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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 2022
Highlights from UN's work in Montenegro in 2021
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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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Then STAND UP for someone's rights today.
#Standup4humanrights
and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org
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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.
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Story
24 November 2023
Dairy farmers in Montenegro take ownership of local development
Agriculture plays a central role in Montenegro’s economy, with livestock breeding being the most important agriculture subsector. Now, farmers are learning how to take ownership of their local farm development by applying the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The FAO project, helping livestock keepers in improving farm management, hygienic standards and farming practices that established introduced the FFS approach in the country is about to conclude; another will follow in early 2024 to harness the potential of peer learning among Montenegro’s livestock farmers.
The Farmer Field School approach is a field-based participatory education initiative in which a group of farmers meet regularly to study a particular subject. The approach follows the natural cycle of the topic covered, for example, the reproductive cycle of cattle. When necessary, participants can seek external or expert advice. In Montenegro, Farmer Field Schools have now been established in three municipalities: Berane, Bijelo Polje, and Pljevlja.
“FAO has been promoting Farmer Field Schools for over 30 years in more than 90 countries, but this is the first time that the method has been introduced in the Western Balkans on livestock,” explained Tibor Szucs, FAO livestock production specialist. “There are no classroom lectures in this approach, instead farmers learn from each other and by doing and experimenting with the problems encountered in the barn.”
Agricultural producers are among the most vulnerable groups in Montenegro of risk of poverty. The insufficient application of good agricultural practices and a lack of knowledge are among the challenges that hamper farmers’ economic growth and their livelihoods.
Specifically, cattle farmers in Montenegro require adequate support to improve farming conditions, adopt adequate technologies for milk hygiene and storage, and upgrade the feeding of livestock. Furthermore, animal health problems, especially production diseases, can hamper the sector’s long-term competitiveness and sustainability. These issues were the focus of discussion by the farmers.
The work in the farmer groups started with ranking the problems, followed by experimenting with potential solutions. Monitoring the outcomes and evaluating the results are key, allowing farmers not only to define what is the most pressing issue for them, but also to decide on what they are willing to change in their farm management practices. The meetings’ facilitators have been previously trained by FAO, including also master trainers, who can pass on their knowledge to future facilitators, ensuring the sustainability and continuity of the intervention, independent of FAO’s technical support.
Building on the already established structures, the new FAO project intends to involve more communities and farmer groups in the three municipalities, as well to reach out to new municipalities. The goal is to help more livestock farmers to address their biggest challenges and assist them to take control of their livelihoods and their futures. Given the geographical and linguistic similarities shared by the peoples of the Western Balkans region, the achievements of the Farmer Field School project in Montenegro can be easily transferred to other nearby countries in the future.
More on this topic
Global Farmer Field School Platform
FAO eLearning course: Introduction to the Farmer Field School Approach
FAO Country Profile: Montenegro
FAO wraps up African swine fever preparedness project in the Balkans
Keeping Montenegro’s flavours alive
Western Balkan countries join forces on the road to climate action
Montenegrin meat producers slicing into wider market
Balkan bytes: How digital agri-entrepreneurship is changing a country
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Story
09 November 2023
Hope in time of uncertainty: Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75
As the world commemorates United Nations Day 2023, I like to remind ourselves why the United Nations was founded in 1945. In the aftermath of World War II, the peoples of the United Nations expressed determination, “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind“.
Crossroad
Today - 78 years later - we are once more at a crossroad.
We gather here together at a time of ever-growing uncertainty, globally and in our wider region. Already in January 2023, the world saw the highest number of violent conflicts since 1945, with one quarter of humanity estimated to live in places affected by conflicts.
Our wider region is seeing immense and unrelenting suffering. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and recent conflict in Israel and Gaza, have resulted in serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, as the UN Secretary-General and other UN Bodies have systematically raised. The lack of compliance with international humanitarian law is now a systemic problem, despite the fact that these rules are almost 160 years old. They should since long have become deeply entrenched in all our legal systems and practices, but the fact is, they are not.
In addition to the loss of many innocent lives in Ukraine, Israel and most recently in Gaza, and the killing in Gaza of 89 of our UN colleagues - more than in any comparable period in the history of our organization, millions of people are on the move or displaced because of conflicts worldwide. People are also displaced for other reasons, like economic hardship, droughts, floods, environmental hazards as we face the existential threat of climate change and its consequences.
Complex challenges – global solutions
Our history is joint and highly complex. So are the challenges in today’s interconnected world. If not resolved in a swift and just manner, with no accountability, especially for the most heinous crimes, these can easily lead to wide-spread dissatisfaction, opposition, and a vicious cycle of violence.
