United Nations in Montenegro

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Montenegro:

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28 November 2023

Latest: UN Montenegro Snapshots

Interested in the work of UN team on the ground?You're at the right place. Take a tour below through the review of monthly newsletters - UN Snapshots - where you can find major actions and results the UN team achieved together with partners in Montenegro. Latest... Highlights from UN's work in Montenegro in 2023 Highlights from UN's work in Montenegro in 2022 Highlights from UN's work in Montenegro in 2021

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23 October 2023

European Union and Austria signed a partnership within the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund

Podgorica, 23 October 2023. High representatives of the Delegation of the European Union, Austria and the United Nations system in Montenegro, in the presence of the President and Prime Minister of Montenegro, signed an agreement on the allocation of funds to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund. The Fund is a new generation financial tool established by the UN team in the country, which seeks to pool donor funds that will be directed towards development initiatives. Click here to donate to Sustainable Development of Montenegro The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, said that the Fund is not only a financial mechanism, but a powerful means of influence adding that “today's gathering signifies the strength of Montenegro's partnership with the United Nations, the European Union and partner countries.” "Our country has shown its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging this initiative and supporting the implementation of the Strategic Framework of Cooperation agreed by the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations. We have also sent a clear signal that Montenegro is focused on development in strategic areas by making a significant contribution to the Fund and paving a way for other countries to do it." – said Milatović. "With this initiative, we promote the values of the UN, but also generate new value for the citizens of Montenegro. This is the best indicator that a good and inclusive policy pays off and that Montenegro has friends all over the world. We owe a gratitude to the EU, which strongly supports us in this way as well. I invite other countries to join in doing things together, not only for the benefit of Montenegro, but also to send a message of peace and prosperity to everyone, because Montenegro, as an ecological country, is entitled to advocate the Sustainable Development Goals." - said the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović. The European Union allocated two million EUR for the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, while Austria allocated EUR 1.5 million for this purpose. The Ambassador of the European Union in Montenegro, Oana Kristina Popa, said that support to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund is a new and innovative form of cooperation. "We are establishing a unique framework that will allow us access to all 18 UN agencies working in Montenegro. Thus, we will make the best use of their expertise in supporting the necessary reforms and development efforts of Montenegro. Support to the Fund is part of the EU aid package called the Instrument for Reforms, which was created to support Montenegro in solving difficult and structural obstacles to growth, and will include other international organizations, such as the EBRD and the World Bank," said Popa. "Austria is joining this partnership because of its’ unique setup, its transformative and innovative potential. As such, the Fund is aligned with Austrian foreign policy – to support multilateralism through a strong role of the United Nations, and to support the European perspective of the Western Balkans to progress decisively on their path towards joining the EU - also in the interest of regional stability," said Karl Müller, Ambassador of Austria to Montenegro Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund supports the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027, a strategic five-year cooperation plan of the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations. By consolidating and directing funds towards development interventions, this Fund aims to provide strategic support for the acceleration of Montenegro's accession to the European Union and at the same time the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030. UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, thanked the European Union and Austria for joining the Fund. "What we are building in Montenegro with this Fund is a precedent in the development system of the United Nations and an inspiration to other countries. We are very proud to present to you today a new platform for donations and the launch of the Fund's partnership with the private sector. The donor platform, as one of the proofs of the Fund's innovative and inclusive approaches, represents an invitation to the private sector, individuals and friends of Montenegro and United Nations to get involved in supporting the sustainable development of the country," said Lundberg, announcing the first partnership of that kind with the Electric Power Company of Montenegro. The latest contributions are continuation of support to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund. Previously, contributions to this Fund were provided by the governments of Luxembourg, Switzerland and Montenegro. The Fund is designed to support strategic initiatives in three priority areas of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027: 1) inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability, 2) human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion and 3) social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.

