Podgorica, 9 September 2021 - UNICEF calls upon national and local authorities, parents, teachers and students to ensure that epidemiological measures are respected in every preschool, primary and high school and in all local communities throughout Montenegro in order to keep schools and preschools open safely during the pandemic. It is in the best interest of Montenegro to do this as the developmental loss and compromised learning experiences felt by children and young people cannot be overcome unless they are provided with the opportunity to continuously attend preschools and schools during the pandemic. UNICEF reiterates that the recent UNICEF and UNESCO global report which presents data from 191 countries shows that, so far, no causal link has been observed between the opening of schools and the rate of COVID-19 transmission. Scientific research conducted worldwide shows that as long as measures are respected, schools and preschools can stay open safely. Closing schools does not solve the problem of not respecting the #DistanceHandsMask measures around school buildings. The same behavior will be prevalent in local communities even if schools are closed. This is an issue that needs to be tackled individually by each local community to ensure that everyone respects all current prescribed measures to enable children to go to school and to allow their parents to go to work safely. Juan Santander, the UNICEF Montenegro Representative Dr Senad Begić, Senior Health Consultant at UNICEF Montenegro drew attention to the fact that there was currently a lack of evidence to support the statement that more than 200 students and 50 teachers had been infected in schools -rather than before schools opened- during the first week of the new school year. He also stated that it was crucial for everyone to respect the epidemiological measures in local communities, as well as in preschools and schools. "With the high transmission rates present in local communities, it is indeed unrealistic to expect schools to be ‘isolated islands’ where no virus transmission will ever occur. However, they will remain ‘the safest islands possible’ if all of the control measures are observed. The benefits gained by opening schools, in terms of the wellbeing and development of children, is unparalleled and cannot be compared with any other place or community setting where virus transmission can occur. If schools are closed, children will continue to gather in other unsafe places in the community and the chain of transmission between them will remain. By closing schools, children will be deprived of a nourishing schooling environment and no positive contribution will be achieved regarding controlling the transmission of the virus." Dr Senad Begić, Senior Health Consultant at UNICEF Montenegro The availability of vaccines to teachers, parents and all adult family members has made the opening of schools and preschools even safer, as vaccines significantly reduce the probability that people will suffer from severe forms of COVID-19 and thus need hospitalisation. It is the individual responsibility of each and every one of us to be vaccinated, to get vaccinated, in order to protect ourselves and, in particular, those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. The pandemic has caused the most catastrophic disruption to education in recent history. It will be some time before we can put the pandemic behind us. Children and young people cannot wait anymore. They urgently need to have continuous classroom-based learning. This is of paramount importance for children’s education, for their mental health and for their overall development, as well as for the economy of Montenegro and for the development of the country as a whole. UNICEF, UNESCO and the World Bank have launched Mission Recovery Education 2021 which focuses on three priorities: bringing all children back to school, recovering lost learning and supporting teachers. These priorities are applicable to every country in order to overcome the damage caused by the pandemic and to ensure a better future.