Eventually, the violence will end – but how many lives will be lost, how many people forcibly displaced, how many children deprived of their childhood, how much life-long trauma will be inflicted, before we say enough is enough, and stop to blame the other only, and stop seeing the challenges we are a jointly facing today from one’s own perspective only. Before we start recognizing humanity, not only in ourselves and those we connect with, but also in the other, to truly see humanity in all, as the key for our common future. To do that, we must learn the lessons from the past, lessons that the people of the Western Balkans know all too well, that there are no winners in wars.
Global challenges need global solutions. The United Nations remains the sole global organization with a role to play, with its strengths and despite our weaknesses, as it is able to bring together 193 Member States for dialogue on peace and security, development, and human rights, the three pillars of our joint organization. As Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on UN Day this year ‘The United Nations is a reflection of the world as it is’, a world that is divided. But, as he said, the United Nations is ‘an aspiration of the world we know it can be’, and that ‘we can and must be United Nations’. But let us also remember what former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld said in 1954 that “the UN was not created to take mankind to heaven, but to save humanity from hell."
Human rights for dignity, freedom, and justice for all
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an important tool in our quest to address today’s multiple challenges. This year, we commemorate the declaration’s 75th anniversary. In spite of the increasing attacks on human rights we have witnessed over the past years, the Universal Declaration may be one of our best hopes, to guide us as we seek to address root causes and prevent these challenges from turning into something worse, like conflict and war. Heeding the declaration and its thirty articles will help us to build societies which are inclusive, where all people - without discrimination - have access to equal opportunities to develop their full potential, and where children, youth, women and men, can participate, and make their voices heard - even if such voices are critical. Societies in which everyone respects the other, no matter their differences. Where education and health care is accessible and available to all, without distinction, and with the quality the people deserve. Where work is decent, and where there is social protection for those in need, so that everyone can live a life in dignity. And when violations of rights occur, impartial and independent institutions swiftly and impartially restore justice, treating everyone equally before the law.
Montenegro made a comprehensive pledge in September at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) summit. With all SDGs firmly anchored in human rights, Montenegro will better fulfil the promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it implements its SDG pledge. I take this opportunity to encourage Montenegro and all other UN Member States represented here today, to make specific human rights pledges. You will be able to showcase your pledges at a high-level event on 11 and 12 December, hosted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, to commemorate Human Rights 75.
Let me close by paying tribute to my UN colleagues in Montenegro, without whose dedication we would not be able to perform our role, and by affirming the UN’s commitment to support Montenegro and all UN Member States on their path towards stronger realization of human rights, peace and security and development of all.
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08 November 2023
Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Heart of UN Day 2023
Podgorica, 8 November 2023
The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the central theme of the United Nations Day ceremony co-hosted by the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Montenegro Peter Lundberg.
The President of Montenegro said that human rights are the basis of every inclusive, just and democratic society. He stated that Montenegro has made significant progress in promoting human rights, but that it still faces challenges in the areas of discrimination, violence and inequality. He particularly highlighted the rights and position of children in Montenegro.
“On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I want to draw attention to families that do not have equal opportunities, where children are exposed to poverty, violence and do not have access to education. Official statistics say that almost every third child in Montenegro lives in poverty, and that number is even higher in multi-member families and in certain regions of our country. My message is clear: it is necessary to provide equal opportunities to every child so that none of them live in poverty," President Milatović said.
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," says the first of the 30 articles of the Declaration which prescribe the various rights of every human being, universal, inalienable and based on dignity.
The resident coordinator of the UN in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, said that "in spite of the increasing attacks on human rights we have witnessed over the past years, the Universal Declaration may be one of our best hopes, to guide us as we seek to address root causes and prevent these challenges from turning into something worse, like conflict and war".
“Heeding the declaration and its thirty articles will help us to build societies which are inclusive, where all people - without discrimination - have access to equal opportunities to develop their full potential, and where children, youth, women and men, can participate, and make their voices heard - even if such voices are critical.“ – said Lundberg and encouraged Montenegro to make specific human rights pledges at the high-level event on 11 and 12 December, hosted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, to commemorate Human Rights 75.
In 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with which the member states defined the general view of the rights guaranteed to all people of the world. The Declaration is not a legally binding act, but its articles have been incorporated into the constitutions and laws of United Nations member states through numerous international instruments and conventions.
United Nations Day is celebrated around the world in memory of 24 October 1945, when the United Nations Charter came into force. Ratification of that document marked official establishment of the United Nations whose main goals are preserving the peace and security, supporting development and social progress, and protection of human rights. The United Nations was founded by the leaders of 51 countries, and today the world organization has 193 member countries. Montenegro became a member of the United Nations in June 2006, as the 192nd member of the organization.
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16 October 2023
Celebrating World Food Day in Montenegro: A call for urgent action on water. Leave No One Behind
16 October 2023
World Food Day is one of the most celebrated UN days of the UN calendar, with observances held in over 150 countries worldwide. World Food Day takes place annually on 16 October and promotes awareness of hunger and action for the future of food, people, and the planet.