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26 September 2023

Montenegro: Failure to ensure judicial independence hindering access to justice, says UN expert

Podgorica, 26 September 2023 The failure to elect the seventh member of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme State Prosecutor and new lay members of the judicial council has put plans for judicial reform at risk in Montenegro, a UN expert said today. “The failure to ensure the independence and integrity of the judicial system in Montenegro is hindering access to justice for its citizens,” said Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers in a statement at end of an official visit to the country. Satterthwaite said Montenegro’s Parliament had failed, on multiple occasions, to elect the seventh member of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme State Prosecutor, and new lay members of the Judicial Council. “As a result, strategic leadership in these institutions is lacking, and planning and action for reform of the system is not possible. Members of Parliament must put the interests of their country above politics, and ensure these appointments take place without any further delay,” the expert said. During her visit, Satterthwaite met with judges and prosecutors who reported working in conditions that were manifestly underfunded. Buildings were old, too small, and in a poor state of repair. There was insufficient office space, creating security risks for judges and prosecutors and IT and digitalisation was severely lacking, the Special Rapporteur found. “During my visits to courts, I was shocked to see and hear about inadequate facilities for storage of archives and evidence, including firearms and drugs,” the expert said. Satterthwaite said that while various governments had outlined plans for new court buildings over the years, the plans had not resulted in concrete improvements. She called for additional resources to be provided and decisions on allocation taken with the strictest respect for the principle of judicial and prosecutorial independence. The Special Rapporteur met many organisations that described being repeatedly excluded, overlooked, or mistreated by the system. Groups representing persons with disabilities, women survivors of intimate partner and family violence, Roma, LGBT persons and others spoke of excessive delays, insensitive or uninformed judges and prosecutors, and a lack of political will to make progress. Satterthwaite said she recognised the energy and commitment of individuals she met in every part of the judicial system and civil society, who were sincerely working, in good faith, to provide justice and serve their country. “I salute their efforts and stand ready to offer my assistance and support. I encourage all others in Montenegro and the broader international community to do the same,” the expert said. She noted that while many of the laws and systems necessary to ensure independence, integrity and quality justice services were now in place in Montenegro, implementation remains deficient. “If Montenegro cannot, or will not, take steps to ensure the independent, impartial and competent functioning of the judicial system, then a radical accountability measure, such as vetting, must be considered,” Satterthwaite said. The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report containing her findings and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2024. ENDS *The expert: Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. She was appointed as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers by the Human Rights Council in October 2022. Professor Satterthwaite is an international human rights scholar and practitioner with decades of experience in the field. She is a Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law. The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, Country Page - Montenegro For further information and media requests, please to hrc-sr-independencejl@un.org For media inquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) Follow news related to the UN's independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts. Concerned about the world we live in?
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20 June 2023

Words can be weapons. #NoToHate

Podgorica, 19 June 2023 Widespread hate speech among young people, its root causes and consequences were at the centre of a dialogue with young people organized by the UN team in Montenegro organised with drama studio “Prazan prostor (Empty Space)” to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, 18 June, in Podgoric’s Dodest theatre. The event gathered around 60 young people of different ages, different segments of society, from groups that often face hate speech, and representatives of the Protector for Human Rights and Freedoms and of international partners - the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. “Fighting hate speech is critically important for the UN. It is, as the Secretary-General has said, a toxic and destructive phenomenon. It goes against the very fundamental promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 75th anniversary we commemorate this year, and which remains as relevant today as it was then,” said Anjet Lanting, Human Rights Adviser in the UN team in Montenegro. In a dynamic and open discussion, young people agreed that hate speech is omnipresent in their communities, pointing out that the response of society is not nearly sufficient. The dialogue saw an exchange of experiences, touching testimonies, and concrete examples faced by young people, who identified some of the root causes and key drivers of hate speech. Patriarchal stereotypes, unregulated social media and the lack of prioritizing this problem were just some of the causes mentioned in discussion. “Hate speech is used at every step and every day, on any possible ground – gender, sexual orientation, nationality, political affiliation, wealth status, popularity in the group… all of these,” said 17-years old Asmir, pointing that at times people justify hate speech by referring to the freedom of speech. The dialogue with young people was inspired by young actors’ short performances of real-life situations and the short movie “Love and Violence”. The movie depicts a play by young actors of real-life situations and of gender-based hate speech and violence experienced by adolescents. The play is performed in the so-called ‘forum theatre’ – an interactive format with interruptions by moderators at critical moments to engage the audience in discussion. “What we saw in the movie is very realistic, something that we witness or experience almost on daily basis,” said 12-year-old Iva, noting that hate speech is too often ignored or covered up. Facilitators from drama studio “Prazan prostor” Marija and Mirko, who have vast experience in facilitating dialogues on this topic, steered the discussion towards helping the young audience to understand the nature of hate speech and to getting them to share their views. “It’s always fascinating but at the same time shocking when young people unlock their experiences and their attitudes,” said Marija emphasizing that society has an unacceptable level of tolerance towards hate speech and that hate speech these days seems to have become normalized. “What we heard today is hard hitting, uncomfortable, but it was clear: hate speech and violence in the home, in schools, in media and in society are very real. Young people shared touching experiences, but also important ideas of what they can and will do themselves, and what parents, teachers and leaders should do to stop hate speech and violence,” concluded Anjet Lanting. The dialogue with young people on hate speech was organized within the initiative to mark the 75th anniversary of Universal Human Rights Declaration - #HR75. The UN Human Rights Office funded the event. Photo Gallery

