Latest
Press Release
18 September 2023
UN expert to visit Montenegro to assess the independence of justice system
Learn more
Story
08 September 2023
Montenegro fully committed to the Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more
Story
22 August 2023
Why the SDGs financing matters for Montenegro?
Learn more
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
08 September 2023
Montenegro fully committed to the Sustainable Development Goals
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.
1 of 5

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

Story
19 July 2023
Montenegro’s promise for the future: Stepping up commitments for Agenda 2030
Podgorica, 19 July 2023
Education for the 21st century, greater participation of young people and women, strengthening of human rights institutions and raising awareness of human rights, inequality and discrimination, stronger focus on production and greater use of data with clearly set target values, were some of the key conclusions resulted from the broad national consultations on identifying Montenegro’s priorities for acceleration of the Agenda 2030 and the list of National commitments that the country will present on the upcoming SDG Summit in UN HQ in September 2023.
The dialogue which has been organised by the Government’s Office for Sustainable Development and UN Country Team, gathered various national actors to discuss potential commitments which the President will deliver to the UN General Assembly.
“Prioritization of SDGs is not simple. It’s rather very complex and inclusive task. That is why it is very important to have broad dialogue like ours today, which will enables broad participation in paving the way of our country on the second half of path towards Agenda 2030,” said Mladen Grgić, Advisor to the President, noting that the Constitution of Montenegro is an excellent basis and a vision for desiging country's pledges for the future.
Juan Santander, a.i. UN Resident Coordinator and UNICEF Representative reminded participants that “half-way on Agenda 2030, the World is on the rate of only 12% of SDGs is on the track".
"SDG Summit is an opportunity to accelerate implementation of this global collective plan through counties renewed commitments,” said Santander who underlined that SDG implementation can be successful only if that process includes all actors.
Adviser to the Prime Minister, Andrej Bracanović, pointed out that the prerequisites for achieving SDG have been met through the positioning of the institutional framework in the General Secretariat of the Government, and emphasized the importance of financing sustainable development.
“Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund will be powerful tool in fulfilling Montenegro’s SDG commitments,” said Andrej Bracanović, Advisor of the Prime Minister, highlighting that in a very short period since the establishment of the Fund it has generated remarkable resources, heading towards the amount of six million by the end of the year.
The dialogue was inspired by the findings of the study on Montenegro’s priorities ahead of submitting the country’s pledges at the upcoming SDG Summit in UN HQ in September this year. The research conducted by UNDP consultants Olivera Komar and Gerald Berger dives into possible concrete interventions of the country in specific areas such as green transition and climate action, leaving no one behind, quality education, justice for all, gender equality, youth participation.
“The study basically screens where the country stands now and where it can be in due time, offering tangible potential goals to which the country can commit. When considering commitments, it is very important to be realistic, but I would add also to be a bit ambitions,” said Olivera Komar, co-author of the study and professor at the Faculty of Political Science.
In a focused group work, participants discussed strategic priorities in the context of country’s vision up to 2030. Conclusions which resulted from the dialogue will serve as guiding inputs for national statement which will be delivered by Montenegro at the SDG Summit, during the UN General Assembly in September this year.
The national consultation event was organised within the "Dialogue for Development" platform of the National Council for Sustainable Development, which was established through the National Adaptation Plan project financed by the Green Climate Fund.
Photo Gallery
1 of 5

