Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals 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:
Our Work
13 December 2022
Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund
Click here for Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund - Terms of Reference
About the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund
Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund is a pooled fund mechanism that aims to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and imminent achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Montenegro, as well as to support the country’s EU accession process.
The fund will provide catalytic support to priority areas in line with the National Strategy for Sustainable Development, Programme of Accession of Montenegro to the European Union and the forthcoming UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027. Additional benefits that the Acceleration Fund will yield are related to achieving synergies of participating UN Organisations and thus support in country implementation of the UN Reform.
There is only seven years left to achieve SDGs, and even less for fulfilling EU accession criteria, and Montenegro needs support to be successful. This is the main rationale for establishing the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund.
Objective and purpose of the Fund
The Fund will support integrated and coherent resource mobilization, centralised and transparent allocation and disbursement of resources to promote development and implementation of integrated activities to meet the SDGs, advance EU accession process and support implementation.
Thematic focus of the Fund
The strategic and thematic focus of the Fund will revolve around the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation 2023-2027.
This document will define three strategic priority areas of UN work in Montenegro:
inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability;
human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion; and
social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.
Furthermore, the Fund will also aim to support acceleration of the EU accession process through the 2030 Agenda framework. UN Montenegro conducted an analysis of synergies and interlinkages between the EU accession process and the 2030 Agenda. The findings show that EU accession process addresses 2/3rds of the 2030 Agenda (105 out of 169 SDG targets). The Acceleration Fund will seek to propel synergetic moments between these two transformational agendas so the public administration, as the primary duty bearer, yields on efficiency gains when tackling these two processes in synergy. Beyond the policy cohesion element and the support towards Cooperation Framework implementation, the Fund will produce benefits of triggering more joint UN action as one of the major calls of the UN Reform.
Management of the Fund
The Fund will be managed by the Joint Country Steering Committee. This body also provides an oversight role for the implementation of the UN Cooperation Framework 2023-2027. It is co-chaired by the UN Resident Coordinator and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Joint Country Steering Committee is the best-placed entity to manage the Fund because it ensures that interventions are in line with national priorities, and strategic areas of the Cooperation Framework and ensures national ownership that, further, contributes to the sustainability of the interventions financed by the Fund.
Administration of the Fund
The Fund will be administered by the Multi-Purpose Trust Fund (MPTF). MPTF is a well-known UN pooled funding mechanism that enables global standards for transparency in reporting. The Fund will welcome contributions from a broad range of partners – public, private, multilateral and bilateral funding sources. The Fund will have a preference in fundraising non-earmarked or lightly earmarked contributions that will help UN System to ensure effectiveness.
1 of 5

Story
20 January 2023
Government contributes 1 million EUR to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund
Podgorica, 20 January 2023
The Government of Montenegro took a step closer to Agenda 2030 by endorsing the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund and committing allocation of a million EUR into this new generation of financing tools aimed for pooling donor funds to be channelled towards development initiatives.
The UN-initiated Fund is designed to be major vehicle to support the country’s acceleration of Sustainable Development Goals implementation, as well as to support the country’s EU accession process.
By contributing to the Fund, Montenegro showed strong ownership over the implementation of Agenda 2030. According to Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, the Fund will be criticaly important for Montenegro's aspirations to meet country's commitments within the Agenda 2030.
“By supporting Agenda 2030, the Fund is a very important means of support to our EU integration process,” said Abazović, inviting bilateral partners to join the initiative and support the Fund.
Besides Government’s contribution, Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund also attracted financial support from several other countries, including Luxembourg and Switzerland.
UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg welcomed signing of this UN-pooled pooled funding mechanism, emphasizing that it comes in critical moment.
“Government’s endorsement of this important vehicle for Montenegro’s development is a strong signal of country’s commitment to implementation of Agenda for Sustainable Development by 2030. With eight years left till fulfilment of this universal development plan, Montenegro needs all our support to succeed on this time critical endeavor,” said Lundberg, expressing hope that other partner countries will join the Fund in a quest for sustainable development of Montenegro.
As a booster to country’s development on its way to EU, the Fund is set to support strategic initiatives in three priority areas of the Cooperation Framework between Montenegro and the United Nations for the period 2023-27:
inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability
human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion
social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.
The Fund signed between the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations has been operational since the 1st January 2023, but the administrative and fundraising activities are ongoing for almost a year. It will be managed by the UN country team in close partnership with the Government, to secure full national commitment and long-term sustainability.
1 of 5