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26 December 2024

Citizens and Institutions in Action for Social Cohesion

Podgorica, 4-5 December 2024Over 140 citizens of Podgorica, together with representatives of local institutions, the United Nations, and the Government of Montenegro, participated in the Podgorica Dialogue as part of the UN Joint Programme Together for the Common Good. Through open discussions, innovative activities, and collaborative efforts, participants identified key challenges and proposed solutions to strengthen social cohesion and improve quality of life in the local community.“In a time when UN values are under attack, we must be mindful of the issues that divide society. Trust lies at the heart of social cohesion,” said UN Resident Coordinator Diego Zorilla at the opening the event. UNDP Resident Representative Ekaterina Paniklova highlighted that Montenegro advances on its path toward European Union membership and it does so guided by values that foster social harmony. "Human dignity, democracy, equality, human rights...These principles are essential for building trust and solidarity within and among communities,” said Paniklova.Representing the Government of Montenegro, Vučić Ćetković, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Culture and Youth, emphasized that “the strength of a community is not in its size but in its deep connection. We are building a society where no one is left behind.”Ideas from this exchange will shape the upcoming Social Cohesion Innovation Lab, transforming the shared vision of a connected and inclusive community into tangible actions. The programme Together for Common Good - Enhancing citizens’ trust in institutions and building resilient communities is implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO in cooperation with Government of Montenegro. The programme is funded by UN Peacebuilding Fund.

