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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:
Story
28 November 2023
Latest: UN Montenegro Snapshots
Interested in the work of UN team on the ground?You're at the right place. Take a tour below through the review of monthly newsletters - UN Snapshots - where you can find major actions and results the UN team achieved together with partners in Montenegro. Latest... Highlights from UN's work in Montenegro in 2023 Highlights from UN's work in Montenegro in 2022 Highlights from UN's work in Montenegro in 2021 , filtered_html
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Story
23 October 2023
European Union and Austria signed a partnership within the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund
Podgorica, 23 October 2023.
High representatives of the Delegation of the European Union, Austria and the United Nations system in Montenegro, in the presence of the President and Prime Minister of Montenegro, signed an agreement on the allocation of funds to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund. The Fund is a new generation financial tool established by the UN team in the country, which seeks to pool donor funds that will be directed towards development initiatives.
Click here to donate to Sustainable Development of Montenegro
The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, said that the Fund is not only a financial mechanism, but a powerful means of influence adding that “today's gathering signifies the strength of Montenegro's partnership with the United Nations, the European Union and partner countries.”
"Our country has shown its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by encouraging this initiative and supporting the implementation of the Strategic Framework of Cooperation agreed by the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations. We have also sent a clear signal that Montenegro is focused on development in strategic areas by making a significant contribution to the Fund and paving a way for other countries to do it." – said Milatović.
"With this initiative, we promote the values of the UN, but also generate new value for the citizens of Montenegro. This is the best indicator that a good and inclusive policy pays off and that Montenegro has friends all over the world. We owe a gratitude to the EU, which strongly supports us in this way as well. I invite other countries to join in doing things together, not only for the benefit of Montenegro, but also to send a message of peace and prosperity to everyone, because Montenegro, as an ecological country, is entitled to advocate the Sustainable Development Goals." - said the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović.
The European Union allocated two million EUR for the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, while Austria allocated EUR 1.5 million for this purpose.
The Ambassador of the European Union in Montenegro, Oana Kristina Popa, said that support to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund is a new and innovative form of cooperation.
"We are establishing a unique framework that will allow us access to all 18 UN agencies working in Montenegro. Thus, we will make the best use of their expertise in supporting the necessary reforms and development efforts of Montenegro. Support to the Fund is part of the EU aid package called the Instrument for Reforms, which was created to support Montenegro in solving difficult and structural obstacles to growth, and will include other international organizations, such as the EBRD and the World Bank," said Popa.
"Austria is joining this partnership because of its’ unique setup, its transformative and innovative potential. As such, the Fund is aligned with Austrian foreign policy – to support multilateralism through a strong role of the United Nations, and to support the European perspective of the Western Balkans to progress decisively on their path towards joining the EU - also in the interest of regional stability," said Karl Müller, Ambassador of Austria to Montenegro
Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund supports the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027, a strategic five-year cooperation plan of the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations. By consolidating and directing funds towards development interventions, this Fund aims to provide strategic support for the acceleration of Montenegro's accession to the European Union and at the same time the implementation of the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030.
UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, thanked the European Union and Austria for joining the Fund.
"What we are building in Montenegro with this Fund is a precedent in the development system of the United Nations and an inspiration to other countries. We are very proud to present to you today a new platform for donations and the launch of the Fund's partnership with the private sector. The donor platform, as one of the proofs of the Fund's innovative and inclusive approaches, represents an invitation to the private sector, individuals and friends of Montenegro and United Nations to get involved in supporting the sustainable development of the country," said Lundberg, announcing the first partnership of that kind with the Electric Power Company of Montenegro.
The latest contributions are continuation of support to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund. Previously, contributions to this Fund were provided by the governments of Luxembourg, Switzerland and Montenegro.
The Fund is designed to support strategic initiatives in three priority areas of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027: 1) inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability, 2) human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion and 3) social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.
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Story
26 September 2023
Montenegro: Failure to ensure judicial independence hindering access to justice, says UN expert
Podgorica, 26 September 2023
The failure to elect the seventh member of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme State Prosecutor and new lay members of the judicial council has put plans for judicial reform at risk in Montenegro, a UN expert said today.
