Podgorica, 24. jun 2026.Twenty years ago, Montenegro's flag was raised for the first time outside United Nations Headquarters in New York, marking the country's return to the global stage as an independent and equal member of the international community. Two decades later, that partnership is measured by far more than membership in an international organization. It is reflected in stronger institutions, reforms that have improved people's lives, and joint efforts to advance sustainable development.This shared journey was at the heart of a ceremony jointly hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro and the United Nations in Montenegro to mark the 20th anniversary of Montenegro's membership in the United Nations. "Twenty years ago, when Montenegro's flag was raised on the East River, a partnership began that continues to this day. But these two decades are not only about policies, reforms or institutions. They are about people – their ambitions, opportunities, expanded rights, improved quality of life and hope for the future," said Caroline Tissot, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro.Since Montenegro joined the United Nations in 2006, the country and the UN have worked together across nearly every major area of development. Their partnership has supported reforms in education, health and social protection, public administration and digital transformation, environmental protection, gender equality, democratic governance and the rule of law, while providing continuous support to Montenegro's European Union accession process. Today, the impact of that cooperation can be seen in the everyday lives of citizens – from a modernized social protection system that processes hundreds of thousands of monthly payments, to a dramatic increase in preschool enrolment, stronger climate policies, improved media and information literacy, expanded digital public services, and reforms bringing Montenegro closer to European standards.Reflecting on Montenegro's journey over the past two decades, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ervin Ibrahimović described the country's admission to the United Nations as its "return to the global stage." "It was the moment that formally affirmed Montenegro's international recognition as an independent, sovereign State and an equal member of the international community. Today, Montenegro is not only a beneficiary of international support, but also a strong advocate of multilateralism and a reliable partner in addressing global challenges," Minister Ibrahimović said.In a video message, Rosemary DiCarlo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, highlighted Montenegro's commitment to multilateralism at a time of growing global divisions."Montenegro's commitment to multilateralism, dialogue and the principles of the United Nations Charter is more important than ever," she said DiCarlo.United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk echoed this message, emphasizing that human rights, the rule of law and inclusive institutions are the foundation of every democratic and sustainable society, while encouraging Montenegro to continue advancing reforms and its European integration agenda. Looking ahead, Caroline Tissot noted that the world is undergoing profound change, making a strong and effective multilateral system more important than ever. At the same time, Montenegro is entering the final phase of its European integration journey, opening a new chapter in its partnership with the United Nations."We are jointly preparing a new Cooperation Framework for 2028–2030, aligned with the 2030 Agenda and Montenegro's national priorities. This is an opportunity to focus our support where it can make the greatest difference in people's lives and help Montenegro successfully complete its European integration process," Tissot said. The anniversary was not only an opportunity to celebrate an important milestone, but also to reaffirm a shared conviction: today's most pressing challenges – from climate change and inequality to peace and human rights – can only be addressed through cooperation.Twenty years after joining the United Nations, Montenegro continues to build a partnership founded on shared values and shared responsibility. A partnership that has shaped the country's development over the past two decades – and one that will remain just as important in the years ahead.

Podgorica, Montenegro, 20-22 June 2026UNHCR’s Representation for Central and South-East Europe (RCSEE) marked World Refugee Day 2026 in Montenegro through a series of activities in Podgorica, bringing together the diplomatic community, students, institutions and partners around one shared message: Until Everyone Is Safe.At the centre of this year’s commemoration was a briefing for the diplomatic community at the UN Eco Building, co-hosted by the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Caroline Tissot, and UNHCR’s Representative for Central and South-East Europe, Nicole Epting.Participants discussed how global displacement trends are reflected in the Western Balkans, before turning to Montenegro’s key protection priorities. The event was held in a year of particular significance: 2026 marks 75 years of UNHCR’s work in support of refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons and all those forced to flee, grounded in the principles of the 1951 Refugee Convention. Opening the briefing, Caroline Tissot underlined that World Refugee Day is not only a moment to recognize the courage and resilience of people forced to flee, but also a reminder of shared responsibility.“World Refugee Day reminds us that protecting people forced to flee is a shared responsibility. It also reaffirms a principle at the heart of the United Nations: that no one should be left behind,” said Caroline Tissot, UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro. She also stressed that refugee protection is closely linked to sustainable development and Montenegro’s wider reform path. Refugees, asylum-seekers and other displaced people must be included in education, healthcare, decent work and opportunities to contribute to society if the Sustainable Development Goals are to be achieved.Presenting global protection trends, Nicole Epting recalled that forced displacement remains extraordinarily high. At the end of 2025, 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, including 41.6 million refugees and almost 9 million asylum-seekers awaiting decisions on their claims. She noted that the first decline in global forced displacement in a decade gives cautious reason for hope, but not complacency: many returns took place in fragile conditions, seven in ten refugees remain in protracted displacement, and most continue to be hosted by low- and middle-income countries. Against this backdrop, she underlined that protection needs remain acute and that solutions must be pursued with renewed determination.