U-Report Launch

It was wonderful to hear the voices of Montenegro’s youth as they will be the generation to bear the fruits of the Sustainable Development Agenda.

I want to call your attention to the global demographic data. Today's generation of young people is absolutely massive: some 1.8 billion people are between ages 10 and 24. However, often times they are excluded by decision makers, which is detrimental of youth themselves and the future generations.

Sustainable Development Goals represent the first agenda which relied on a bottom-up approach. The process was participatory: young people provided their inputs through My World global survey and national consultations. In the case of our country, 2 per cent of the population took part in the Montenegro I want consultations. Given the manner in which the Agenda 2030 was conceived, it is our responsibility to allow participation in its implementation as well.  

The Goals are integrated, indivisible, global in nature and universally applicable, and therefore all of them apply to youth. The pledge to leave no one behind underscores that. Youth employment, adolescent girls, education and sports for peace relate specifically to youth.

It is encouraging to witness the birth of another digital solution towards public participation. Through U-report, Montenegro will be able to gather valuable information on an array of issues, whereas Montenegrin youth will have a user-friendly way to engage. I see immense potential in digital tools and e-processes, where the UN System together with national partners already achieved impressive results. For example,

• portal Without Barriers served as a platform for citizens’ reporting the obstacles in doing business in Montenegro.
• platform e-Regulations Montenegro presented the procedures for registering property, paying taxes, business registration and other in a user-centered manner so to ease understanding of administrative procedures in the country
• service Be responsible still lives as an example of citizens’ engagement in tackling irregularities in the country.

The unprecedented number of adolescents living today – particularly in countries most in need of development – means that this generation will largely drive the outcomes of all the Sustainable Development Goals. They will also be the ones who have to live with the results. Investing in their participation, education, health and in initiatives and partnerships led by youth, will be critical to achieving every one of these goals.

Hvala vam.