Keeping Sustainable Development high on the national agenda

Budva, 8 December 2022

Recognising the activities within the work programme and the expected role of the National Council in contributing to the achievement of the goals of sustainable development in Montenegro, members of the National Council proposed to once again consider upgrading the position and status of the Office for Sustainable Development to the secretariat of the National Council.

The session emphasised the role of educational institutions, through the synergy of formal and informal education. The involvement of young people was supported through their proactive role in all working advisory bodies of the Government. It was emphasised that financing for sustainable development and sustainable development at the local level should have more significant support, which is foreseen through the work of expert working groups and the Work Programme of the National Council.

According to the agenda, six expert working groups were formed at today's session, namely for monitoring the implementation of sustainable development policy, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, integral management of the coastal area of Montenegro, sustainable development at the local level, financing for sustainable development and just transition. The goal of this model of functioning of the National Council is to establish an open forum for professional supervision and guidance in the creation and implementation of development policies and projects based on the principles of sustainable development.

The mid-term work programme of the National Council, proposed at the session, defines a series of activities within the priority topics that will be dealt with in the coming period, which relate to accelerating the process of implementing the goals of sustainable development, just transition, climate change, financing of sustainable development, education and promotion of concept of sustainable development and strengthening partnerships, especially at the international level.

Furthermore, according to the work programme, the National Council will plan events, conferences, workshops, media and other activities, in order to make the public aware of key development challenges and to enable the wider community of experts, i.e. all relevant stakeholders, to proactively get involved in defining solutions to new developments and social challenges in the country.