Video
15 July 2022
Montenegro Acceleration Fund: Unlocking opportunities for Montenegro
1 of 5

Publication
01 July 2022
United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Montenegro 2023-2027
Responding to national priorities, the UNSDCF 2023-2027 was developed as a joint commitment by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) to accelerate progress towards the 2030 agenda and EU accession.
1 of 5

Story
20 July 2022
Paving the way forward together
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.
1 of 5

Story
10 May 2023
A Vehicle for Sustainable Development
Visit Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund homepage
In an effort to accelerate achievement of Agenda 2030 in Montenegro, the UN Country Team joined forces with national and international partners to establish a Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund (MAF) – a new generation financial tool which seeks to pool donor funds that will be directed towards development initiatives.
The strategic focus of the Fund revolves around the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation 2023-2027, targeting support to development initiatives from three strategic priority areas of UN work in Montenegro:
inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability;
human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion; and
social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.
UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg underlines that the Fund is set to be 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, primarily country's accession to the European Union," said Lundberg, adding that the Fund is the result of a true development partnership.
So far, the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund has pooled 2,5 million EUR for development initiatives, coming from Government of Montenegro, Luxembourg Grand Duchy and Switzerland.
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 Fund is a step forward towards more integrated and coherent resource mobilization, centralized and transparent allocation and disbursement of resources to support country’s development.
Furthermore, the Fund also aims to support acceleration of the EU accession process through the 2030 Agenda framework, having in mind strong synergies between two major development processes in the country.
Visit Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund homepage
1 of 5

Story
06 April 2023
Recapitulation of key acomplishments
As the closing year of the Integrated UN Programme for Montenegro (UNDAF) 2017-2022, previous year offered an opportunity to recap some of the major accomplishments during that cycle. Some of the groundbreaking achievements of the UNDAF lifespan would definitely include reduction of at-risk-of poverty rate from 24 to 21,2%; the increase of 50% in the number of children with disabilities in mainstream education and 30% more children enrolled in preschool education.
In the area of environmental protection, the extent of the nationally protected area has been steadily increasing. A decision was also made to declare 1% of the total marine area as the first marine protected area in Montenegro. Moreover, the planned goal of reducing emissions by 30% compared to the 1990 has already been met, while the national goal of 33% energy demand from renewable sources has been surpassed.
“Together with more than 50 partners, progress has been made in accelerating 2030 Agenda through advancing human rights, gender equality and women`s empowerment, social protection and access to education and health, addressing impact of climate change, enhancing sustainable economic development as well through supporting governance capacities, digitalization and social cohesion,” said Peter Lundberg, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro.
In the year which has been marked by strong and multiple effects of Russian invasion on Ukraine, collective efforts were invested in supporting public administration at local and national level, to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency, including through improved digital governance framework.
“Once again, our programme tested its ability to respond to emerging challenges – this time by helping national authorities in providing immediate response to the impact of invasion of Ukraine, where Montenegro prides itself on being one of the top countries for providing home to the largest number of refugees per its population size,” Lundberg concluded, highlighting that the annual UNCT Country Results Report 2022 provides a good overview of key results achieved in Montenegro in the course of 2022.
1 of 5