Everybody knows somebody who shares misleading, emotionally charged, or questionable posts. What if that person was you and you didn’t know it? Verified is encouraging the world to pause before you post. Studies show that by pausing before you share, you allow time to think about the information – where it comes from, whether it’s true, when it was written and why you are sharing it. This means you are less likely to spread misinformation. People worldwide are helping spread our #PledgetoPause message across social media. By flooding timelines with this simple message, you can help people stop and think, and slow the spread of harmful misinformation. According to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) study, seeing our Pause message on social media makes people significantly less likely to share misleading headlines. There is reliable information online about COVID-19, but many sources are deliberately misleading, and others bend the truth just to get our attention. When misinformation spreads it becomes hard to contain – and every false share can have damaging consequences. Post one of our share graphics on your timeline, get people’s attention, encourage them to pause before they post.   UNICEF Montenegro Q&As: Fact-checking COVID-19 information    

Human-induced climate change is already affecting many weather and climate extremes in every region across the globe. Scientists are also observing changes across the whole of Earth’s climate system; in the atmosphere, in the oceans, ice floes, and on land. Many of these changes are unprecedented, and some of the shifts are in motion now, while some - such as continued sea level rise – are already ‘irreversible’ for centuries to millennia, ahead, the report warns. But there is still time to limit climate change, IPCC experts say. Strong and sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases, could quickly make air quality better, and in 20 to 30 years global temperatures could stabilize. ‘Code red for humanity’ The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Working Group's report was nothing less than "a code red for humanity. The alarm bells are deafening, and the evidence is irrefutable". He noted that the internationally-agreed threshold of 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels of global heating was "perilously close. We are at imminent risk of hitting 1.5 degrees in the near term. The only way to prevent exceeding this threshold, is by urgently stepping up our efforts, and persuing the most ambitious path. "We must act decisively now, to keep 1.5 alive." The UN chief in a detailed reaction to the report, said that solutions were clear. "Inclusive and green economies, prosperity, cleaner air and better health are possible for all, if we respond to this crisis with solidarity and courage", he said. He added that ahead of the crucial COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in November, all nations - especiall the advanced G20 economies - needed to join the net zero emissions coaltion, and reinforce their promises on slowing down and reversing global heating, "with credible, concrete, and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)" that lay out detailed steps. Human handiwork The report, prepared by 234 scientists from 66 countries, highlights that human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years. In 2019, atmospheric CO2 concentrations were higher than at any time in at least 2 million years, and concentrations of methane and nitrous oxide were higher than at any time in the last 800,000 years. Global surface temperature has increased faster since 1970 than in any other 50-year period over a least the last 2,000 years. For example, temperatures during the most recent decade (2011–2020) exceed those of the most recent multi-century warm period, around 6,500 years ago, the report indicates. Meanwhile, global mean sea level has risen faster since 1900, than over any preceding century in at least the last 3,000 years. The document shows that emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming between 1850-1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of heating. Time is running out The IPCC scientists warn global warming of 2°C will be exceeded during the 21st century. Unless rapid and deep reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades, achieving the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement “will be beyond reach”. The assessment is based on improved data on historical warming, as well as progress in scientific understanding of the response of the climate system to human-caused emissions. “It has been clear for decades that the Earth’s climate is changing, and the role of human influence on the climate system is undisputed,” said IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair, Valérie Masson-Delmotte. “Yet the new report also reflects major advances in the science of attribution – understanding the role of climate change in intensifying specific weather and climate events”. Extreme changes The experts reveal that human activities affect all major climate system components, with some responding over decades and others over centuries. Scientists also point out that evidence of observed changes in extremes such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and tropical cyclones, and their attribution to human influence, has strengthened. They add that many changes in the climate system become larger in direct relation to increasing global warming. This includes increases in the frequency and intensity of heat extremes, marine heatwaves, and heavy precipitation; agricultural and ecological droughts in some regions; the proportion of intense tropical cyclones; as well as reductions in Arctic sea ice, snow cover and permafrost. The report makes clear that while natural drivers will modulate human-caused changes, especially at regional levels and in the near term, they will have little effect on long-term global warming. A century of change, everywhere The IPCC experts project that in