Podgorica, 22 August 2023 Increased financing of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is critical for a country’s success in fulfilling the promise of Agenda 2030. This is one of the key conclusions of the latest UN report Policy Brief: SDG Financing which looks deep into the funding structure of the national SDGs implementation. “SDG financing is a crucial area to achieve the 2030 Agenda. While effective policies are needed for reforms, finance is required to ensure implementation. Montenegro, as it continues its EU accession process, needs to explore varied sources of finance as Official Development Assistance will play a diminishing role in the future,” said the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg. To increase expenditures on SDGs, mobilizing domestic finances is going to play an increasingly important role. Despite the progress in growing expenditures for SDGs in the first five years of SDG implementation, the progress was still not fast enough to ensure all targets were on track. “As Montenegro goes forward the focus will need to remain on using finite resources efficiently and effectively, targeted at supporting those who are most vulnerable to ensure that the central promise of the 2030 Agenda is achieved,” said David Wright, Economist in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and one of co-authors of the Policy Brief. The report reveals that Montenegro strategically prioritized SDGs in the first five years of their implementation, indicating that majority of the Government funding for SDGs - 83.8% - was directed towards 5 SDGs: poverty reduction (SDG 1), health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16). The largest share has been allocated for poverty reduction (32%), helping the country reduce ‘at risk of poverty’ rate from 24 percent to 21.2 percent. “It matters where finances are allocated. Public finance is an important means to support the provision of public goods and the delivery of the SDGs. Expenditures function as a signal to the private sector and support complementary expenditures,” Wright said, adding that increasing expenditures in social sectors such as health and education can also increase skills, innovation, and support households with their disposable incomes. The Policy Brief on SDG Finances is produced as the first edition in a series of thematic UN Policy Briefs which will be produced quarterly by the UN Country Team, aiming to tackle issues that slow progress on the 2030 Agenda. Each piece will provide an analysis of the issue and will offer recommendations on how to address them.

  Podgorica, 19 July 2023 Education for the 21st century, greater participation of young people and women, strengthening of human rights institutions and raising awareness of human rights, inequality and discrimination, stronger focus on production and greater use of data with clearly set target values, were some of the key conclusions resulted from the broad national consultations on identifying Montenegro’s priorities for acceleration of the Agenda 2030 and the list of National commitments that the country will present on the upcoming SDG Summit in UN HQ in September 2023. The dialogue which has been organised by the Government’s Office for Sustainable Development and UN Country Team, gathered various national actors to discuss potential commitments which the President will deliver to the UN General Assembly. “Prioritization of SDGs is not simple. It’s rather very complex and inclusive task. That is why it is very important to have broad dialogue like ours today, which will enables broad participation in paving the way of our country on the second half of path towards Agenda 2030,” said Mladen Grgić, Advisor to the President, noting that the Constitution of Montenegro is an excellent basis and a vision for desiging country's pledges for the future. Juan Santander, a.i. UN Resident Coordinator and UNICEF Representative reminded participants that “half-way on Agenda 2030, the World is on the rate of only 12% of SDGs is on the track". "SDG Summit is an opportunity to accelerate implementation of this global collective plan through counties renewed commitments,” said Santander who underlined that SDG implementation can be successful only if that process includes all actors. Adviser to the Prime Minister, Andrej Bracanović, pointed out that the prerequisites for achieving SDG have been met through the positioning of the institutional framework in the General Secretariat of the Government, and emphasized the importance of financing sustainable development. “Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund will be powerful tool in fulfilling Montenegro’s SDG commitments,” said Andrej Bracanović, Advisor of the Prime Minister, highlighting that in a very short period since the establishment of the Fund it has generated remarkable resources, heading towards the amount of six million by the end of the year. The dialogue was inspired by the findings of the study on Montenegro’s priorities ahead of submitting the country’s pledges at the