As the world commemorates United Nations Day 2023, I like to remind ourselves why the United Nations was founded in 1945. In the aftermath of World War II, the peoples of the United Nations expressed determination, “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind“. Crossroad Today - 78 years later - we are once more at a crossroad. We gather here together at a time of ever-growing uncertainty, globally and in our wider region. Already in January 2023, the world saw the highest number of violent conflicts since 1945, with one quarter of humanity estimated to live in places affected by conflicts. Our wider region is seeing immense and unrelenting suffering. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and recent conflict in Israel and Gaza, have resulted in serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, as the UN Secretary-General and other UN Bodies have systematically raised. The lack of compliance with international humanitarian law is now a systemic problem, despite the fact that these rules are almost 160 years old. They should since long have become deeply entrenched in all our legal systems and practices, but the fact is, they are not. In addition to the loss of many innocent lives in Ukraine, Israel and most recently in Gaza, and the killing in Gaza of 89 of our UN colleagues - more than in any comparable period in the history of our organization, millions of people are on the move or displaced because of conflicts worldwide. People are also displaced for other reasons, like economic hardship, droughts, floods, environmental hazards as we face the existential threat of climate change and its consequences. Complex challenges – global solutions Our history is joint and highly complex. So are the challenges in today’s interconnected world. If not resolved in a swift and just manner, with no accountability, especially for the most heinous crimes, these can easily lead to wide-spread dissatisfaction, opposition, and a vicious cycle of violence. Eventually, the violence will end – but how many lives will be lost, how many people forcibly displaced, how many children deprived of their childhood, how much life-long trauma will be inflicted, before we say enough is enough, and stop to blame the other only, and stop seeing the challenges we are a jointly facing today from one’s own perspective only. Before we start recognizing humanity, not only in ourselves and those we connect with, but also in the other, to truly see humanity in all, as the key for our common future. To do that, we must learn the lessons from the past, lessons that the people of the Western Balkans know all too well, that there are no winners in wars. Global challenges need global solutions. The United Nations remains the sole global organization with a role to play, with its strengths and despite our weaknesses, as it is able to bring together 193 Member States for dialogue on peace and security, development, and human rights, the three pillars of our joint organization. As Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on UN Day this year ‘The United Nations is a reflection of the world as it is’, a world that is divided. But, as he said, the United Nations is ‘an aspiration of the world we know it can be’, and that ‘we can and must be United Nations’. But let us also remember what former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld said in 1954 that “the UN was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell." Human rights for dignity, freedom, and justice for all The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an important tool in our quest to address today’s multiple challenges. This year, we commemorate the declaration’s 75th anniversary. In spite of the increasing attacks on human rights we have witnessed over the past years, the Universal Declaration may be one of our best hopes, to guide us as we seek to address root causes and prevent these challenges from turning into something worse, like conflict and war.  Heeding the declaration and its thirty articles will help us to build societies which are inclusive, where all people - without discrimination - have access to equal opportunities to develop their full potential, and where children, youth, women and men, can participate, and make their voices heard - even if such voices are critical.  Societies in which everyone respects the other, no matter their differences. Where education and health care is accessible and available to all, without distinction, and with the quality the people deserve. Where work is decent, and where there is social protection for those in need, so that everyone can live a life in dignity. And when violations of rights occur, impartial and independent institutions swiftly and impartially restore justice, treating everyone equally before the law. Montenegro made a comprehensive pledge in September at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) summit. With all SDGs firmly anchored in human rights, Montenegro will better fulfil the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it implements its SDG pledge. I take this opportunity to encourage Montenegro and all other UN Member States represented here today, to make specific human rights pledges. You will be able to showcase your pledges at a high-level event on 11 and 12 December, hosted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, to commemorate Human Rights 75. Let me close by paying tribute to my UN colleagues in Montenegro, without whose dedication we would not be able to perform our role, and by affirming the UN’s commitment to support Montenegro and all UN Member States on their path towards stronger realization of human rights, peace and security and development of all.