Story
04 July 2023
Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund Steering Committee established
Representatives of the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations system in Montenegro, together with representatives of international strategic partners - Switzerland and Luxembourg, held a constitutive session of the Steering Committee of the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund (MAF). The Fund is a new generation financial tool established by the UN Montenegro, which aims to pool partner funds and direct them for development initiatives.
On today's session, the MAF Steering Committee made a decision to release 1,3 million USD for three calls for proposals to accelerate SDGs implementation in Montenegro and support the EU accession through innovative solutions and joint-action.
The Prime Minister Dritan Abazović said that today's meeting of the MAF Steering Committee is a confirmation of previous intentions and joint, intensive work.
„We believe that in the coming period these funds will grow, because the Government of Montenegro is determined to provide full and strategic support through this Fund to accelerating the SDGs implementation, which is to a great extent harmonized with the process of Montenegro's accession to the EU,“ Prime Minister said.
The MAF Steering Committee consists of representatives of the Government, the UN system in the country and strategic partners, including: Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg, advisors to the Prime Minister Ivo Šoć and Andrej Bracanović, UNICEF Representative in Montenegro Juan Santander, ILO project coordinator Nina Krgović, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Montenegro Philippe Donckel and the Head of the Swiss Development Cooperation Office in Belgrade Richard Kohli. The newly formed body is in charge of managing the Fund, strategic positioning, supervision, making decisions on the distribution of funds as well as other important aspects of the Fund's operations.
UN Resident Coordinator Peter Lundberg thanked Prime Minister Abazović for his leadership and personal commitment to the establishment and early success of the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund, and for recognizing the Fund as a tool for investing in a specific development niche of sustainable development and the EU accession process.
"This is also reflected in the financial contribution of Montenegro to the Fund in the amount of one million euros. Observed per capita, it is €1.6 invested in sustainable development through the Accelerated Development Fund. By comparison, this is a very large amount per capita in comparison with many other countries in Europe and in Central Asia region, who also invests in country-based sustainable development pooled funds." - said Lundberg,.
The founding of the MAF Steering Committee followed after the Fund generated partnerships worth EUR 2.6 million at the beginning of the year, shortly after its formation. Apart from the Government of Montenegro, the Government of Switzerland also supported this initiative with EUR 1.6 million. Previously, the contribution to the Fund was determined by the Government of Luxembourg.
Montenegro's contribution to sustainable development through this financing model is particularly significant when put into the perspective of the country's size and economy. The Fund for Accelerated Development of Montenegro is designed as a strong catalyst for accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
By consolidating and directing funds towards targeted development interventions, the Fund aims to also contribute to the acceleration of Montenegro's accession to the EU.
The fund is designed to support strategic initiatives in three priority areas of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation 2023-2027: 1) inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability, 2) human capital development, reducing vulnerability, social inclusion, and 3) social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights.
1 of 5