“Seventy-five years after UNHCR was established, the need for refugee protection remains as urgent as ever. The global figures remind us that protection cannot stop at safety from immediate danger. It must also mean access to rights, inclusion, self-reliance and real opportunities for people forced to flee to rebuild their lives in dignity,” said Nicole Epting, UNHCR Representative for Central and South-East Europe.Participants also had the opportunity to learn how global displacement trends are linked to the Western Balkans, a region that continues to be affected by major crises, including Ukraine and Sudan, and continues to serve as an important mixed-movement route towards Western Europe. For UNHCR, the trends underline the need to view movements along the route not only through a migration-management lens, but also through a protection lens.The discussion then turned to Montenegro’s protection priorities, including the asylum system, refugees from Ukraine under temporary protection, statelessness, access to rights, and reforms linked to Montenegro’s EU accession process.World Refugee Day activities also took place at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro, where UNHCR marked the successful completion of the 20th annual Legal Clinic on Refugee Law and awarded certificates to this year’s students. UNHCR has cooperated with the Faculty of Law since 2007 through annual legal clinics on refugee law and statelessness. This year 90 students successfully completed the course, which included theoretical lectures, field visits and moot court sessions based on hypothetical refugee status determination cases, giving students the opportunity to step into the roles of legal professionals working on asylum claims.Addressing the students, Nicole Epting stressed that refugee law is not only a technical field, but also a human one.““You have learned why it matters that a person fleeing persecution or war can seek safety; that children can obtain documents; that families can access rights; and that the promises written in law are respected in practice,” said Nicole Epting, UNHCR Representative for Central and South-East Europe.  She encouraged students to carry the lessons of the Legal Clinic into their future careers, reminding them that “the strength of a legal system is often measured by how it treats those who are most vulnerable, least visible, and most in need of its protection.”As part of World Refugee Day commemorations, the Millennium Bridge in Podgorica was illuminated in blue on 20 and 21 June, in cooperation with the Capital City of Podgorica. The illumination sent a visible message of solidarity from the heart of the capital city to people forced to flee war, violence and persecution. UNHCR and partners also shared World Refugee Day messages through media interviews. Together, the activities in Montenegro reflected the core message of World Refugee Day 2026: protection must remain non-negotiable, inclusion must be made practical, and solutions must be pursued with determination.Until everyone is safe.
   

 Podgorica, 18 June 2026 Countering hate speech requires more than condemning harmful words. It demands a collective commitment to dialogue, inclusion and respect for human rights. On the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro and the United Nations Country Team in Montenegro call on all sectors of society to join this effort.At a time when digital platforms enable information to spread faster than ever, hate speech poses a serious challenge to social cohesion. Its impact extends far beyond the online sphere, undermining trust, weakening interpersonal relationships and eroding people's sense of belonging. Combined with disinformation, hate speech deepens social divisions, fuels discrimination and makes it more difficult to build inclusive and resilient societies."Countering hate speech is not about restricting freedom of expression. It is about protecting everyone's right to live free from discrimination, intimidation and violence. That is why institutions, media, the education system, civil society and every individual share the responsibility to promote a culture of dialogue, critical thinking and mutual respect. Only through collective action can we build a society where diversity is recognised as a strength rather than a source of division," said Tamara Vujović, Minister of Culture and Media of Montenegro.A key step in this effort is the establishment of the National Network Against Hate Speech and Disinformation, led by the Government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Culture and Media with the support of UNESCO. The Network is being developed under the social cohesion programme jointly implemented by UNESCO, UNICEF and UNDP, with financial support from the UN Peacebuilding Fund.Bringing together public institutions, media, academia, civil society organizations and international partners, the Network provides a platform for coordinated action to prevent and counter harmful narratives, promote responsible communication, and strengthen media and information literacy."We cannot respond to hate speech only after the harm has already been done. What is needed is a long-term, whole-of-society approach that connects education, media, culture, institutions and local communities. It is encouraging to see Montenegro building exactly this kind of collaborative model through the National Network Against Hate Speech and Disinformation, because inclusive and resilient societies are created when each of us takes responsibility for the public space we share," said Caroline Tissot, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Montenegro.The International Day for Countering Hate Speech is also an opportunity to recall that, as UNESCO consistently emphasizes, hate speech cannot be addressed solely through content moderation, removal of harmful content or regulatory measures. Long-term resilience depends on education, critical thinking and media and information literacy, enabling people to recognize manipulation, engage responsibly in public discourse and contribute to safeguarding the integrity of information in the digital space.The Ministry of Culture and Media and the United Nations Country Team in Montenegro call on institutions, media, civil society, academia and all citizens to help create a public space where diverse opinions can be expressed with mutual respect, and where human dignity remains a value that is consistently protected.