This year’s World Food Day has the theme “Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind.” It celebrates one of the planet’s most precious resources: water, and its central role in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Water is essential to life on Earth, and it provides the foundation of our food. It covers the majority of the Earth's surface, makes up over 50 percent of our bodies, supports livelihoods, and produces our food. Indeed, agriculture accounts for 72 percent of global freshwater withdrawals. But like all natural resources, fresh water is not infinite. We all need to stop taking water for granted and start improving the way we use it in our daily lives: the food we eat, and how that food is produced.
In Montenegro, water is the country’s greatest natural renewable resource with a very high potential for economic development.National marine resources include 293 km of coastline along the Adriatic Sea and a maritime zone extending up to 12 nautical miles offshore. [1] Montenegro is in the top four percent of the world's area with the highest average flow, including high-quality and abundant surface and underground water.[2] About half the country belongs to the Danube catchment and the other half to the Adriatic catchment. Despite that 95 percent of Montenegrin watercourses are formed within the country[3], and its apparent strength and resiliency of the water systems, the country is facing a ‘resource paradox’ that rarely happens in the world: rainfall is high—in some areas even record-breaking— but there is no surface runoff, because the water comes from precipitation, such as rain or melting snow, that is immediately lost to underground streams and usually can no longer be captured for use.
The Government of Montenegro recognizes and prioritizes the importance of integrated water resources management for agrifood and aquatic food systems. This emphasis is reflected in the key strategic documents, namely the national Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Areas for 2023–2028 and the national Strategy for Development of Maritime Economy 2020–2030. Under the new FAO Country Programming Framework 2023–2027 for Montenegro, several interventions supporting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture will be implemented with a particular focus on promoting a Blue Transformation plan in Montenegro. FAO’s Blue Transformation Roadmap recognizes the importance of aquatic food systems as drivers of employment, economic growth, social development and environmental recovery, which all underpin the SDGs.
FAO encourages all international and national partners and development actors to come together for joint water action to improve the way we use water resources in our daily lives.
What can governments do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
Prioritize water in policies and planning;
Understand water challenges;
Build national water roadmaps and strategies;
Invest in capacity development and innovative solutions;
Manage water resources in an integrated way that takes into account all uses from fisheries to forestry, agriculture and other sectors;
Engage in the Global Dialogue on Water Tenure to shape principles for responsible governance of water resources.
What can researchers, civil society and private sector actors do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
Foster innovation and support initiatives to produce goods with less water;
Inform water and agriculture policies and advise decision-making processes, advocating for change, accountability and inclusion;
Share knowledge, data and skills;
Understand where water comes from and where it goes;
Cut down pollution in businesses.
What can farmers do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
Use and dispose of pesticides and fertilizers correctly;
Manage water more efficiently, starting with regularly checking and repairing leaks or overflows and insulate the pipes for energy savings;
Adopt sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices to improve efficiency;
Share water-gathering duties equally between men and women, boys and girls, so all have time for other activities, including school.
What can all of us do to manage water sustainably for the future of food?
Choose fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables – they usually take less water to produce;
Reduce your food waste. It means less water goes to waste;
Save water. This includes using less energy, since much of it is generated using water;
Shop sustainably;
Don’t pollute water, and take part in clean ups if you can.
"Integrated and sustainable water resources management can become the direct accelerator of at least three out of five pillars of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, namely Pillar 2 on Circular Economy, Pillar 3 on Depollution: Air, Water and Soil, and Pillar 4 and Sustainable Food Systems and Rural Areas, with the links to the remaining two pillars on Decarbonization and Climate Resilience, and Biodiversity: Protection and Restoration of Ecosystems. This year’s World Food Day campaign looks at practical and actionable solutions to produce more food and other essential agricultural commodities with less inputs, especially less water,” said Nabil Gangi, Officer-in-Charge for the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia on the occasion of the World Food Day.
On World Food Day, reflect on the importance of water to our lives and what can be done to improve access to and management of water resources.
[1] UNEP.2014. Montenegro and Marine Protected Areas: Legal and Institutional framework assessment for conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity and the establishment of MPAs. RAC/SPA and IUCN-Med. Ed. RAC/SPA - MedMPAnet Project, Tunis. 72 pp. (https://www.iucn.org/sites/default/files/content/documents/2016/en_rac_spa_adriatic_mne_2016.pdf)
[2] MAFWM.2023. Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2028. (https://wapi.gov.me/download-preview/1e9c16c3-8814-49ab-ba89-de4f60f796af?version=1.0)
[3] Montenegro Third National Communication on Climate Change (2020). https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/SubmissionsStaging/NationalReports/Documents/8596012_Montenegro-NC3-1-TNC%20-%20MNE.pdf
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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.
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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.
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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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