Story
17 July 2023
On World Refugee Day, Montenegrin Prime Minister reiterates refugees can find hope away from home in this small Balkan country
16–22 June 2021
Every year, on 20 June the world celebrates the strength and resilience of refugees and other people forced to flee. This year on World Refugee Day, UNHCR called on communities and governments across the world to create solutions and ensure inclusion of forcibly displaced people.
In Montenegro, UNHCR and its partners commemorated the World Refugee Day through a series of events taking place between 16 – 22 June 2023, celebrating the many contributions refugees make when included in the host communities, while reaffirming the commitment of both Montenegro and the international community to continue supporting them.
UNHCR Montenegro marked on 20 June the World Refugee Day together with partners in an event that gathered, for the first time ever, the highest level of attendance for the operation. The Prime Minister Mr Dritan Abazovic, the Head of EU Delegation, H.E. Ms. Oana-Cristina Popa and the Ukrainian Ambassador, H.E. Oleg Herasymenko joined the UNHCR Representative, Mr. Jean Yves Bouchardy to give opening statements and echo their unwavering commitment to protection and solutions.
The Prime Minister of Montenegro expressed gratitude to UNHCR for its support as well as for recognizing the many contributions and results Montenegro made in providing protection to those forced to flee.
“The history has thought us Montenegrins to be welcoming to refugees, given that we saw firsthand during the turbulent 90s that anyone can be forced to flee. Even then, Montenegro provided safety to all who needed it. Today, I am particularly proud that the country provides safety to over 32,000 Ukrainians who can call Montenegro their home. For the Government of Montenegro, it is imperative that they feel safe, welcomed, and included,” said the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Mr. Dritan Abazovic.
UNHCR Representative to Montenegro commended Montenegro’s commitment to its open-door policy since 1992 and highlighted the importance of inclusion and subsequent access to rights for all who seek protection in the country.
“We at UNHCR commend Montenegro for having shown over the years a strong generosity and dedication to address the plight of forcibly displaced persons, regardless of their ethnic and religious background or political opinion. Today, the country is home to one of the largest per capita Ukrainian refugee populations in the world. The country is also at a doorstep of ensuring no other person is born stateless. The numerous results Montenegro achieved illustrate the spirit of inclusion and show Montenegro can be a source of Hope Away from Home for those forced to flee,” said UNHCR Representative to Montenegro, Mr. Jean Yves Bouchardy.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro talked about the importance of Temporary Protection Directive, which swiftly provided the Ukrainian refugees with access to protection and subsequent rights, such as employment, accommodation, healthcare and education.
“I commend Montenegro for demonstrating unparalleled hospitality towards Ukrainian refugees. Now more than ever, the EU remains committed to supporting those forced to leave their homes worldwide. In this endeavor, we are working hand in hand with our partners around the world. In Montenegro, we are especially proud of our partnership with the UNHCR and the national authorities. This partnership and cooperation is key for the paramount task of ensuring refugees feel safe and included,” said the Head of EU Delegation to Montenegro, H.E. Ms. Oana-Cristina Popa.
H.E. Ambassador of Ukraine, Mr. Oleg Herasymenko, expressed gratitude to the people and the government of Montenegro for selflessly hosting Ukrainian refugees, despite being a territorially small country. The ambassador also praised the commitment of UNHCR in finding practical and durable solutions for refugees residing in the country.
On 19 June, UNHCR Representative awarded the diplomas to students at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro for successfully completing the Legal Clinic on the Refugee Law. Mr. Bouchardy expressed gratitude to the Faculty of Law for the continuous cooperation since 2007 and stressed that over the years nearly 500 students have completed the Legal Clinic and learned about UNHCR’s mandate and the refugee law.
On the eve of 20 June, the Capital City of Podgorica illuminated the bridge Millennium and joined UNHCR in marking the World Refugee Day by showing solidarity with persons forced to flee from due to war or persecution. This is but one of the side-activities the office has conducted in Montenegro to commemorate this important day.
On 21 June, UNHCR, UNHCR’s legal aid partner the Civic Alliance and the Municipality of Bar commemorated the World Refugee Day at the plateau in front of King Nikola’s Castle at the coastal city of Bar, which hosts numerous Ukrainian refugees. UNHCR Representative expressed gratitude to the citizens of Bar and the local authorities for hosting one of the largest Ukrainian refugee communities in the country. The opening remarks were followed by a cultural programme, including a refugee choir ensemble “Zima”, children theatre play, as well as an exhibition of paintings from refugee children.
On 22 June, the Red Cross of Montenegro and UNHCR organized a community-based event for children, reinforcing the World Refugee Day messaging in the context of refugee child protection and inclusion. The event, which included numerous sports activities for the children in the largest park in the capital city of Podgorica was attended by numerous guests, including Ukrainian Ambassador to Montenegro.
In the lead-up to World Refugee Day, on 15 – 16 June, UNHCR, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the Embassy of Ukraine in Montenegro, the Chamber of Commerce and the Union of Employers, jointly organized a job fair for Ukrainian Temporary Protection holders. Some 30 employers, mostly from the tourism sector, attended the job fair and presented their vacancies, with over 100 refugees attending the event.
Photo Gallery
1 of 5

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
Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org
1 of 5
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.
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
Latest Resources
1 / 11
Resources
24 March 2023
Resources
01 July 2022
Resources
15 October 2021
Resources
15 October 2021
1 / 11