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.

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.

  On 1 January 2023, Montenegro embarked on the implementation of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2023-2027, marking an important milestone in the country's journey towards achieving SDGs. New strategic development plan will be jointly implemented by 18 UN agencies in Montenegro and the Government of Montenegro, together with national and international partners. The UNSDCF 2023-2027 for Montenegro is focused on supporting the country in three strategic areas of cooperation jointly identified by the UN and the Government based on the specific needs of the country: inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability human capital development, reducing vulnerability and social inclusion social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, pointed out vast potentials which different UN organisations bring to support the country, stating that "the SDCF presents an opportunity for the UN to support Montenegro in its efforts to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and to achieve the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." The UNSDCF 2023-2027 is highly complementary to the EU accession process of the country, as both agendas aim to enhance country’s sustainable development and support its economic growth. "The UNSDCF is closely aligned with the EU accession process and supports the Government of Montenegro in its efforts to implement the EU acquis," said Mr. Lundberg praising Montenegro for proactively endorsing Agenda 2030 from its early days, and for the results achieved so far. Strong link between two major development processes was also emphasized by the Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović who emphasized the importance of the joint UN-Montenegro development plan for the period 2023-2027, stating that "Agenda 2030 for Montenegro is of particular importance, considering that it accelerates fulfillment of obligations from the EU agenda bearing in mind that the two processes are to the greatest extent complementary.” Joining forces will be critical for UNSDCF implementation. As Mr. Lundberg noted, "the SDCF provides a roadmap for the UN and the Government of Montenegro to work together to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs, but it is only through the commitment and support of all stakeholders that we can hope to achieve the ambitious goals of the 2030 Agenda. We will need to work together to mobilize the necessary resources, both financial and human, to support the implementation of the UNSDCF and the achievement of the SDGs." The UNSDCF 2023-2027 for Montenegro is an ambitious plan and the strong foundation for SDGs acceleration in the country as well as for reaching its national priorities, primarily EU accession. By working together on its implementation in the next 5 years, the UN team and the Government, together with partners, will be joining forces to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all the citizens of Montenegro.

Budva, 8 december 2022 The Regional Conference “Sustainable Development in the Western Balkans”, co-organized by ReSPA and the United Nations of Montenegro, under the patronage of the Government of Montenegro, provided a high-level regional platform for discussing the sustainable development. The Conference shed a light on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda as an opportunity to significantly improve the social, economic and environmental aspects of life in the Western Balkans. Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Peter Lundberg, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Yngve Engstrom, UN Regional Director for Europe Gwi-Yeop Son, and many other highly-relevant actors and policy-makers from the Western Balkans, senior public servants from the Region, EU experts and representatives of the United Nations shared their views on different practical solutions on how to bring the Western Balkans closer in the achievement of SDGs. The importance of the sustainable development for the Western Balkans was especially highlighted by Prime Minister Abazović who outlined that “if there is a topic in the region that brings entire region together, it is the sustainable development and SDGs. All citizens in the region want clean rivers and air, inclusion, and a better quality of life, as their peer citizens in the EU. Let the sustainable development be a point of unification and reconciliation of the region. I am an optimist that the positive contribution of our region can extend beyond borders of the region”, emphasized Prime Minister Abazović. The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, emphasized the importance of partnership and dialogue for solving the complexities of sustainable development. "Achieving sustainable development is the task we all have to deliver on. Climate change, poverty and inequalities are challenges that span across borders. And, if the challenges span across borders, we need to create space where solutions and knowledge also have no border. The United Nations remain a reliable partner to Montenegro in sharing excellent results achieved so far, but also to move progressively forward, because sustainable development is the game where we have to succeed," says Lundberg. ReSPA Director Maja Handjiska Trendafilova outlined that public administration features more prominently in the Sustainable Development Goals, which indicates the growing importance of a resilient public sector which correlates with ReSPA’s mission and objectives. “This Conference opened a pathway for more concrete actions of the Western Balkans in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. ReSPA has been supporting the Region in ensuring responsive, inclusive, and representative policy-making and upholding the principles of good administration. We are honoured to enable a regional platform for sharing emerging lessons in implementing the 2030 Agenda, focusing on the priorities for accelerated progress in meeting SDGs and ways to strengthen coordination and synergies with relevant intergovernmental processes and start thinking beyond 2030,“ said Handjiska Trendafilova. Deputy Ministers and State Secretaries from the Administrations of the Western Balkans discussed during the High-Level Policy Dialogue Panel on Improving SDG Coordination, from institutional setup to implementing and monitoring sustainable development policies in the Region. Officials shared good practices from their home administrations and exchanged views on how to boost the political dimension of SDGs. Yngve Engstorm, Head of the Department for Cooperation in the EU Delegation to Montenegro, pointed out that Montenegro is in the phase of the accession process, which requires continuous efforts in several areas, as well as the involvement and cooperation between different actors. "This implies a broad political and social consensus on key reforms in building a healthier, fairer and more prosperous society. That is why we need to adopt a holistic approach and build synergies between the implementation of sustainable development goals and EU accession negotiations, especially bearing in mind the limited financial resources and administrative capacities across the Western Balkans six", said Engstorm. Development Coordination Office Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Gwi-Yeop Sun, commended Montenegro for hosting the platform for discussion on very relevant topics related to sustainable development in the Western Balkans. Despite grim outlooks as the Sustainable Development Goals are slipping out of reach, Ms. Sun emphasised that „strengthening partnerships can halt the regression. We know that exchanges such as the Western Balkans Conference led to positive results, more cooperation and coordination for the benefit of us all. We know that cross-border collaboration and exchange of knowledge will lead to more prominent results for us all.“ The Conference, designed as a participatory and discussion forum, also tackled numerous essential topics, such as complementary interlinkages between the Agenda 2030 and EU policies and accession, the Voluntary National Reviews process in the Western Balkans, financing and localization of SDGs and how to make sustainable development closer to the people and broaden partnerships. Also, some of the important topics discussed were the importance of monitoring progress and SDG mid-term review.