“The failure to ensure the independence and integrity of the judicial system in Montenegro is hindering access to justice for its citizens,” said Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers in a statement at end of an official visit to the country.
Satterthwaite said Montenegro’s Parliament had failed, on multiple occasions, to elect the seventh member of the Constitutional Court, the Supreme State Prosecutor, and new lay members of the Judicial Council.
“As a result, strategic leadership in these institutions is lacking, and planning and action for reform of the system is not possible. Members of Parliament must put the interests of their country above politics, and ensure these appointments take place without any further delay,” the expert said.
During her visit, Satterthwaite met with judges and prosecutors who reported working in conditions that were manifestly underfunded. Buildings were old, too small, and in a poor state of repair. There was insufficient office space, creating security risks for judges and prosecutors and IT and digitalisation was severely lacking, the Special Rapporteur found.
“During my visits to courts, I was shocked to see and hear about inadequate facilities for storage of archives and evidence, including firearms and drugs,” the expert said.
Satterthwaite said that while various governments had outlined plans for new court buildings over the years, the plans had not resulted in concrete improvements.
She called for additional resources to be provided and decisions on allocation taken with the strictest respect for the principle of judicial and prosecutorial independence.
The Special Rapporteur met many organisations that described being repeatedly excluded, overlooked, or mistreated by the system. Groups representing persons with disabilities, women survivors of intimate partner and family violence, Roma, LGBT persons and others spoke of excessive delays, insensitive or uninformed judges and prosecutors, and a lack of political will to make progress.
Satterthwaite said she recognised the energy and commitment of individuals she met in every part of the judicial system and civil society, who were sincerely working, in good faith, to provide justice and serve their country.
“I salute their efforts and stand ready to offer my assistance and support. I encourage all others in Montenegro and the broader international community to do the same,” the expert said.
She noted that while many of the laws and systems necessary to ensure independence, integrity and quality justice services were now in place in Montenegro, implementation remains deficient.
“If Montenegro cannot, or will not, take steps to ensure the independent, impartial and competent functioning of the judicial system, then a radical accountability measure, such as vetting, must be considered,” Satterthwaite said.
The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report containing her findings and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2024.
ENDS
*The expert: Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. She was appointed as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers by the Human Rights Council in October 2022. Professor Satterthwaite is an international human rights scholar and practitioner with decades of experience in the field. She is a Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law.
The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page - Montenegro
For further information and media requests, please to hrc-sr-independencejl@un.org
For media inquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org)
Follow news related to the UN's independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.
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Story
20 June 2023
Words can be weapons. #NoToHate
Podgorica, 19 June 2023
Widespread hate speech among young people, its root causes and consequences were at the centre of a dialogue with young people organized by the UN team in Montenegro organised with drama studio “Prazan prostor (Empty Space)” to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, 18 June, in Podgoric’s Dodest theatre.
The event gathered around 60 young people of different ages, different segments of society, from groups that often face hate speech, and representatives of the Protector for Human Rights and Freedoms and of international partners - the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“Fighting hate speech is critically important for the UN. It is, as the Secretary-General has said, a toxic and destructive phenomenon. It goes against the very fundamental promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 75th anniversary we commemorate this year, and which remains as relevant today as it was then,” said Anjet Lanting, Human Rights Adviser in the UN team in Montenegro.
In a dynamic and open discussion, young people agreed that hate speech is omnipresent in their communities, pointing out that the response of society is not nearly sufficient.
The dialogue saw an exchange of experiences, touching testimonies, and concrete examples faced by young people, who identified some of the root causes and key drivers of hate speech. Patriarchal stereotypes, unregulated social media and the lack of prioritizing this problem were just some of the causes mentioned in discussion.
“Hate speech is used at every step and every day, on any possible ground – gender, sexual orientation, nationality, political affiliation, wealth status, popularity in the group… all of these,” said 17-years old Asmir, pointing that at times people justify hate speech by referring to the freedom of speech.
The dialogue with young people was inspired by young actors’ short performances of real-life situations and the short movie “Love and Violence”. The movie depicts a play by young actors of real-life situations and of gender-based hate speech and violence experienced by adolescents. The play is performed in the so-called ‘forum theatre’ – an interactive format with interruptions by moderators at critical moments to engage the audience in discussion.