When Andrija was younger, he learned that standing out could make him a target.His love for rock music often earned him labels he never chose. People assumed he was troublesome, aggressive or involved in things he had nothing to do with. His peer Leo faced prejudice based on his ethnicity. Both teenagers grew up in Podgorica believing that exclusion and hate speech were simply part of everyday life.Today, they see things differently.After participating in a youth workshop on social cohesion and countering discrimination and hate speech, organized by UNICEF and Juventas in Podgorica last year, they gained something they had never had before – the confidence to challenge prejudice. Today, Andrija says he is more confident to recognize prejudice, respond to it and speak with his peers about why words matter."I've experienced hate speech myself many times, but before this workshop I never really thought about where prejudice and stereotypes come from," says Andrija. "Now I understand them much better, and I feel more confident challenging them." Their experience reflects a wider challenge facing societies around the world. Hate speech has become increasingly common, particularly online, where anonymity and algorithms can amplify division, discrimination and hostility. While words may seem harmless to some, their impact can erode trust, deepen polarization and, in extreme cases, fuel violence.In Montenegro, this challenge continues to influence public spaces and people lives. A nationally representative survey commissioned by UNICEF found that 93 per cent of respondents perceived hate speech around them, while 81 per cent said they could recognize it. Recent UNDP’s monitoring of online media portals and social media platforms in Montenegro also identified hundreds of thousands of comments containing hateful elements, highlighting the scale of the problem in digital spaces.Hate speech negates and threatens diversity and inclusion, undermines social cohesion and can lay the foundation for violence.Yet across the country, communities, schools and institutions are showing that hate speech is not inevitable.Through the joint United Nations programme Together for the Common Good – Enhancing Citizens' Trust in Institutions and Building Resilient Communities, financed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and jointly implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO, citizens are working together to strengthen social cohesion, promote dialogue and build resilience against divisive narratives.For Laura, medical student who participated in UNICEF-supported peer educator training, the programme was transformative. "Before this workshop, I wasn't always sure where free expression ended and hate speech began," says Laura. "Now I understand that difference much better.”Andrija and Laura are among many young people in Montenegro learning how to recognize stereotypes, understand the difference between free expression and hate speech and speak about discrimination with greater confidence. She is one of more than 120 young peer educators trained to recognize and counter hate speech while promoting dialogue among 400 of their peers.With local authorities in Bar, Bijelo Polje, Pljevlja, Podgorica and Ulcinj, UNDP brought together children, young people, citizens, local authorities and civil society organizations to discuss how to address hate speech and strengthen trust in institutions. An innovative model for enhancing participatory process on the local level created safe, inclusive spaces for citizens to discuss shared challenges. For some participants, these conversations have been deeply personal."For the first time, I felt a genuine connection with a group of people united not by background, but by shared human values – empathy, understanding and mutual respect," recalled one participant of the Local Dialogue. Citizens consistently pointed to challenges related to polarization, hate speech, discrimination, and peer violence. More than 450 participants have formulated over 200 recommendations for strengthening social cohesion and addressing divisions in their communities. Their recommendations were formalized into Local Social Cohesion Pledges adopted by local parliaments, institutionalizing regular dialogue, establishing social cohesion councils, introducing a Day of the Common Good and committing to measures that respond directly to citizens’ recommendations voiced through the dialogues. A national dialogue and National Social Cohesion Pledge further elevated citizen voices to national institutions and policies. On the field, UNDP, through The Innovation Lab, supported 21 citizen-led initiatives tackling challenges such as cyberbullying, hate speech and social exclusion, reaching more than 2,000 beneficiaries. One example is a youth-led initiative from Bar focused on addressing online hate speech and digital violence. Developed following the UNDP Dialogues and Innovation Lab, the initiative combines workshops, peer discussions, and “Human Library” sessions to help young people better understand the consequences of harmful online behaviour. An innovative eDiary tool also provides a safe and anonymous space for sharing experiences and seeking support, contributing to a more respectful and inclusive digital environment in Montenegro.The programme has also helped schools become places where children and adolescents learn to address differences through dialogue rather than conflict. UNICEF-supported socio-emotional skills such as empathy, tolerance, teamwork are integrated into educational curricula and taught to 46.000 children and adolescents across Montenegro, laying the foundation of lasting values that safeguard human rights, dignity and cohesion and mediation programmes now operate in six schools, promoting peaceful conflict resolution and respectful communication among students.  