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20 December 2024

Culture and the Arts as Pillars for Sustainable Development

Herceg Novi, Montenegro, 5-6 December 2024In a significant step toward recognizing the transformative power of culture in sustainable development, Montenegro, during its presidency of the regional initiative Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe (CoMoCoSEE), selected the theme “Culture and Arts for Sustainable Development.” The ministerial meeting, held in Herceg Novi on December 5-6, 2024, was organized with the support of the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe. The meeting was attended, in addition to Montenegro as the chairing country, by delegations from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey, as well as delegations of observers from UNESCO and Italy. The event culminated in the adoption of the “Herceg Novi Declaration on Culture and Arts for Sustainable Development.” This landmark commitment underscores the vital role that creativity, heritage, and artistic expression play in fostering inclusive and sustainable societies. By positioning culture and the arts as cornerstones for development, Montenegro joins a growing international movement that recognizes culture’s capacity to drive social cohesion, economic growth, and environmental responsibility.Sustainable development extends beyond economic and environmental progress—it embraces people, identity, and shared values. Cultural heritage and artistic creation empower societies to reflect on challenges, articulate collective aspirations, and envision innovative solutions for a sustainable future. The Herceg Novi Declaration highlights key principles central to UNESCO's mission, including cultural diversity and inclusion by promoting cultural dialogue, safeguarding heritage, and empowering marginalized voices to ensure inclusive development. It also emphasizes education and lifelong learning by integrating the arts into educational systems to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of sustainability challenges. Furthermore, the Declaration recognizes innovation and economic growth by identifying creative industries as essential drivers of job creation, entrepreneurship, and cultural tourism.This initiative aligns with UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which advocates for policies that elevate culture as a key component of sustainable development. It also reaffirms and localizes commitments made during the MONDIACULT 2022 conference, where culture was positioned as a crucial driver for sustainable and inclusive policies. CoMoCoSEE’s adoption of the Herceg Novi Declaration demonstrates a progressive step toward aligning national cultural policies with global sustainability goals.UNESCO welcomes CoMoCoSEE’s dedication and remains committed to supporting the countries with technical expertise, capacity-building, and international cooperation to implement these ambitious cultural policies. As the region embarks on this path, UNESCO stands ready to collaborate, ensuring that culture and the arts continue to inspire progress, empower communities, and shape a better world for generations to come. This includes further support for North Macedonia, which has taken over the presidency from Montenegro and will host the next meeting of this important regional initiative.CoMoCoSEE represents the most significant regional platform in the field of culture, serving as a space for the exchange of experiences, the establishment of new, joint models of cooperation, and the alignment of cultural policy priorities. This regional council currently brings together 12 member states, two observer states, and three international organizations also in the capacity of observers.

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12 November 2024

Joint Statement by the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro and UNESCO regarding the attack on journalist of newspaper Pobjeda

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Montenegro and UNESCO express their deep concern and strongly condemn the recent attack on journalist Ana Raičković of the daily newspaper Pobjeda.Media freedom and the safety of journalists are essential foundations of a democratic society. Journalists play a vital role in informing the public, exposing wrongdoings, and holding both governments and institutions accountable. Every threat and attack against journalists undermine these core values and contributes to a climate of fear and insecurity where freedom of expression cannot thrive.We commend the relevant authorities for the swift arrests made in connection with this attack and encourage them to urgently finalize the investigation bring those responsible to justice and take all necessary measures to ensure that journalists can perform their work without fear for their safety. Furthermore, we urge all relevant institutions and organizations to strengthen efforts to promote and protect journalists' rights in the country, as attacks on journalists represent a serious assault on freedom of expression, the right to access to information, and core democratic values.In the spirit of cooperation and commitment to the protection of human rights, UNESCO and the United Nations in Montenegro will continue to support initiatives that secure a free, safe, and independent media space in Montenegro, which is also a fundamental requirement for Montenegro’s path toward EU accession.

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08 November 2024

Leaders in Europe and Central Asia jointly call for strengthened disaster resilience and climate action ahead of COP29