upcoming SDG Summit in UN HQ in September this year. The research conducted by UNDP consultants Olivera Komar and Gerald Berger dives into possible concrete interventions of the country in specific areas such as green transition and climate action, leaving no one behind, quality education, justice for all, gender equality, youth participation. “The study basically screens where the country stands now and where it can be in due time, offering tangible potential goals to which the country can commit. When considering commitments, it is very important to be realistic, but I would add also to be a bit ambitions,” said Olivera Komar, co-author of the study and professor at the Faculty of Political Science. In a focused group work, participants discussed strategic priorities in the context of country’s vision up to 2030. Conclusions which resulted from the dialogue will serve as guiding inputs for national statement which will be delivered by Montenegro at the SDG Summit, during the UN General Assembly in September this year. The national consultation event was organised within the "Dialogue for Development" platform of the National Council for Sustainable Development, which was established through the National Adaptation Plan project financed by the Green Climate Fund.   Photo Gallery

Representatives of the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations system in Montenegro, together with representatives of international strategic partners - Switzerland and Luxembourg, held a constitutive session of the Steering Committee of the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund (MAF). The Fund is a new generation financial tool established by the UN Montenegro, which aims to pool partner funds and direct them for development initiatives. On today's session, the MAF Steering Committee made a decision to release 1,3 million USD for three calls for proposals to accelerate SDGs implementation in Montenegro and support the EU accession through innovative solutions and joint-action. The Prime Minister Dritan Abazović said that today's meeting of the MAF Steering Committee is a confirmation of previous intentions and joint, intensive work. „We believe that in the coming period these funds will grow, because the Government of Montenegro is determined to provide full and strategic support through this Fund to accelerating the SDGs implementation, which is to a great extent harmonized with the process of Montenegro's accession to the EU,“  Prime Minister said. The MAF Steering Committee consists of representatives of the Government, the UN system in the country and strategic partners, including: Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg, advisors to the Prime Minister Ivo Šoć and Andrej Bracanović, UNICEF Representative in Montenegro Juan Santander, ILO project coordinator Nina Krgović, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Montenegro Philippe Donckel and the Head of the Swiss Development Cooperation Office in Belgrade Richard Kohli. The newly formed body is in charge of managing the Fund, strategic positioning, supervision, making decisions on the distribution of funds as well as other important aspects of the Fund's operations. UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg thanked Prime Minister Abazović for his leadership and personal commitment to the establishment and early success of the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, and for recognizing the Fund as a tool for investing in a specific development niche of sustainable development and the EU accession process. "This is also reflected in the financial contribution of Montenegro to the Fund in the amount of one million euros. Observed per capita, it is €1.6 invested in sustainable development through the Accelerated Development Fund. By comparison, this is a very large amount per capita in comparison with many other countries in Europe and in Central Asia region, who also invests in country-based sustainable development pooled funds." - said Lundberg,. The founding of the MAF Steering Committee followed after the Fund generated partnerships worth EUR 2.6 million at the beginning of the year, shortly after its formation. Apart from the Government of Montenegro, the Government of Switzerland also supported this initiative with EUR 1.6 million. Previously, the contribution to the Fund was determined by the Government of Luxembourg. Montenegro's contribution to sustainable development through this financing model is particularly significant when put into the perspective of the country's size and economy. The Fund for Accelerated Development of Montenegro is designed as a strong catalyst for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. By consolidating and directing funds towards targeted development interventions, the Fund aims to also contribute to the acceleration of Montenegro's accession to the EU. The fund is designed to support strategic initiatives in three priority areas of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation 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.