With support from UNESCO, the Ministries of Education and Culture and the National Museum of Montenegro implemented the country’s first Arts Education Programme in nine municipalities, engaging children and young people with Montenegrin cultural heritage to strengthen intercultural understanding and dialogue. The programme involved more than 220 students and 30 mentors, with the support of schools, cultural institutions and local communities across the country. Through its partnership with RTCG, the initiative also reached broader audiences, helping raise awareness of the role of culture, dialogue and youth engagement in strengthening social cohesion. Participatory workshops with youth through NGO Prazan prostor created safe spaces to explore identity, belonging and exclusion – fostering empathy and critical thinking, encouraging young people to reflect on stereotypes and discrimination while fostering empathy, dialogue and critical thinking.  Academia-based dialogue platforms brought together students, academics and decision-makers to address social cohesion, discrimination and trust in institutions, strengthening a culture of democratic participation. The dialogues also provided space for open conversations on polarization, prejudice and the impact of harmful narratives on social cohesion, encouraging collaborative approaches to addressing these challenges.UNESCO also strengthened media and information literacy (MIL) through accredited training for teachers and librarians from elementary and high schools across five project municipalities, equipping educators to help students critically assess information, recognize misinformation and engage responsibly in digital spaces – building resilience against disinformation, harmful narratives and online polarization.UNESCO also supported solutions journalism training for young journalists and journalism students, encouraging reporting that moves beyond divisions toward evidence-based responses and examples of positive change – promoting responsible narratives that strengthen trust and social cohesion."Journalistic pieces tend to center around issues, crime news, and the darker aspects of society. However, constructive journalism and solutions journalism bring a sense of hope for a better tomorrow and the improvement of society." – Nataša Stanković, journalism student and participant in the UNESCO-supported workshop on solutions journalism.To further strengthen institutional responses, UNESCO is supporting the government to establish a Network against Disinformation and Hate Speech – a multi-stakeholder platform bringing together institutions, media, academia and civil society to coordinate responses, share knowledge and build societal resilience against disinformation and hate speech.  UNDP, meanwhile, has supported Ombudsman’s Office to use of artificial intelligence to monitor online hate speech and generate evidence-based recommendations for prevention and response. More than 2 million comments in digital space have been analyzed in the period from July to December 2025, with more than 750,000 of them containing elements of hate speech of various intensity.“Hate speech continues to be present in Montenegro to a worrying extent and has a negative impact on social cohesion. Any failure by institutions to respond serves to normalize unacceptable narratives and further undermines public trust in institutions. The digital environment further amplifies the spread of intolerance, while the absence of an institutional response sends a message that such patterns of behaviour are socially acceptable. Young people are particularly affected, as they are growing up in an environment where hate speech and social divisions are increasingly normalized,” said Siniša Bjeković, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro.On this International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the message of the three agencies, UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO is clear: words can divide, but they can also connect. Hate speech is discriminatory and an attack on the dignity of its victims. It undermines social cohesion, weakens trust and erodes the foundations of inclusive and democratic societies. Countering it requires not only individual responsibility and community engagement but also sustained institutional commitment. Public institutions, media, educational systems and community leaders all have a critical role to play in preventing hate speech, responding to it effectively, and promoting a culture of respect, inclusion and accountability.Through education, dialogue and collective action, communities across Montenegro are demonstrating that empathy is stronger than hatred and that social cohesion begins with the simple act of recognizing each person's dignity and value. At the same time, lasting progress depends on institutions that are willing and able to act decisively against discrimination and harmful narratives, protect human rights, and create spaces where diversity is respected and every voice can be heard.