Budva, Montenegro – 8 November 2024The 2024 Europe and Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction concluded today in Budva, Montenegro, bringing together over 700 participants, including ministers, civil protection leaders, and diverse stakeholders from 55 UN Member States.In a show of unity, Member States endorsed a political declaration that committed to strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and addressing the growing impacts of climate change in the region, ahead of the COP29 conference taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, next week. They acknowledged the escalating risks across the region, exacerbated by climate change, economic vulnerabilities, and geopolitical tensions, and committed to four targeted actions in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the regional DRR Roadmap 2021-2030: 1. Integrated Action on DRR and Climate Resilience: Member States committed to scaling up integrated actions on disaster risk reduction and climate change. This includes setting more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that not only meet climate targets but also prepare communities for future disasters.2. Inclusive Risk Governance: Member States committed to meaningfully engage all sectors of government and society, with a focus on marginalized groups, to ensure disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation policies are inclusive and effective for all communities.3. Increased Financing for Resilience: Member States committed to enhancing disaster and climate risk financing. This involves prioritizing investments in resilient and green infrastructure capable of withstanding climate impacts and natural hazards, with a focus on nature-based solutions and sustainable technologies.4. Enhanced Early Warning Systems: Member States committed to improving multi-hazard early warning systems (EWS) to ensure timely and accurate and accessible alerts for all hazards. The goal is to expand EWS coverage to protect every person globally by 2027, in line with UN targets.These commitments underscore the determination of Member States to work collaboratively in building a resilient future for communities across the region. They committed to echo these pledges at COP29 in Baku, and to pursuing intensified actions address climate-driven risks and other natural hazards. Additionally, the Platform launched the Montenegro Call for Action on Earthquake Preparedness and Recovery, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, improving technical capacity, and driving investments toward earthquake resilience. Danilo Šaranović, Minister of the Interior of Montenegro, said: “The issue of natural hazards is not limited to individual countries. The fact that certain countries in Europe and Central Asia share fault lines and seismic zones highlights the significant impact of earthquakes not only on the country where they occur but also on neighbouring countries. Therefore, mutual cooperation is essential in disaster prevention to mitigate and reduce the impact of earthquakes. At the ministerial roundtable, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to building a safer and more resilient future for our communities, economies, and ecosystems. We also discussed the next steps in implementing disaster risk reduction measures across Europe and Central Asia.”Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction: “I welcome the Political Declaration issued by the countries of Europe and Central Asia, which commits the region to higher levels of action to reduce the human and economic costs of disasters. This declaration is especially pertinent as we head into COP29 where we hope to inspire more ambitious commitments from all countries to ensure that the goals of the Sendai Framework and Paris Agreement are realized. I also thank Montenegro for its hospitality and leadership, and I welcome its Call for Action on Earthquake Preparedness and Recovery, which seeks to remedy a critical gap in the region’s resilience against earthquakes. Together, these two outcomes demonstrate the region’s leadership on disaster risk reduction and its commitment to achieving resilience for all.” Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management said: “Disasters do not recognise borders or institutional silos, so neither should our solidary and cooperation. Together, we can achieve a more resilient future for all. This is what the European Commission is working towards with its partners in Europe and beyond. We work to strengthen the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by expanding the rescEU strategic reserve of assets, growing the Civil Protection Knowledge Network and implementing the European disaster resilience goals. We also continue working to strengthen the disaster preparedness of the most vulnerable populations and communities through EU humanitarian aid. And we work with our international partners to scale-up disaster risk reduction. Here in Budva today, we have renewed our commitment to make the vision of the Sendai Framework a reality.”Krzysztof Zyman, Executive Secretary of EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, Council of Europe said: “The link between environment and human rights is increasingly recognized today. A healthy environment is essential for the protection of human rights, while environmental degradation can lead to severe violations of these rights. Living in an unhealthy environment, marred by pollution, loss of biodiversity, impacted by ever-more frequent and impactful extreme weather events, which are amplified by human intervention or climate change, negatively impacts our well-being and fundamental rights. Ultimately, this degradation can undermine democracy itself. To address these threats, in 2022, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a landmark Recommendation on human rights and the protection of the environment, calling on its member states to actively consider recognising, at national level, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, as a human right.”This Regional Platform marked the largest multi-stakeholder gathering in the region for the implementation of the Sendai Framework since its inception. It provided a unique forum for diverse groups, including youth, persons with disabilities, gender rights advocates, and the private sector, to share perspectives and influence collective action to protect communities, strengthen inclusive governance, and integrate DRR measures across all sectors. Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum, said: “It is essential that persons with disabilities and their organisations are involved in building policies and actions to protect people during crisis. Not only do we face disproportionate risks and barriers, but we also have knowledge that will help build more accessible and resilient solutions.”The Platform also resulted in the Children and Youth Statement: The Road to Resilience which was presented to civil protection leaders to ensure inclusive decision-making and resilience-building for all communities in the region.
Elene Samukashvili, Focal Point of the Sendai Stakeholder Children and Youth Working Group in the UN Major Group for Children and Youth said: “The Children and Youth Statement: The Road to Resilience calls for urgent action and genuine, systemic inclusion in decision-making at all levels. More than a call to action, it’s a youth-driven blueprint for change, calling for governments, organizations, and individuals to join us as allies in building a resilient, sustainable future. Together, we can create the transformative change our generation deserves.” AboutThe Europe and Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is the main intergovernmental platform for addressing regional disaster risk challenges in Europe and Central Asia, comprising 55 countries. Held every three years, the Regional Platform has established itself as a unique vehicle to address regional disaster risk challenges, gathering stakeholders across governments, civil society, and the private sector, enabling knowledge-sharing and making commitments to reducing disaster risk tangible. The platform is supported by a secretariat composed of the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the host country of the platform and UNDRR. Further information on the Europe and Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction 2024 is available on the website: https://efdrr.undrr.org/ The 2024 Regional Platform is hosted by the Government of Montenegro, with support from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the European Commission, the Council of Europe, and in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Further information is available on the website: https://efdrr.undrr.org/ The last Regional Platform in Matosinhos, Portugal, in 2021, led to the endorsement of the ‘EFDRR Roadmap for Disaster Risk Reduction 2021-2030', which outlines four priority areas and sixteen action areas for the region to achieve the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. The Sendai Framework is the global agreement offering Member States concrete actions to protect development gains from the risk of disaster, working hand in hand with the other 2030 Agenda agreements, and ultimately the Sustainable Development Goals.