16–22 June 2021   Every year, on 20 June the world celebrates the strength and resilience of refugees and other people forced to flee. This year on World Refugee Day, UNHCR called on communities and governments across the world to create solutions and ensure inclusion of forcibly displaced people. In Montenegro, UNHCR and its partners commemorated the World Refugee Day through a series of events taking place between 16 – 22 June 2023, celebrating the many contributions refugees make when included in the host communities, while reaffirming the commitment of both Montenegro and the international community to continue supporting them. UNHCR Montenegro marked on 20 June the World Refugee Day together with partners in an event that gathered, for the first time ever, the highest level of attendance for the operation. The Prime Minister Mr Dritan Abazovic, the Head of EU Delegation, H.E. Ms. Oana-Cristina Popa and the Ukrainian Ambassador, H.E. Oleg Herasymenko joined the UNHCR Representative, Mr. Jean Yves Bouchardy to give opening statements and echo their unwavering commitment to protection and solutions. The Prime Minister of Montenegro expressed gratitude to UNHCR for its support as well as for recognizing the many contributions and results Montenegro made in providing protection to those forced to flee. “The history has thought us Montenegrins to be welcoming to refugees, given that we saw firsthand during the turbulent 90s that anyone can be forced to flee. Even then, Montenegro provided safety to all who needed it. Today, I am particularly proud that the country provides safety to over 32,000 Ukrainians who can call Montenegro their home. For the Government of Montenegro, it is imperative that they feel safe, welcomed, and included,” said the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Dritan Abazovic. UNHCR Representative to Montenegro commended Montenegro’s commitment to its open-door policy since 1992 and highlighted the importance of inclusion and subsequent access to rights for all who seek protection in the country. “We at UNHCR commend Montenegro for having shown over the years a strong generosity and dedication to address the plight of forcibly displaced persons, regardless of their ethnic and religious background or political opinion. Today, the country is home to one of the largest per capita Ukrainian refugee populations in the world. The country is also at a doorstep of ensuring no other person is born stateless. The numerous results Montenegro achieved illustrate the spirit of inclusion and show Montenegro can be a source of Hope Away from Home for those forced to flee,” said UNHCR Representative to Montenegro, Mr. Jean Yves Bouchardy.   The Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro talked about the importance of Temporary Protection Directive, which swiftly provided the Ukrainian refugees with access to protection and subsequent rights, such as employment, accommodation, healthcare and education. “I commend Montenegro for demonstrating unparalleled hospitality towards Ukrainian refugees. Now more than ever, the EU remains committed to supporting those forced to leave their homes worldwide. In this endeavor, we are working hand in hand with our partners around the world. In Montenegro, we are especially proud of our partnership with the UNHCR and the national authorities. This partnership and cooperation is key for the paramount task of ensuring refugees feel safe and included,” said the Head of EU Delegation to Montenegro, H.E. Ms. Oana-Cristina Popa.      H.E. Ambassador of Ukraine, Mr. Oleg Herasymenko, expressed gratitude to the people and the government of Montenegro for selflessly hosting Ukrainian refugees, despite being a territorially small country. The ambassador also praised the commitment of UNHCR in finding practical and durable solutions for refugees residing in the country. On 19 June, UNHCR Representative awarded the diplomas to students at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro for successfully completing the Legal Clinic on the Refugee Law. Mr. Bouchardy expressed gratitude to the Faculty of Law for the continuous cooperation since 2007 and stressed that over the years nearly 500 students have completed the Legal Clinic and learned about UNHCR’s mandate and the refugee law. On the eve of 20 June, the Capital City of Podgorica illuminated the bridge Millennium and joined UNHCR in marking the World Refugee Day by showing solidarity with persons forced to flee from due to war or persecution. This is but one of the side-activities the office has conducted in Montenegro to commemorate this important day.   On 21 June, UNHCR, UNHCR’s legal aid partner the Civic Alliance and the Municipality of Bar commemorated the World Refugee Day at the plateau in front of King Nikola’s Castle at the coastal city of Bar, which hosts numerous Ukrainian refugees. UNHCR Representative expressed gratitude to the citizens of Bar and the local authorities for hosting one of the largest Ukrainian refugee communities in the country. The opening remarks were followed by a cultural programme, including a refugee choir ensemble “Zima”, children theatre play, as well as an exhibition of paintings from refugee children. On 22 June, the Red Cross of Montenegro and UNHCR organized a community-based event for children, reinforcing the World Refugee Day messaging in the context of refugee child protection and inclusion. The event, which included numerous sports activities for the children in the largest park in the capital city of Podgorica was attended by numerous guests, including Ukrainian Ambassador to Montenegro. In the lead-up to World Refugee Day, on 15 – 16 June, UNHCR, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the Embassy of Ukraine in Montenegro, the Chamber of Commerce and the Union of Employers, jointly organized a job fair for Ukrainian Temporary Protection holders. Some 30 employers, mostly from the tourism sector, attended the job fair and presented their vacancies, with over 100 refugees attending the event.       Photo Gallery