Joint Country Steering Committee 2022

Dear Minister, Dear Excellencies, Dear UN colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Let me start by welcoming all of you on this important occasion!

Today, the UN and the Government of Montenegro are presenting the new joint Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (Cooperation Framework) for the period 2023-2027.

This document represents the cornerstone of our development cooperation for the next 5 years. It builds upon the successful cooperation with the Government within the current Integrated UN Programme for Montenegro - that has started in 2016 and which has been extended for one year – until the end of 2022. The new Cooperation Framework addresses the key development issues, which have been identified through an in-depth analysis of the country context.

Besides analytical work, the process of the development of our new Cooperation Framework included broad consultations with civil society organizations, development partners and stakeholders, as well as with youth and women. Finally, the UN and the Government held technical consultations which culminated in the Strategic Prioritization Retreat, where the key priorities of the new programme were jointly agreed.

Our new Cooperation framework will focus on three strategic priority areas that respond to Montenegro’s development and human rights priorities:

• Inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability;
• Human capital development, reducing vulnerability and social inclusion;
• Social cohesion, people-centred governance, rule of law and human rights;

By working jointly in these three areas, the UN and the Government aim to achieve an overall vision of a Montenegro with reduced multidimensional and income poverty. A Montenegro where there is accelerated progress towards a sustainable, resource–efficient and innovation–based economy. Where the environment is healthier and where there is increased respect for human rights, social justice and inclusion of the most vulnerable.

New Cooperation framework is anchored in Montenegro’s national and international priorities such as Agenda 2030, the National Strategy for Sustainable Development and Accession to the European Union. I would like to highlight the strong correlation between Agenda 2030 and the EU accession process. If Montenegro achieves all EU accession benchmarks, Montenegro will also reach almost 70% of the targets of Agenda 2030.

By harnessing these synergies, in particular in three Chapters of the EU Acquis – 27 (on environment and climate change), 23 (on judiciary and fundamental rights) and 19 (on social policy and employment), we believe, our new joint programme will allow Montenegro to set its final steps towards full EU membership.

Cooperation Framework for 2023-2027 will be operationalized through the work of 18 UN agencies which will fully align their work towards overall goals and priorities of the new Cooperation Framework. As an example, two agencies – UNICEF and UNDP have developed their new 5-year Country Programme Documents that will also be presented today. These are fully aligned with the Cooperation framework and will substantially contribute to the achievement of its strategic priorities.

Along with our joint work on the new Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the UN and the Government have also joined forces to establish the Montenegro Acceleration Fund – this will be a local pooled fund that will facilitate mobilizing additional financial resources to support Montenegro in accelerating  progress on the three priority areas of the joint programme and in achieving targets of Agenda 2030.

Moreover, this fund will serve as a platform where the Government, the UN and donors will have strategic discussions about targeted interventions where more holistic approach is needed to address complex development challenges.

Both the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and the Montenegro Acceleration Fund were presented last week in New York during the High-Level Political Forum, to a wide audience – the UN Secretariat, Member states, Development partners and members of the Montenegro diaspora. Interest of many bilateral partners – potential donors, was raised.

We believe that we can succeed if we undertake these endeavours with all of you representing UN member states and development organizations. Together we can support Montenegro in achieving the goals of Agenda 2030, as well as the last mile of its EU accession path – with a renewed sense of urgency considering regional and global developments.

I would like to thank the Government for adopting our Sustainable Development Cooperation framework in its session on 8 July. This reflects strong ownership and represents a sincere national commitment towards Agenda 2030.

Finally, I would like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which has coordinated Government line ministries in the development of our joint programme together with UN.

I am sincerely looking forward to continuation of our successful cooperation!