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29 October 2024

UN Day 2024: Strengthened Multilateralism Critical for Preserving Peace and Stability

Podgorica, Montenegro - 24 October 2024With global challenges growing more interconnected, the recently adopted Pact for the Future by the UN General Assembly underscores multilateralism as its guiding principle. This was central message at this year's UN Day celebration hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ervin Ibrahimović.The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Diego Zorrilla emphasized that in the face of growing global challenges, United Nations remain moral compass which the world needs.“The world needs more UN, not less UN, in order to adequately respond to the current challenges. The Pact for the Future calls for reinforced multilateralism, including reform of the international financial system and the UN Security Council. As a result, this groundbreaking international agreement was adopted by the member states as a roadmap for a new era of global cooperation,“ said Zorrilla, highlighting that Montenegro has a lot to offer in this regard. "Through active participation in numerous international initiatives, Montenegro has proven its commitment to multilateralism and I have no doubt that it will actively contribute to the realization of the Pact for the Future, primarily through the EU accession process which covers a large part of the Agenda for Sustainable Development," said Zorrilla. In a world increasingly shaped by shared risks – ranging from climate change and conflict to economic instability – the Pact calls for unified action, clearly recognizing that no single nation can address these issues alone. Montenegro's Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ervin Ibrahimović, highlighted the country’s longstanding commitment to international cooperation, emphasizing the critical role of the United Nations in strengthening multilateralism. “The world is facing a series of complex challenges, which is why the United Nations and strengthened multilateralism have a crucial role to play in ensuring peace and protecting international law,“ said Ibrahimović voicing support for the UN Secretary-General’s “New Agenda for Peace” which focuses on conflict prevention and diplomacy. He reminded that Montenegro aims to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member from 2026-2027 to contribute to global peace and incorporate the perspective of smaller nations in decision-making. “Montenegro’s work on achieving Sustainable Development Goals is greatly aligned with its European Union ambitions, promoting social inclusion and environmental protection, which are essential for regional peace and resilience against destabilizing policies,“ Ibrahimović added.

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Press Release

18 September 2023

UN expert to visit Montenegro to assess the independence of justice system

GENEVA (18 September 2023) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, will conduct her first official visit to Montenegro from 19 to 26 September 2023. During her visit, Satterthwaite will assess the measures taken by the Government to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the free exercise of the legal profession. She will examine the ongoing reform process of the judiciary to assess its compliance with international human rights standards, such as the independence of the judiciary and the principle of separation of powers. She will also examine the issue of access to justice for all, seeking to understand the way ordinary people in Montenegro experience the judicial system. The expert will meet Government officials and members of the Parliament, judges, prosecutors and lawyers. She will also meet representatives of civil society, academia, UN agencies, donors and the diplomatic community. Satterthwaite will hold a press conference on Tuesday 26 September at 10:30 local time at the UN Eco House. Access is strictly limited to journalists. The Special Rapporteur will present her report to the Human Rights Council in June 2024. ENDS *The expert: Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. She was appointed as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers by the Human Rights Council in October 2022. Professor Satterthwaite is an international human rights scholar and practitioner with decades of experience in the field. She is a Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law. The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, Country Page - Montenegro For further information and media requests, please to hrc-sr-independencejl@un.org For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org). Follow news related to the UN's independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts. Concerned about the world we live in?
Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org