“What we saw in the movie is very realistic, something that we witness or experience almost on daily basis,” said 12-year-old Iva, noting that hate speech is too often ignored or covered up.
Facilitators from drama studio “Prazan prostor” Marija and Mirko, who have vast experience in facilitating dialogues on this topic, steered the discussion towards helping the young audience to understand the nature of hate speech and to getting them to share their views.
“It’s always fascinating but at the same time shocking when young people unlock their experiences and their attitudes,” said Marija emphasizing that society has an unacceptable level of tolerance towards hate speech and that hate speech these days seems to have become normalized.
“What we heard today is hard hitting, uncomfortable, but it was clear: hate speech and violence in the home, in schools, in media and in society are very real. Young people shared touching experiences, but also important ideas of what they can and will do themselves, and what parents, teachers and leaders should do to stop hate speech and violence,” concluded Anjet Lanting.
The dialogue with young people on hate speech was organized within the initiative to mark the 75th anniversary of Universal Human Rights Declaration - #HR75. The UN Human Rights Office funded the event.
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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., filtered_html
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Story
07 March 2025
Now is the time for Rights, Equality and Empowerment of all women in Montenegro
8 March 2025Today, on International Women’s Day, we call for Rights, Equality, and Empowerment for ALL Women and Girls. In doing so, we recognize that this is still an aspiration. In all societies, gender discrimination persists. There is an urgent need for more collective action to advance equality of women and girls.Equality between men and women is at the core of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted in 1979. Thirty years ago already, in 1995, 189 countries gathered in China and adopted the Beijing Declaration as a Platform for Action to make CEDAW a reality. This Platform has been guiding nations to ensure women and girls can exercise their rights on an equal basis with men and boys. It has driven significant progress, influencing policies and law, leading to stronger legal protection, better support to survivors of gender-based violence and greater economic empowerment. However, for hundreds of millions of women and girls across the world, many of the promises of the Beijing Platform remain unfulfilled. In 2024, the CEDAW Committee, mandated to follow-up on the implementation of the Convention, found that Montenegro has achieved progress, but expressed concern that patriarchal attitudes and related gender roles and stereotypes remain deeply rooted, resulting in persistent gender inequality. Political participation remains low. Less than a third of Montenegro’s Parliamentarians are women. No political party is headed by a woman. With regards to economic equality, on average women in Montenegro earn 20% less than men for the same work, showing an urgent need to tackle gender-based discrimination in employment. Most disturbingly, violence against women in Montenegro remains high. Only a fraction of the cases gets to court, showing insufficient accountability for violence against women. This notwithstanding, in 2024 586 cases of domestic violence were recorded, and since 2017 17 women have been murdered in Montenegro by their partners. We welcome ongoing efforts to make femicide a specific crime in law. In addition, certain groups of women face particular marginalization. Roma and Egyptian girls in or are at risk of early marriages, women and girls with disabilities, women with diverse sexual orientation and gender identity and displaced women, face heightened risks of violence, discrimination, and barriers to accessing services and legal protection. Specific programmes are needed to secure their rights.Next week, Montenegro will send a strong delegation, with support from UNDP, to attend the meetings of the UN Commission on the Status of Women at UN Headquarters in New York. The Montenegro delegation will show the progress made by the country regarding the Beijing Platform. It will undoubtedly also be part of a broad coalition of Governments and civil society that uphold human rights, at a time when this effort is more critical than ever before. Millions of women and girls around the world will be watching, their hopes high, as living their lives fully and in dignity depends on these outcomes. The UN family in Montenegro stands with the Government and the people of Montenegro to redouble efforts towards gender equality - because gender equality matters to everyone, everywhere.