Story
20 March 2023
A year of the conflict in Ukraine - Montenegro continues to stand with the people forced to flee
March 2023
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, more than 13 million people remain uprooted from their homes, causing one of the largest population displacements in Europe since the Second World War.
With no end of the conflict in sight, many European countries have wholeheartedly provided assistance to people forced to flee, including a small country on the Balkan peninsula, Montenegro. On 11 March 2022, the Government of Montenegro activated the Temporary Protection (TP) for persons fleeing Ukraine for up to 1 year.
Although Montenegro does not share its borders with Ukraine, since 24 February 2022, over 95,000 Ukrainians arrived in the country. Cultural similarities, people’s altruism and Montenegro’s open-door policy created a feeling of safety for more than 34,000 Ukrainians who decided to stay – a staggering 5% of the country’s population, out of whom more than 8,000 applied for temporary protection. For sense of scale and burden on Montenegro, a country that does not have access to the EU funds as it is not an EU member state, this would equal to Poland hosting 1.9 million refugees or France hosting 3.4 million refugees.
On 15 February 2023, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Decision to extend the TP for Ukrainian refugees until 11 March 2024 and expand the scope of people benefiting from this protection regime. Beside the Ukrainian citizens, persons granted international protection in Ukraine and persons granted stateless status in Ukraine, as per the new Decision, Ukrainians who used to have some residence in Montenegro prior to 24 February can now also apply for temporary protection. In line with the new Decision all TP holders are invited to approach the Ministry of Interior (MoI) branch offices, in their place of residence, to replace TP certificates. UNHCR, in close collaboration with its partners, local NGO Civic Alliance and Red Cross of Montenegro, as well as through the network of Ukrainian volunteers organized by the Embassy of Ukraine in Montenegro, increased field presence to spread the information to all TP holders and to support both TP holders and MoI to complete the procedure in a timely manner.
On 3 March 2023, UNHCR organized the transportation for 30 refugees from the state-provided accommodation, the Hotel Sato in coastal city of Sutomore to the local branch offices of the Ministry of Interior in the neighboring city of Bar. The assistance by UNHCR and its partners was critical in ensuring the refugee population does not fall into legal precarity if they do not meet the deadline for extension.
Olga, a 38-year-old refugee mother from Ukraine, said: “We cannot be thankful enough to people and the state of Montenegro for providing us warm and safe home for the past one year. Leaving Ukraine was the hardest decision I had to take, but safety of my children was indisputable. Montenegro, we see as our second home and we will never forget the kindness and generosity shown to us, as well as today when extending our stay.”
Since 24 February, UNHCR Montenegro has provided support both to the authorities and to all people seeking shelter in the country due to the war in Ukraine. The office has supported the authorities in the response to the refugee crisis, strengthening its capacities and ensuring timely processing of TP applications, while ensuring Ukrainian refugees have unimpeded access to rights, particularly healthcare, education, employment and social care as well as psychosocial assistance.
“Montenegro took a tremendous burden amidst the growing global economic uncertainties by maintaining the open-door policy to those persons forcibly fleeing from Ukraine. The decision to trigger the Temporary Protection regime in 2022 and its recent decision to extend it for another year, to provide a sound legal basis for the protection and inclusion of Ukrainians, have been a remarkable example of humanitarianism. These results testify to the indispensable partnership between UNHCR and Montenegro in upholding the international humanitarian law and the respective high ambitions for protecting those forced to flee” said Jean-Yves Bouchardy, UNHCR Representative in Montenegro.
UNHCR will continue supporting the Ukrainian population opting to seek safety in Montenegro, as well as cooperating with the state institutions and partners to ensure that no one is left behind.
For more information about UNHCR's work in Montenegro please visit: UNHCR - Montenegro.
By Teodora Lađić
1 of 5

