more, the Macanese are wisely and passionately embracing plant-based foods. Currently, Macau has over 25 vegan/vegetarian restaurants.

North Macedonia is a small nation in the Balkan Peninsular of Southeast Europe. In 2020, North Macedonia successfully became the 30th member of NATO. North Macedonia has increased her political and economic ties with the Western Balkan countries to encourage economic growth. Furthermore, North Macedonia was one of the first countries to have total access to wireless-broadband connections in 2006. The wise government of North Macedonia then proactively invested in adopting digital technologies as one of the key strategies in economic development.

Madagascar is an African island country in the southwest Indian ocean separated from the African continent by the Mozambique channel. Madagascar actively promotes solar energy which has stimulated continuous economic growth from 2010 to 2019 for 20% of the population in urban areas. The government aims to benefit the rural areas by increasing the electricity connection rate to 70 % by 2030. In January 2017, the Malagasy government implemented a new nationality law guaranteeing equal rights for women and men to bestow their nationality on their children. Heavy forest loss in Madagascar has brought a tremendous threat to its exceptional biodiversity and the livelihood of rural communities. Recognizing this, on January 19, 2020, Madagascar launched a national drive to plant 60 million trees. His Excellency President Rajoelina's administration initiated a plan to plant 40,000 hectares per year.