Diego Zorrilla, UN Resident Coordinator, on behalf of the UN Country Team in Montenegro , filtered_html
Diego Zorrilla, UN Resident Coordinator, on behalf of the UN Country Team in Montenegro , filtered_html
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Story
13 March 2025
A new chapter in life: Starting a business in Montenegro
Selim, 24, was granted international protection in 2022 while his family remained in his country of origin. His journey was long and exhausting as he travelled across the territory of seven countries, mostly on foot before he reached Montenegro.“You can’t even imagine my journey – often without food and water,” he said. “From Bosnia, I took a bus to Montenegro. I googled and saw that Montenegro is a good country where you can achieve your rights, so I decided to come here.”While in Montenegro, he only has positive experiences: “Everyone I met treated me well. People in Montenegro are kind. Also, there is a big difference between my country of origin and Montenegro. For example, in my country, they don’t wear pants and jeans, which I have gotten used to now.”Selim is very proactive regarding work: “I founded a construction company in April this year. A friend from Montenegro helped me with the procedure, so I opened the company without any problems. I have 17 employees from Azerbaijan and cooperate with two companies in Montenegro. It is going very well so far.” He recalls, “When I decided to open a company, some people told me not to do it. They didn’t encourage me, but I knew I could, and I’m proud of myself. In my opinion, you shouldn’t wait for someone to give you something. People in Montenegro are kind and show you the way to do things.” When it comes to his future, he says: “I plan to stay in Montenegro. That’s why I opened a company.”Selim concludes with a message to people in a similar situation: “If someone ends up like me, he should be proactive. As I hear, many people who come here and receive documents leave the country. In my opinion, they are making a wrong choice. I started from zero. If I went to another country, I would have to start from zero again. That’s why I decided to build my life in Montenegro.”
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By: Nina Scepanovic , filtered_html
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Story
13 January 2025
WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record
The global average surface temperature was 1.55 °C (with a margin of uncertainty of ± 0.13 °C) above the 1850-1900 average, according to WMO’s consolidated analysis of the six datasets. This means that we have likely just experienced the first calendar year with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average. “Today’s assessment from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) proves yet again – global heating is a cold, hard fact,” said UN Secretary-General Antóno Guterres.“Individual years pushing past the 1.5 degree limit do not mean the long-term goal is shot. It means we need to fight even harder to get on track. Blazing temperatures in 2024 require trail-blazing climate action in 2025,” he said. “There's still time to avoid the worst of climate catastrophe. But leaders must act – now,” he said.The WMO provides a temperature assessment based on multiple sources of data to support international climate monitoring and to provide authoritative information for the UN Climate Change negotiating process. The datasets are from the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), Japan Meteorological Agency, NASA, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the UK’s Met Office in collaboration with the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (HadCRUT), and Berkeley Earth.“Climate history is playing out before our eyes. We’ve had not just one or two record-breaking years, but a full ten-year series. This has been accompanied by devastating and extreme weather, rising sea levels and melting ice, all powered by record-breaking greenhouse gas levels due to human activities,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. “It is important to emphasize that a single year of more than 1.5°C for a year does NOT mean that we have failed to meet Paris Agreement long-term temperature goals, which are measured over decades rather than an individual year. However, it is essential to recognize that every fraction of a degree of warming matters. Whether it is at a level below or above 1.5°C of warming, every additional increment of global warming increases the impacts on our lives, economies and our planet,” said Celeste Saulo.There is a margin of uncertainty in all temperature assessments. All six datasets place 2024 as the warmest year on record and all highlight the recent rate of warming. But not all show the temperature anomaly above 1.5 °C due to differing methodologies.The timing of the release of the six temperature datasets was coordinated across the institutions in order to underline the exceptional conditions experienced during 2024. A separate study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that ocean warming in 2024 played a key role in the record high temperatures. The ocean is the warmest it has ever been as recorded by humans, not only at the surface but also for the upper 2000 meters, according to the study led by Prof. Lijing Cheng with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It involved a team of 54 scientists from seven countries and 31 institutes. About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world’s total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset. WMO will provide full details of key climate change indicators, including greenhouse gases, surface temperatures, ocean heat, sea level rise, glacier retreat and sea ice extent, in its State of the Global Climate 2024 report to be issued in March 2025. This will also give details of high-impact events. , filtered_html
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Story
26 December 2024
Citizens and Institutions in Action for Social Cohesion
Podgorica, 4-5 December 2024Over 140 citizens of Podgorica, together with representatives of local institutions, the United Nations, and the Government of Montenegro, participated in the Podgorica Dialogue as part of the UN Joint Programme Together for the Common Good. Through open discussions, innovative activities, and collaborative efforts, participants identified key challenges and proposed solutions to strengthen social cohesion and improve quality of life in the local community.“In a time when UN values are under attack, we must be mindful of the issues that divide society. Trust lies at the heart of social cohesion,” said UN Resident Coordinator Diego Zorilla at the opening the event. UNDP Resident Representative Ekaterina Paniklova highlighted that Montenegro advances on its path toward European Union membership and it does so guided by values that foster social harmony. "Human dignity, democracy, equality, human rights...These principles are essential for building trust and solidarity within and among communities,” said Paniklova.Representing the Government of Montenegro, Vučić Ćetković, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Culture and Youth, emphasized that “the strength of a community is not in its size but in its deep connection. We are building a society where no one is left behind.”Ideas from this exchange will shape the upcoming Social Cohesion Innovation Lab, transforming the shared vision of a connected and inclusive community into tangible actions. The programme Together for Common Good - Enhancing citizens’ trust in institutions and building resilient communities is implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, and UNESCO in cooperation with Government of Montenegro. The programme is funded by UN Peacebuilding Fund.
