UNECE Review highlights Montenegro’s environmental progress and key challenges

Podgorica, Montenegro - 6 October 2025

Over the past 10 years, Montenegro has made significant progress in environmental governance and sustainable development. However, further efforts are needed since limited human and financial resources and fragmented institutional responsibilities hinder effective environmental protection. These are some of the conclusions of the Fourth Environmental Performance Review (EPR) of Montenegro, published today by UNECE.  

“Montenegro has demonstrated its ambition to reconcile economic growth with environmental protection,” said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean. “The recommendations of this review provide a practical guide to help the country strengthen environmental governance, improve public health and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.” 

“The support of UNECE is of great importance to us, as this process provides not only an assessment of the current state but also concrete guidelines to help us improve environmental protection policies in line with international standards," declared Damjan Ćulafić, Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northen Region Development, of Montenegro.  

The recommendations outlined in this report require the engagement of all relevant environmental policy actors for their practical implementation. At the same time, we are aware that implementing these recommendations requires time, adequate administrative capacities, and significant financial resources,” said Minister Ćulafić. 

“Montenegro has made a bold and historic commitment to its people by enshrining in its Constitution the vision of becoming an ecological state. Now is the time to act decisively - to invest in nature, modernize governance, and embrace clean energy solutions that protect both people and the planet, for current and future generations,” said UN Resident Coordinator Caroline Tissot, stressing that partnership is the only way to advance on this journey.   

The Review notes that Montenegro has strengthened its environmental legal and regulatory framework and aligned much of its national legislation with European Union (EU) directives. Building on its constitutional status as an “Ecological State,” Montenegro has integrated 167 of the 169 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets into national policy and has demonstrated a clear commitment to biodiversity protection, pollution reduction and climate action. 

Click here for more details on the report