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Press Release

14 June 2023

Full commitment to further cooperation with the United Nations on SDGs achievement

Podgorica, 13 June 2023 The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, received the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg. The topics of discussion were further streams of cooperation between Montenegro and the United Nations, the upcoming UN General Assembly and the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, which will be held this fall at the UN headquarters in New York, USA. "We continue our successful cooperation with thanks to the United Nations agencies for supporting the democratic and economic development of our country. The General Assembly and the Summit will be an opportunity for Montenegro to show that it is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and that we are ready to work additionally on their further fulfillment," said President Milatović. The UN Resident Coordinator, Peter Lundberg thanked Montenegro for the donation of one million euros to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, which is the largest single per capita contribution to such a financial mechanism in relation to the number of inhabitants. He said that, as before, Montenegro will have full support of the United Nations in all areas of development, especially in the strategic areas of the Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development 2023-2027. "We believe that the issue of social cohesion, as one of your priorities but also an important segment of the work of the United Nations, will be properly addressed through the UN Secretary General’s Peace Building Fund" said Lundberg, highlighting that the UN system remains a reliable partner of the people of Montenegro in achieving national development priorities. Two dignitaries also agreed to work on joint activities to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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Press Release

10 March 2023

UN Montenegro and governments of Montenegro and Switzerland signed a 2.5 million EUR contribution to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund

Podgorica, 7 February 2023 The Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović, the UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Montenegro Urs Schmid signed an agreement today on the allocation of 2,5 million EUR for the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund. The Fund is a new generation financial tool established by the UN team in the country, which seeks to pool donor funds that will be directed towards development initiatives. The Government of Montenegro allocated EUR 1 million for the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, while the Government of Switzerland supported this initiative with EUR 1.5 million. Previously, the contribution to the Fund was determined by the Government of Luxembourg. "The idea and vision of this Government is to make Montenegro a white and green destination. It is not an easy job, because we have to change a lot, and we have to have sustainable projects. I am more than sure that this Fund will give us a chance to find a good project and that after its implementation we will have a much better situation in terms of sustainable development,“ said Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazović. Montenegro's contribution to sustainable development through this funding modality is particularly significant from the perspective of the country's size and economy. Montenegro hereby invests €1.3 per capita in sustainable development through the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, which is more than all countries in the region. This also stands as clear indicator of Montenegro's strategic orientation towards sustainable development and cooperation with the United Nations. UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg pointed out that the Fund has been designed as a powerful catalyst for accelerating SDGs implementation in the country. "The Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund is a common vision of accelerated achievement of Agenda 2030. Considering the enormous development potential, the Fund can be an important tool for country’s development and achievement of national priorities, primarely country's accession to the European Union," said Lundberg, adding that the Fund is the result of a true development partnership. Urs Schmid, ambassador of Switzerland, which is currently the largest donor to the Fund, pointed out that bilateral relations between Switzerland and Montenegro are very dynamic and that Switzerland is among the five largest foreign investors in Montenegro with around 800 million euros invested since 2003. "Switzerland's participation in the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund will further improve relations between our two countries and I believe that our contribution will encourage other countries and development partners to join this innovative financial mechanism and to contribute that way to acceleration of reforms in Montenegro," said Schmid. By consolidating and directing funds towards targeted development interventions, the Fund will be catalyzing not only SDGs but also acceleration of Montenegro's accession to the EU, given the high level of alignment between the Agenda 2030 and the EU accession process. The Fund is designed to support strategic initiatives in three priority areas of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027: 1) inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability, 2) human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion and 3) social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.