the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions. For 1.5°C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons. At 2°C of global warming, heat extremes are more likely to reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health. But it won’t be just about temperature. For example, climate change is intensifying the natural production of water – the water cycle. This brings more intense rainfall and associated flooding, as well as more intense drought in many regions. It is also affecting rainfall patterns. In high latitudes, precipitation is likely to increase, while it is projected to decrease over large parts of the subtropics. Changes to monsoon rain patterns are expected, which will vary by region, the report warns. Moreover, coastal areas will see continued sea level rise throughout the 21st century, contributing to more frequent and severe coastal flooding in low-lying areas and coastal erosion. Extreme sea level events that previously occurred once in 100 years could happen every year by the end of this century. The report also indicates that further warming will amplify permafrost thawing, and the loss of seasonal snow cover, melting of glaciers and ice sheets, and loss of summer Arctic sea ice. Changes to the ocean, including warming, more frequent marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and reduced oxygen levels, affect both ocean ecosystems and the people that rely on them, and they will continue throughout at least the rest of this century. Magnified in cities Experts warn that for cities, some aspects of climate change may be magnified, including heat, flooding from heavy precipitation events and sea level rise in coastal cities. Furthermore, IPCC scientists caution that low-likelihood outcomes, such as ice sheet collapse or abrupt ocean circulation changes, cannot be ruled out. Limiting climate change “Stabilizing the climate will require strong, rapid, and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and reaching net zero CO2 emissions. Limiting other greenhouse gases and air pollutants, especially methane, could have benefits both for health and the climate,” highlights IPCC Working Group I Co-Chair Panmao Zhai. The report explains that from a physical science perspective, limiting human-induced global warming to a specific level requires limiting cumulative carbon dioxide emissions, reaching at least net zero CO2 emissions, along with strong reductions in other greenhouse gas emissions. “Strong, rapid and sustained reductions in methane emissions would also limit the warming effect resulting from declining aerosol pollution”, IPCC scientists underscore. About the IPCC The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide political leaders with periodic scientific assessments concerning climate change, its implications and risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies. In the same year the UN General Assembly endorsed the action by the WMO and UNEP in jointly establishing the IPCC. It has 195 member states. Thousands of people from all over the world contribute to the work of the IPCC. For the assessment reports, IPCC scientists volunteer their time to assess the thousands of scientific papers published each year to provide a comprehensive summary of what is known about the drivers of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and how adaptation and mitigation can reduce those risks. 'Before our very eyes' Multiple, recent climate disasters including devastating flooding in central China and western Europe have focused public attention as never before, suggested Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). “As citizens and as businesses and as governments, we are well aware of the drama,” she said “The drama exists, we have seen it and we heard about it in every news bulletin. And that’s what we need to understand, that the expression of what the science says is exhibited before our very eyes, and of course what this excellent report does is, it projects those scenarios outward, and tells us, if we do not take action, what could be the potential outcomes, or if we do take action, what will be a very good outcome.” Climate adaption critical Apart from the urgent need for climate mitigation, "it is essential to pay attention to climate adaptation", said the WMO chief, Peteri Taalas, "since the negative trend in climate will continue for decades and in some cases for thousands of years. "One powerful way to adapt is to invest in early warning, climate and water services", he said."Only half of the 193 members of WMO have such services in place, which means more human and economic losses. We have also severe gaps in weather and hydrological observing networks in Africa, some parts of Latin America and in Pacific and Caribbean island states, which has a major negative impact on the accuracy of weather forecasts in those areas, but also worldwide. "The message of the IPCC report is crystal clear: we have to raise the ambition level of mitigation."

Chamber of Economy: Interview with Peter Lundberg, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro     Chamber of Economy: The Sustainable Development Goals are both an obligation, but also an opportunity for the countries that inherit the principles of the UN. Our perception of the obligations arising from the UN membership is certainly responsible and dedicated, but the analysis of the situation in this area conducted by the Permanent EU Mission to Montenegro, represents actually a close look at us, and our systemic challenges, opportunities and even weaknesses. What else could you clarify to us in this context? Lundberg: First of all, I would like to commend Montenegro for being a responsible and committed member of the United Nations, having had a very active role in the process of building the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, six years ago. The Agenda 2030 is a collective 15-year development plan aiming to create a better future for all, while leaving no one behind. This vision of a better world, articulated through 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was