Podgorica, 8 November 2023 The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the central theme of the United Nations Day ceremony co-hosted by the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Montenegro Peter Lundberg. The President of Montenegro said that human rights are the basis of every inclusive, just and democratic society. He stated that Montenegro has made significant progress in promoting human rights, but that it still faces challenges in the areas of discrimination, violence and inequality. He particularly highlighted the rights and position of children in Montenegro. “On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I want to draw attention to families that do not have equal opportunities, where children are exposed to poverty, violence and do not have access to education. Official statistics say that almost every third child in Montenegro lives in poverty, and that number is even higher in multi-member families and in certain regions of our country. My message is clear: it is necessary to provide equal opportunities to every child so that none of them live in poverty," President Milatović said. "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," says the first of the 30 articles of the Declaration which prescribe the various rights of every human being, universal, inalienable and based on dignity. The resident coordinator of the UN in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, said that "in spite of the increasing attacks on human rights we have witnessed over the past years, the Universal Declaration may be one of our best hopes, to guide us as we seek to address root causes and prevent these challenges from turning into something worse, like conflict and war". “Heeding the declaration and its thirty articles will help us to build societies which are inclusive, where all people - without discrimination - have access to equal opportunities to develop their full potential, and where children, youth, women and men, can participate, and make their voices heard - even if such voices are critical.“ – said Lundberg and encouraged Montenegro to make specific human rights pledges at the high-level event on 11 and 12 December, hosted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, to commemorate Human Rights 75. In 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with which the member states defined the general view of the rights guaranteed to all people of the world. The Declaration is not a legally binding act, but its articles have been incorporated into the constitutions and laws of United Nations member states through numerous international instruments and conventions. United Nations Day is celebrated around the world in memory of 24 October 1945, when the United Nations Charter came into force. Ratification of that document marked official establishment of the United Nations whose main goals are preserving the peace and security, supporting development and social progress, and protection of human rights. The United Nations was founded by the leaders of 51 countries, and today the world organization has 193 member countries. Montenegro became a member of the United Nations in June 2006, as the 192nd member of the organization.

16 October 2023 World Food Day is one of the most celebrated UN days of the UN calendar, with observances held in over 150 countries worldwide. World Food Day takes place annually on 16 October and promotes awareness of hunger and action for the future of food, people, and the planet. This year’s World Food Day has the theme “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind.” It celebrates one of the planet’s most precious resources: water, and its central role in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Water is essential to life on Earth, and it provides the foundation of our food. It covers the majority of the Earth's surface, makes up over 50 percent of our bodies, supports livelihoods, and produces our food. Indeed, agriculture accounts for 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals. But like all natural resources, fresh water is not infinite. We all need to stop taking water for granted and start improving the way we use it in our daily lives: the food we eat, and how that food is produced. In Montenegro, water is the country’s greatest natural renewable resource with a very high potential for economic development.National marine resources include 293 km of coastline along the Adriatic Sea and a maritime zone extending up to 12 nautical miles offshore. [1] Montenegro is in the top four percent of the world's area with the highest average flow, including high-quality and abundant surface and underground water.[2] About half the country belongs to the Danube catchment and the other half to the Adriatic catchment. Despite that 95 percent of Montenegrin watercourses are formed within the country[3], and its apparent strength and resiliency of the water systems, the country is facing a ‘resource paradox’ that rarely happens in the world: rainfall is high—in some areas even record-breaking— but there is no surface runoff, because the water comes from precipitation, such as rain or melting snow, that is immediately lost to underground streams and usually can no longer be captured for use. The Government of Montenegro recognizes and prioritizes the importance of integrated water resources management for agrifood and aquatic food systems. This emphasis is reflected in the key strategic documents, namely the national Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Areas for 2023–2028 and the national Strategy for Development of Maritime Economy 2020–2030. Under the new FAO Country Programming Framework 2023–2027 for Montenegro, several interventions supporting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture will be implemented with a particular focus on promoting a Blue Transformation plan in Montenegro. FAO’s Blue Transformation Roadmap recognizes the importance of aquatic food systems as drivers of employment, economic growth, social development and environmental recovery, which all underpin the SDGs. FAO encourages all international and national partners and development actors to come together for joint water action to improve the way we use water resources in our daily lives. What can governments do to manage water sustainably for the future of food? Prioritize water in policies and planning; Understand water challenges; Build national water roadmaps and strategies; Invest in capacity development and innovative solutions; Manage water resources in an integrated way that takes into account all uses from fisheries to forestry, agriculture and other sectors; Engage in the Global Dialogue on Water Tenure to shape principles for responsible governance of water resources. What can researchers, civil society and private sector actors do to manage water sustainably for the future of food? Foster innovation and support initiatives to produce goods with less water; Inform water and agriculture policies and advise decision-making processes, advocating for change, accountability and inclusion; Share knowledge, data