Story
08 March 2023
We have to stand up for the lives and rights of women and girls. Everywhere.
OpEd by the UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres
Around the world, progress on women’s rights is vanishing before our eyes. The latest forecasts estimate that on our current track, it will take another 300 years to reach full gender equality.
Today’s cascading crises, from the war in Ukraine to the climate emergency, affect women and girls first and worst. And as part of the global pushback against democracy, women’s rights over their bodies and autonomy over their lives are being questioned and denied.
Two statistics make our failure very clear:
Every ten minutes, one woman or girl is murdered by a family member or intimate partner.
And one woman dies every two minutes during pregnancy or childbirth. Most of those deaths are entirely preventable.
On International Women’s Day, we must commit to doing better. We need to reverse these horrific trends and stand up for the lives and rights of women and girls, everywhere.
This is one of my core priorities and a central plank of the work of the United Nations around the world.
From South Sudan to Myanmar, we are supporting women and girls in crisis and making sure their voices are heard in peace processes.
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, recently visited Afghanistan with a message for the authorities: women and girls have fundamental human rights, and we will never give up fighting for them.
This year, International Women’s Day focuses on closing gender gaps in science, technology, and innovation. Globally, men are 21 percent more likely to be online than women — and over 50 percent more likely in low-income countries.
But even the richest countries lose out because of gender-based stereotypes and historic bias. In the tech industry, men outnumber women two to one. In Artificial Intelligence, it’s five to one.
Big data is the new gold, and the foundation of today’s political and business decisions. But it often ignores gender differences – or turns a blind eye to women altogether.
We should all be alarmed by products and services that bake in gender inequality right from the start, and digitize patriarchy and misogyny.
The Silicon Valleys of this world must not become Death Valleys for women’s rights.
Medical decisions based on data from men’s bodies can not only harm women; it can be deadly.
Discrimination against women in science and technology is the result of centuries of patriarchy, discrimination and damaging stereotypes. Women account for just three percent of Nobel Prize winners in scientific categories since 1901. And women online – including scientists and journalists – are often targeted for sexist hate speech and abuse designed to silence and shame them.
But they will not be silenced. Women and girls everywhere are demanding their rights, and their words reverberate around the world.
We need action on several fronts to make sure women and girls can make their full contribution to the world’s knowledge through science and technology.
We must break down barriers — from discriminatory data to stereotypes that push girls away from studying scientific subjects at an early age.
Decisionmakers of all kinds must broaden women’s participation and leadership in science and technology, through quotas if necessary.
They should be creative, widening the recruitment pipeline and hiring for skills. And they must be persistent. Gender equality will not happen by itself; it has to be prioritized and pursued. This approach is getting results at the United Nations, where we have our own strategy for gender parity among our personnel.
We also need action to create a safe digital environment for women and to hold accountable both the perpetrators of online abuse, and the digital platforms that enable them.
The United Nations is working with governments, civil society, the private sector and others on a Code of Conduct aimed at reducing harm and increasing accountability on digital platforms, while defending freedom of expression.
Women’s rights are not a luxury that can wait until we solve the climate crisis, end poverty and create a better world.
Investing in women and girls is the surest way to uplift all people, communities and countries, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Together, let’s work for a more inclusive, just, and prosperous world for women and girls, men and boys, everywhere.
1 of 5

Story
07 February 2023
Joining Forces for Sustainable Development of Montenegro
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 implemetation 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.
1 of 5