the first development plan developed jointly by the world leaders and people of the world, and Montenegro’s ability to mobilize over 2% of its population in this process which was exemplary. Moreover, Montenegro was one of the first countries to nationalize SDGs into its strategic framework, as an additional move to “walk the talk” and confirm its strategic orientation towards sustainable future. But this was just a beginning. Setting the stage to fulfil the vision was only the starting point, with hard work ahead on accomplishing such a vision. Progress on achieving the SDGs is an area where the UN takes particular interest to observe and support. While the country’s commitment and progress is this area is unquestionable, we clearly see space for greater progress, especially in increasing ownership and structural enhancement i.e. strengthening the national sustainable development structure which should ensure the full ownership and consistency in steering the process of SDGs achievement. The good news is that a major development process – the EU accession – is highly complementary with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over two thirds of 2030 Agenda is covered by the EU accession process, making the country’s strategic orientation a great comparative advantage of Montenegro’s development prospects. Only when people put aside their differences can we collectively make a sustainable and long-lasting impact. Montenegro could lead the way in this regard.  Chamber of Economy: What is your assessment of the activities that Montenegro has been undertaking over a number of years related to defining the strategic and general approximation to the system of sustainable development, which is part of the program goals of the UN system? Lundberg: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic Montenegro had made broad progress towards the SDGs. This is reflected in its very high development scoring in the Human Development Index. In 2019, Montenegro scored better than some countries which are higher income or are already in the European Union such as Romania and Bulgaria. In fact, Montenegro was achieving human development outcomes far exceeding its GNI per capita, with its human development rank thirteen places better than its expected value. Montenegro is a self-declared ecological state and had reduced its emissions by 30% on its 1990 levels by 2018, part of its Nationally Determined Contributions. Under the National Strategy for Sustainable Development, Montenegro has made progress towards the SDGs. The Progress Report on the implementation of Millennium Development Goals in Montenegro (March 2017) identified EU accession as one of the key factors that contributed to development achievements, including progress in reaching the MDGs. All 33 EU chapters have been opened, of which 3 are provisionally closed. This represents the most progress among Western Balkans countries. Montenegro is beginning to integrate elements of EU rules, which guarantee a greater focus on human rights and social development, into national legislation. Yet Montenegro is the country that has negotiated for the longest period and the pace of progress has slowed in recent years. In light of the current economic crisis it is becoming even more critical to accelerate progress on these goals which, due to their interlinked nature, will also enhance the SDGs at the same time. But as always, we are seeing that statistics mean little to the individual; despite these positive trends from a broad perspective, there are still serious challenges for vulnerable groups who are being left behind. Central to the SDGs is the premise that we should support the most vulnerable and ensure that no one is left behind. Despite the high performance on Human Development Indicators the economy was not creating opportunities for all and the system was not able to ensure that no one was being left behind. This was creating obvious inequalities, between the North and the coastal regions, urban and rural areas and between men and women. These issues will need to be rectified to make real progress towards the SDGs. Now we are seeing that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of these vulnerabilities and inequalities back into context. Unfortunately, the pandemic is worsening vulnerability, poverty and inequality indicators. Some of the indicators have worsened, set back by several years, with Montenegro’s score on human development falling back to its 2014 level. This has heightened the need to address the underlying vulnerabilities that Montenegro faces and to accelerate the pace of implementation of key reforms that will support all Montenegrins. Statistics mean little to the individual. Despite positive trends from a broad perspective, there are still serious challenges for vulnerable. Central to the SDGs is the support the most vulnerable and leaving no one behind. Chamber of Economy: In your opinion, what are the current normative and legal deficiencies or the operational challenges in implementing the policies that are in line with the international standards? Lundberg: In 2019, Montenegro had the highest GDP per capita among non-EU Western Balkans nations. GDP per capita is often used to proxy living standards and overall welfare. However, GDP per capita is not always the best measure of progress and whilst Montenegro had made much progress in previous years, many challenges remained. Montenegro was already embarking on the difficult process of moving from a public sector-oriented economy to a market-based economic model. These brought many challenges to the process of legal and policy reform. As I have previously highlighted, COVID-19 has exacerbated many of the challenges that we face. More fundamentally, the pandemic has exposed and exacerbated structural weaknesses that mean that Montenegro has been one of the worst affected countries economically. Prior to the pandemic Montenegro was subject to internal and external imbalances that had culminated in an economy, heavily dependent on tourism and with little fiscal space to