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Press Release

13 April 2023

Fighting hate speech is everyone's job

Podgorica, 8 december 2022 Dealing with hate speech was the central theme of the panel discussion "Silencing Hate" organized by the United Nations system ahead of International Human Rights Day, 10 December. People who were targeted by hate speech because of who they are, what they do or because of the perception that they are different shared their experiences. Panelists and audience discussed possibille joint actions in facing the challenges that hate speech brings. The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Peter Lundberg, pointed out that Montenegro is experiencing an increase in hate speech and added that it is not the only country facing this problem. “Unfortunately, we are witnessing the global growth of misinformation, fake news and divisive narratives that lead directly to discrimination, hate speech and even hate crimes. The scale and impact today, especially with social media as a global platform for spreading hate, is greater and growing faster than ever. This is why the United Nations adopted the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Hate Speech in 2019, within which we strive to, in cooperation with partners, take actions aimed at combating hate speech. Because the fight against hate speech is the job of all of us," said Lundberg, stating that fighting hate speech does not represent limiting freedom of expression in an arbitrary or illegal way, but preventing hatred from escalating into discrimination, hostility and violence. The Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Đeka, pointed out that Montenegro strives to maintain its European path and to improve respect for human rights as well as to persevere in strengthening tolerance and acceptance of diversity. "Hate speech should be reduced every day, by turning to content which can contribute to our further education, general culture, raising awareness of essential things. By repeating what has been said, we give additional importance to negative streams.We need to continuously suppress negative phenomena in society. The catalysts of every change, good or bad, are we, ourselves," Đeka said. The audience heard testimonies of panelists who were exposed to various forms of hate speech, among which were members of the Roma community, the LGBT community, persons with disabilities, women and others who were targeted by the hate speech. "I'm afraid we're normalizing hate speech and that's what worries me a lot. Hate speech is, above all, humiliation and persecution of those who are different, and it is high time for this topic to be opened seriously," said Sabina Talović from Pljevlja, who was a victim of hate speech. Human Rights Day is commemorated every year on 10 December 1948, when the UN General Assemblyadopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since then, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been the basis for a growing system that promotes and protects the rights of all people in the world.

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Press Release

13 April 2023

Government and UN signed UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027

Podgorica, 20 July 2022 The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ranko Krivokapić and the UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg signed today the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework UNSDCF 2023-2027, to pave the way for UN-Montenegro collaboration in the next five years. Minister Krivokapić said that the next five years are crucial for Montenegro's cooperation with the UN and the EU, and that it would be useful to turn two parallel roads into a single path, which will end in 2027 with membership in the European Union. Montenegrin Foreign Minister pointed out that the main benefit of all engagements of Montenegro with the United Nations, as well as with Euro-Atlantic partners, is full understanding. “We feel like a country that has full understanding on its path to European integration, dignified membership in the UN, as well as belonging to the Euro-Atlantic community,” - said Krivokapić, emphasizing that this understanding is no less important than the multiple assistance we receive in areas that modernize our society, adding that the number of countries and agencies that support Montenegro is beyond any expectation. Emphasizing that social inclusion is the way how small communities function and exist, Krivokapić said that they survive on solidarity and connection, which is not only economic and social, but also has an emotional note that gives the full feeling of living in one society. Speaking about the parallel process of European integration, he said that there is no more time to delay, and that every wind is good for a ship that knows where it is going, while there is no good wind for a ship that does not know where it is going. “Our path is the EU, but that path cannot be limitless, that path must have its own time frames set for Montenegro, through constant reforms that are achievable in the next five-year period, but also shorter than that,” said Krivokapić. The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Peter Lundberg said that the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, jointly adopted today, represents the foundations of cooperation between Montenegro and the United Nations in the next five years. “This common vision of development, based on jointly identified development priorities, will help accelerate our journey towards the Agenda 2030, but also the EU accession of Montenegro," said Lundberg, emphasizing that one of major drivers of the process will be the Montenegro Acceleration Fund, a new generation of pooled funds to help solve development challenges. Before signing the UNSDCF, the Government and UN team held the Joint Country Steering Committee meeting, to review implementation of the Integrated UN Programme (UNDAF) 2017-2022, including joint results in 2021 and plans for 2022.

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