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.
1 of 5
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.
1 of 5
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.
1 of 5
Press Release
13 April 2023
Closing conference of the Joint UN Programme "Activate!"
Podgorica, 1 July 2022
Developed tools and new insights for the implementation of better social policy and new services tailored to the needs of beneficiaries are the main achievements of the UN project "Activate! Integrated social protection and employment in order to accelerate progress for young people in Montenegro ", which was concluded today at the final conference that took place in Podgorica.
The initiative, abbreviated as "Activate!", aims at activating young people who thrive on the margins of society – the unemployed, those outside the education system, as well as those who do not possess the skills necessary for employment in the 21st century. Its goal is to foster the creation of opportunities for this population by means of efficient social policies and improved social services.
Peter Lundberg, the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, pointed out that initiatives like this are especially important in times of instability and crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
"A key to accelerating development is through innovation, at all levels – in policies and service design. We hope that these new models will respond to the need and help decentralize cost-planning at all levels, so social protection systems can serve all people in need everywhere," Lundberg said.
Edina Dešić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, assessed that the program opened a significant space for the transformation of social policies.
"The results obtained from this project will be a significant input for the creation of social and child protection policies based on empirical evidence, in such a way that the support of the system is directed to those who really need it." Dešić emphasized.
Acting UNICEF Representative to Montenegro, Sabina Žunić, said that only through joint and cross-sectoral efforts and the establishment of a wide network of cooperation can we fight for every young person's right to live a dignified life.
"New approaches to empowering young people must include their greater participation in decision-making. Through this program, adolescents and young people are empowered, first of all, through socio-emotional skills workshops and support for their mental health. We will soon launch a web portal that will address these topics, because mental health is key to reaching all other goals in the lives of children and young people," Žunić said.
The project aimed at strengthening the social protection system has been implemented since November 2019 by UN agencies in Montenegro in cooperation with national partners – the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Employment Agency of Montenegro, centers for social work and civil society organizations. The initiative is funded by the Joint SDG Fund, whose donors are member states of the United Nations, the European Union, international agencies, the private sector and individuals.
1 of 5
Press Release
20 May 2022
Further strengthening cooperation with the Parliament of Montenegro
Podgorica, 19 May 2022
The Parliament Speaker of Montenegro, Danijela Đurović, met with the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg.
Thanking for the strong support of the UN to the reform agenda of our country, President Đurović emphasized that Montenegro highly appreciates the good cooperation and support of the UN system through active action in numerous areas, and expressed readiness to improve the partnership in the future by concretizing defined initiatives. and launching new joint projects.
Pointing to the continuity of the political dialogue that our country has with the highest officials from the UN system, the Parliament Speaker reaffirmed Montenegro's strong commitment to fundamental UN values and respect for the Charter and international obligations, as well as achieving the goals defined in the 2030 Agenda. dedicated to preserving peace, security, development and protection of human rights.
Referring to the issues of social inclusion, such as those that are in the center of UN policy, Djurovic emphasized that this issue, through her previous personal engagement in the Women's Club and the Gender Equality Committee, is one of the priorities of her further activities. She also said that through previous analyzes of the mentioned parliamentary bodies, it was clearly recognized that good practices of the UN system could significantly contribute to defining some future quality solutions in this area. In that context, she reminded of the importance of raising quotas, which would ensure the participation of women in parliamentary life, in the percentage of 40 percent.
The Parliament Speaker also warned that, in that context, she is significantly concerned about the increase of hate speech, primerely on social networks, but also in public discourse in general, which is recognized as a problem that must be solved by adequate legislation in a way that would guarantee media freedoms and the right to copyright.
Speaking about the importance and role of the Parliament as an important segment of political life, but also the challenges facing the new parliamentary majority, Djurovic reminded of the importance of encouraging and initiating political dialogue, the need to pass laws on the Parliament and the Government, focusing on electoral legislation political actors, and securing the necessary majority for key appointments in the judiciary. She expressed the expectation that, in overcoming all these challenges, "there will be enough political maturity to reach the main goal, which is the European perspective of Montenegro."
UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Peter Lundberg congratulated Ms. Đurović on her election for a Speaker of the Parliament of Montenegro and stressed that he is always encouraged by the appointment of women to leading positions in the country.
He stressed out the importance of continuous and very constructive cooperation between Montenegro and the United Nations, emphasizing his expectation that this cooperation will be further strengthened through the upcoming five-year Strategic Framework for Cooperation for the period 2023-2027.
"Through cooperation in the strategic areas of the five-year framework, the UN system will continue to support Montenegro in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meeting national priorities, primarily EU accession," said Lundberg.
He emphasizing that the achievement of these goals must be preceded by progress in the fields of environment through ecological transformation, social inclusion and social protection, but also strengthening the rule of law, independent institutions and guaranteeing social equality for all
Noting that hate speech is a global problem, Lundberg pointed out that "it is necessary to fight against hate in all segments of life."
The Resident Coordinator reiterated the UN's firm commitment to continuing and further strengthening cooperation with Parliament and the Government within the Organisation’s mandate, expressing readiness to offer necessary expertise and experience.
1 of 5
Latest Resources
1 / 11
Resources
24 March 2023
Resources
01 July 2022
Resources
15 October 2021
Resources
15 October 2021
1 / 11