respond to such an economic shock. Added to these structural weaknesses, many jobs were being created in sectors that have median wages below the national average, leaving many at risk of poverty. These structural weaknesses are now creating the results we are seeing, such as the rising level of inactivity and falling employment. There is a real danger that if we do not address these structural weaknesses and move towards a more inclusive and sustainable growth model that history will repeat itself at the next major economic shock. That means that the big challenge for Montenegro in the coming few years will be not only the element of diversifying the economy, but also the need to create better jobs for all (regardless of where they are geographically located, ethnic background, gender, age etc) Montenegrins. Montenegro will need to implement the necessary policies and reforms to create the conditions for inclusive growth – one that is focussed on creating new jobs but also formalising the informal economy. Raising the level of income and creating more formal jobs will not only improve the prospects for Montenegrins but will bring in greater fiscal revenues which can then be spent on essential public goods, such as health and education, improving the prospects for long-term prosperity. Big challenge for Montenegro in the coming few years will be not only the element of diversifying the economy, but also the need to create better jobs for all, regardless of where they are geographically located, ethnic background, gender, age, etc. Chamber of Economy: The Chamber of Economy of Montenegro has been investing a lot of efforts in the development of human resources as an important social capital, as well as in the projects of gender equality, inclusion of the most vulnerable groups, and the encouraging of the creative capacities in all these categories. Where do you see additional resources for further action of the Chamber of Economy, and to which partners and projects could you direct the Chamber as an umbrella association of the Montenegrin business community? Lundberg: Stronger involvement of the private sector is absolutely imperative to reach Agenda 2030 and the SDGs, and that does not go only for Montenegro but for other countries, as well. It has been proven that for such an overarching agenda, we need all other actors in the society to contribute to it, such as the NGO sector, civil sector, and also the private sector. The role of each actor is important, especially as Montenegro continues to progress and moves towards EU accession, traditional support to the SDGs such as Overseas Development Assistance will play a smaller and smaller role. Whereas, the private sector will need to play a bigger role in shaping a sustainable future for Montenegro. These issues go beyond simply the private sector improving the quality of corporate social responsibility, but the private sector taking an active role in developing a more sustainable, greener economy. One of the key steps will be to develop a growing, more prosperous private sector as part of the transition from a public-oriented to a market-oriented one. A private sector that can offer opportunities to more Montenegrins is needed. This private sector will need to embrace new economic models that support these sustainable endeavours. This means not only embracing the digital revolution that COVID-19 has helped to accelerate, but supporting a shift to gender equality, green energy, diversity in employment and more sustainable practices. I would invite the Chamber of Economy, together with other associations representing the Montenegrin business community, to actively promote Agenda 2030 and SDGs among its members and we at the UN remain open to discuss different models and mechanisms for involving the private sector. The private sector will need to play a bigger role in shaping a sustainable future for Montenegro. Chamber of Economy: Montenegro adopted the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. What is your opinion related to the implementation of this document and in this regard, what would you suggest to the institutions and what to the business community? Lundberg: Montenegro was one of the first countries to adopt the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. We would certainly like to see a higher level of commitment when it comes to the Strategy and involvement of all actors, as we see it as the overarching strategy, which could contribute to achieving Agenda 2030 and SDGs. However, the adoption of the strategy is only part of the battle. It’s really the implementation that counts at the end of the day. We need to move away from supporting processes to moving towards delivering outcomes and change that lead to improvements in peoples’ lives. What the SDG analysis shows us is that time is running out and that we are left with nine years to deliver these major national and global commitments. We can all benefit from a healthy, environmentally friendly, economically sustainable, well-educated society, equal for everyone and with strong institutions, but we can all also contribute to it. A concept of doing well by doing good was never as important as in the recent years. A fight against the invisible enemy – COVID19 has proven, once again, that the only way to successfully overcome such a difficult situation was through the active involvement of all actors in society. Montenegro is well placed to make impactful changes with the SDGs. It does not take much to move the needle. What is really needed is different groups coming together in collaboration and partnerships to deliver the change that is needed to benefit all Montenegrins. Currently there is too much polarisation. This needs to be addressed. Only when people put aside their differences can we collectively make a sustainable and long-lasting impact. I believe Montenegro could lead the way in this regard. Montenegro has good strong, dedicated people, who with the wise moves and a clear vision can unlock great potentials that this country has, in a relatively short period of time.