and skills; Understand where water comes from and where it goes; Cut down pollution in businesses. What can farmers do to manage water sustainably for the future of food? Use and dispose of pesticides and fertilizers correctly; Manage water more efficiently, starting with regularly checking and repairing leaks or overflows and insulate the pipes for energy savings; Adopt sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices to improve efficiency; Share water-gathering duties equally between men and women, boys and girls, so all have time for other activities, including school. What can all of us do to manage water sustainably for the future of food? Choose fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables – they usually take less water to produce; Reduce your food waste. It means less water goes to waste; Save water. This includes using less energy, since much of it is generated using water; Shop sustainably; Don’t pollute water, and take part in clean ups if you can. "Integrated and sustainable water resources management can become the direct accelerator of at least three out of five pillars of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, namely Pillar 2 on Circular Economy, Pillar 3 on Depollution: Air, Water and Soil, and Pillar 4 and Sustainable Food Systems and Rural Areas, with the links to the remaining two pillars on Decarbonization and Climate Resilience, and Biodiversity: Protection and Restoration of Ecosystems. This year’s World Food Day campaign looks at practical and actionable solutions to produce more food and other essential agricultural commodities with less inputs, especially less water,” said Nabil Gangi, Officer-in-Charge for the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia on the occasion of the World Food Day. On World Food Day, reflect on the importance of water to our lives and what can be done to improve access to and management of water resources.   [1] UNEP.2014. Montenegro and Marine Protected Areas: Legal and Institutional framework assessment for conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity and the establishment of MPAs. RAC/SPA and IUCN-Med. Ed. RAC/SPA - MedMPAnet Project, Tunis. 72 pp. (https://www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/content/documents/2016/en_rac_spa_adriatic_mne_2016.pdf) [2] MAFWM.2023. Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2028. (https://wapi.gov.me/download-preview/1e9c16c3-8814-49ab-ba89-de4f60f796af?version=1.0) [3] Montenegro Third National Communication on Climate Change (2020). https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/SubmissionsStaging/NationalReports/Documents/8596012_Montenegro-NC3-1-TNC%20-%20MNE.pdf

Podgorica, 8 September 2023 The President of Montenegro H.E. Jakov Milatović visited the UN Eco House in Podgorica to meet the UN Country Team in Montenegro. President said that the United Nations plays a key role in encouraging international cooperation, solving global challenges, promoting peace, security and sustainable development, and that Montenegro, as a member country, highly values the principles and values of United Nations and is deeply committed to cooperate with the organization to achieve jointly defined goals. "Our meeting today marks the strength of our partnership and the importance of cooperation with the United Nations. It is an opportunity for us to reafirm our commitment and highlight the support provided by the UN in strengthening our country's path towards democratic and economic development. The challenges we face in today's world are complex, from climate change and environmental sustainability to issues of peace and security, humanitarian crises and global health threats, and no country is immune to these changes. Therefore, the support of the United Nations is the foundation on which we can build sustainable growth and prosperity," said President. He reminded that joint efforts in numerous areas such as reducing poverty, creating new jobs, improving access to quality education and healthcare, sustainable development, gender equality, encouraging entrepreneurship, strengthening the agricultural and industrial sectors and all others defined by the national cooperation framework, show mutual commitment acceleration of Montenegro's progress towards Agenda 2030 and accession to the European Union. In this context, President Milatović pointed out that it is extremely important to take concrete steps to face the challenges as quickly and efficiently as possible. "The Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund is an excellent example of how this can be achieved, not only as a financial mechanism, but a powerful tool of influence, given that it aligns with our national development program, strengthening our ability to achieve development goals. It provides the resources needed to increase our efforts, invest in innovative solutions and progress in all areas of sustainable development,” said President. He thanked the United Nations for constant efforts for resolving these issues and said that Montenegro is ready to play the role of a responsible member of the international community, and that the country is fully committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the obligations arising from the Paris Agreement on climate change. He emphasized that at the upcoming UN General Assembly and the SDG Summit our country will reafirm its commitment to those ideals on the global stage and its determination to deal with the challenges it faces on this path. The UN Resident Coordinator, Peter Lundberg thanked the President, on behalf of the UN Team in the country, for the visit and expressed appreciation for Montenegro’s thorough preparations for the upcoming SDG Summit. "We especially welcome the national declaration of commitment through which Montenegro articulates concrete pledges for the acceleration of Agenda 2030, which the President will present at the SDG Summit. That vision was born through a very participatory process, ensuring that national commitments reflect the overall vision of society. That is why it is of particular importance that the Government of Montenegro adopted the national declaration and committed to its implementation," -said Lundberg, emphasizing full readiness of the UN Team to support the country in fulfilling those obligations in order to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This year, H.E. President Jakov Milatović will lead the Montenegrin delegation at the session of the United Nations General Assembly and at the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals. Numerous meetings with high officials of other countries, the academic community and the Montenegrin diaspora are planned on the sidelines of this Summit. In order to strengthen the engagement and visibility of Montenegro in the multilateral system, and through the planned activities at this year's session of the UN General Assembly, the delegation of the President of Montenegro will pay special attention to the promotion of our country's candidacy for membership in the United Nations Security Council in the period 2026-2027.