Leaving no one behind in the process of EU integration

I am very pleased to be here, on behalf of the UN in Montenegro, to lend support to this initiative of the Western Balkans Ministers’ to improve social policy in the region.

The focus on social policy is very relevant to all countries in the region commitments to Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, agreed by the 193 member states in September 2016, as well as their responsibility as state parties to international human rights treaties.   The bold vision set out in the Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises that social goals such as ending poverty, gender equality and reducing inequalities are as essential to the concept of Sustainable Development as economic and environmental objectives. 

Social Inclusion is often described through the principle – Leaving no one behind. This idea, and that of ‘inclusive’ growth - is important today, in the era of the 4th industrial revolution, more than ever.  Growing uncertainty about the future of work and demographic changes place even more importance on development of human capital fit for the challenges of the 21st century.

In Montenegro, social inclusion is one of the four strategic areas where the UN family helps the country advance on its European path and address needs of the people. In this strategic area of cooperation, Government of Montenegro and the UN system join forces to ensure the population has improved access to quality, equitable, inclusive and mutually reinforcing systems of health, education, protection and decent work.

Some of the key joint interventions in this area include

• Supporting the collection poverty data collection and analysis,
• work on prevention of drop out from schools, de-institutionalisation and parental support programmes,
• helping adolescents develop socio-emotional skills and develop digital tools to boost their participation in decision making
• tailoring services for elderly, supporting services for families,
• developing information systems in health and social welfare, and finally
• ensuring durable housing solutions for refugees from ex-Yugoslavia,

No doubt, Montenegro has made tremendous progress on many of these fronts. However, the country continues to face complex challenges stemming from poverty, social exclusion, unequal treatment and access for all to the basic social, health, educational and employment services.  Addressing these challenges in order to realise more evenly distributed growth is only possible through strategic, long-term planning. And with limited resources the design smart and progressive policies, such as those that will be discussed today, will enhance efforts.

Dear Friends, the Declaration on improving social policy in the Western Balkans offers us the way forward. I am deeply confident that, if we all join forces – the Declaration will come to reality.

Let me assure you that the UN system in Montenegro remains a reliable and committed partner on that path.

Thank you.