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Story
13 March 2025
Journey of eight: Embracing a new life in Montenegro
Viktor and Sophia came to Montenegro with six children, four boys and two girls, ages from 4 to 19. In May 2024, they were granted international protection, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.The decision to leave their home was made overnight due to the challenging situation in their homeland. The Balkans were utterly unfamiliar, and their children had never travelled abroad. At the time, their youngest daughter was only two years old.Before their arrival, they had little knowledge of Montenegro. Upon coming here, they were all pleasantly surprised by the welcoming treatment they received, especially at the border.As the family settles into a new life, they begin to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. "Montenegro is wonderful," they say. "We love the sea, the stunning landscapes, and the pomegranate juice". They noticed several differences between Montenegro and their home country. "In our country, everything that needs to be done today gets done yesterday, while in Montenegro, things are more relaxed and easier to arrange. Also, what we like about Montenegro is that everything is very close by, and holidays are celebrated similarly to our country - with family, good food, and music."Viktor and Sophia are educated musicians. Viktor played the accordion and was a prominent person at the university education level. His wife, Sophia, is a solo singer specialising in traditional music.They are currently working online, which provides them with income to cover some expenses.The transition to school life in Montenegro was smooth for their children. Three of their six children are attending primary school in Montenegro. “The school here is good,” one of the children shared. “Friends and teachers are nice, and the subjects are easy. My favorite subjects are physical education and music.” Maxim, the eldest son, found a way to express his creativity by crafting leather accessories, such as bags, wallets, jewelry and keychains.He has set up an Instagram page to showcase and sell his work and dreams of starting his own business. He works with genuine leather he obtains from Italy. All these products are handmade and unique in design and quality of production. UNHCR’s partner organisations, Red Cross Montenegro and Civic Alliance, provided maximum support. “They helped with school enrollment and health check-ups and made us feel genuinely protected by clearly explaining the entire process.”Looking into the future, the family plans to stay in Montenegro. “We like the healthy lifestyle, the climate, and the people here,” they said. They had a message for others in similar situations: “Don’t be afraid of change. Every change leads to something better, just as it did for us. Don’t focus too much on the material things left behind. Instead, focus on the future and creating something new in your new country. Unity, family, and togetherness will lead you to the right place.”
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By: Nina Scepanovic, filtered_html
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Press Release
18 September 2023
UN expert to visit Montenegro to assess the independence of justice system
GENEVA (18 September 2023) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, will conduct her first official visit to Montenegro from 19 to 26 September 2023.
During her visit, Satterthwaite will assess the measures taken by the Government to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the free exercise of the legal profession. She will examine the ongoing reform process of the judiciary to assess its compliance with international human rights standards, such as the independence of the judiciary and the principle of separation of powers. She will also examine the issue of access to justice for all, seeking to understand the way ordinary people in Montenegro experience the judicial system.
The expert will meet Government officials and members of the Parliament, judges, prosecutors and lawyers. She will also meet representatives of civil society, academia, UN agencies, donors and the diplomatic community.
Satterthwaite will hold a press conference on Tuesday 26 September at 10:30 local time at the UN Eco House. Access is strictly limited to journalists.
The Special Rapporteur will present her report to the Human Rights Council in June 2024.
ENDS
*The expert: Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. She was appointed as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers by the Human Rights Council in October 2022. Professor Satterthwaite is an international human rights scholar and practitioner with decades of experience in the field. She is a Professor of Clinical Law at New York University School of Law.
The Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent of any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page - Montenegro
For further information and media requests, please to hrc-sr-independencejl@un.org
For media enquiries regarding other UN independent experts, please contact Maya Derouaz (maya.derouaz@un.org) or Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org).
Follow news related to the UN's independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.
Concerned about the world we live in?
Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org , filtered_html
Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org , filtered_html
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Press Release
14 June 2023
Full commitment to further cooperation with the United Nations on SDGs achievement
Podgorica, 13 June 2023
The President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, received the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg.
The topics of discussion were further streams of cooperation between Montenegro and the United Nations, the upcoming UN General Assembly and the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, which will be held this fall at the UN headquarters in New York, USA.
"We continue our successful cooperation with thanks to the United Nations agencies for supporting the democratic and economic development of our country. The General Assembly and the Summit will be an opportunity for Montenegro to show that it is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and that we are ready to work additionally on their further fulfillment," said President Milatović.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Peter Lundberg thanked Montenegro for the donation of one million euros to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, which is the largest single per capita contribution to such a financial mechanism in relation to the number of inhabitants.
He said that, as before, Montenegro will have full support of the United Nations in all areas of development, especially in the strategic areas of the Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development 2023-2027.
"We believe that the issue of social cohesion, as one of your priorities but also an important segment of the work of the United Nations, will be properly addressed through the UN Secretary General’s Peace Building Fund" said Lundberg, highlighting that the UN system remains a reliable partner of the people of Montenegro in achieving national development priorities.
Two dignitaries also agreed to work on joint activities to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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Press Release
10 March 2023
UN Montenegro and governments of Montenegro and Switzerland signed a 2.5 million EUR contribution to the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund
Podgorica, 7 February 2023
The Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazović, the UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg and the Ambassador of Switzerland to Montenegro Urs Schmid signed an agreement today on the allocation of 2,5 million EUR for the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund. The Fund is a new generation financial tool established by the UN team in the country, which seeks to pool donor funds that will be directed towards development initiatives.
The Government of Montenegro allocated EUR 1 million for the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, while the Government of Switzerland supported this initiative with EUR 1.5 million. Previously, the contribution to the Fund was determined by the Government of Luxembourg.
"The idea and vision of this Government is to make Montenegro a white and green destination. It is not an easy job, because we have to change a lot, and we have to have sustainable projects. I am more than sure that this Fund will give us a chance to find a good project and that after its implementation we will have a much better situation in terms of sustainable development,“ said Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazović.
Montenegro's contribution to sustainable development through this funding modality is particularly significant from the perspective of the country's size and economy. Montenegro hereby invests €1.3 per capita in sustainable development through the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, which is more than all countries in the region. This also stands as clear indicator of Montenegro's strategic orientation towards sustainable development and cooperation with the United Nations.
UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg pointed out that the Fund has been designed as a powerful catalyst for accelerating SDGs implementation in the country.
"The Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund is a common vision of accelerated achievement of Agenda 2030. Considering the enormous development potential, the Fund can be an important tool for country’s development and achievement of national priorities, primarely country's accession to the European Union," said Lundberg, adding that the Fund is the result of a true development partnership.
Urs Schmid, ambassador of Switzerland, which is currently the largest donor to the Fund, pointed out that bilateral relations between Switzerland and Montenegro are very dynamic and that Switzerland is among the five largest foreign investors in Montenegro with around 800 million euros invested since 2003.
"Switzerland's participation in the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund will further improve relations between our two countries and I believe that our contribution will encourage other countries and development partners to join this innovative financial mechanism and to contribute that way to acceleration of reforms in Montenegro," said Schmid.
By consolidating and directing funds towards targeted development interventions, the Fund will be catalyzing not only SDGs but also acceleration of Montenegro's accession to the EU, given the high level of alignment between the Agenda 2030 and the EU accession process.
The Fund is designed to support strategic initiatives in three priority areas of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027: 1) inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability, 2) human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion and 3) social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.
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Press Release
13 April 2023
Fighting hate speech is everyone's job
Podgorica, 8 december 2022
Dealing with hate speech was the central theme of the panel discussion "Silencing Hate" organized by the United Nations system ahead of International Human Rights Day, 10 December.
People who were targeted by hate speech because of who they are, what they do or because of the perception that they are different shared their experiences. Panelists and audience discussed possibille joint actions in facing the challenges that hate speech brings.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Peter Lundberg, pointed out that Montenegro is experiencing an increase in hate speech and added that it is not the only country facing this problem.
“Unfortunately, we are witnessing the global growth of misinformation, fake news and divisive narratives that lead directly to discrimination, hate speech and even hate crimes. The scale and impact today, especially with social media as a global platform for spreading hate, is greater and growing faster than ever. This is why the United Nations adopted the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Hate Speech in 2019, within which we strive to, in cooperation with partners, take actions aimed at combating hate speech. Because the fight against hate speech is the job of all of us," said Lundberg, stating that fighting hate speech does not represent limiting freedom of expression in an arbitrary or illegal way, but preventing hatred from escalating into discrimination, hostility and violence.
The Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Đeka, pointed out that Montenegro strives to maintain its European path and to improve respect for human rights as well as to persevere in strengthening tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
"Hate speech should be reduced every day, by turning to content which can contribute to our further education, general culture, raising awareness of essential things. By repeating what has been said, we give additional importance to negative streams.We need to continuously suppress negative phenomena in society. The catalysts of every change, good or bad, are we, ourselves," Đeka said.
The audience heard testimonies of panelists who were exposed to various forms of hate speech, among which were members of the Roma community, the LGBT community, persons with disabilities, women and others who were targeted by the hate speech.
"I'm afraid we're normalizing hate speech and that's what worries me a lot. Hate speech is, above all, humiliation and persecution of those who are different, and it is high time for this topic to be opened seriously," said Sabina Talović from Pljevlja, who was a victim of hate speech.
Human Rights Day is commemorated every year on 10 December 1948, when the UN General Assemblyadopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since then, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been the basis for a growing system that promotes and protects the rights of all people in the world.
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Press Release
13 April 2023
Government and UN signed UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027
Podgorica, 20 July 2022
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro Ranko Krivokapić and the UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg signed today the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework UNSDCF 2023-2027, to pave the way for UN-Montenegro collaboration in the next five years.
Minister Krivokapić said that the next five years are crucial for Montenegro's cooperation with the UN and the EU, and that it would be useful to turn two parallel roads into a single path, which will end in 2027 with membership in the European Union.
Montenegrin Foreign Minister pointed out that the main benefit of all engagements of Montenegro with the United Nations, as well as with Euro-Atlantic partners, is full understanding.
“We feel like a country that has full understanding on its path to European integration, dignified membership in the UN, as well as belonging to the Euro-Atlantic community,” - said Krivokapić, emphasizing that this understanding is no less important than the multiple assistance we receive in areas that modernize our society, adding that the number of countries and agencies that support Montenegro is beyond any expectation.
Emphasizing that social inclusion is the way how small communities function and exist, Krivokapić said that they survive on solidarity and connection, which is not only economic and social, but also has an emotional note that gives the full feeling of living in one society.
Speaking about the parallel process of European integration, he said that there is no more time to delay, and that every wind is good for a ship that knows where it is going, while there is no good wind for a ship that does not know where it is going.
“Our path is the EU, but that path cannot be limitless, that path must have its own time frames set for Montenegro, through constant reforms that are achievable in the next five-year period, but also shorter than that,” said Krivokapić.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Peter Lundberg said that the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, jointly adopted today, represents the foundations of cooperation between Montenegro and the United Nations in the next five years.
“This common vision of development, based on jointly identified development priorities, will help accelerate our journey towards the Agenda 2030, but also the EU accession of Montenegro," said Lundberg, emphasizing that one of major drivers of the process will be the Montenegro Acceleration Fund, a new generation of pooled funds to help solve development challenges.
Before signing the UNSDCF, the Government and UN team held the Joint Country Steering Committee meeting, to review implementation of the Integrated UN Programme (UNDAF) 2017-2022, including joint results in 2021 and plans for 2022.
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