Corporate Thematic AreasUNDP in MontenegroUN in Montenegro
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UNDP in MontenegroPodgorica, 25 November 2011 Montenegro gets a Protocol on procedures in domestic violence cases
Podgorica, 25 November 2011 First Legal Aid Office in Montenegro: Equal access to justice for all
The Legal Aid Office in the Basic Court in Podgorica will become fully operational as of January 2012. In the scope of the project, two more pilot offices in Pljevlja and Rožaje were equipped, while additional two offices in Nikšić and Kotor will be funded through One UN facility since Montenegro is ‘Delivering as One’ self-starter country. The Right to Legal Aid brochure (in Montenegrin)/Brošura: Pravo na besplatnu pravnu pomoć
Podgorica, 23 November 2011 UNDP supports community based social services in Montenegro
Podgorica, 11 November 2011 Advancing human resource capacities of municipalities to better deliver services to citizens
“Functional review of the human resource function and management capacities in Montenegrin municipal administrations” – will be available soon “Analiza funkcija i kapaciteta upravljanja ljudskim resursima u crnogorskim opštinskim upravama“– biće dostupna uskoro
2 November 2011 UNDP’s Global Human Development Report 2011: Montenegro ranks 54th among 187 countries in "human development"
UNDP’s Human Development Index (HDI) supposes that well-being depends on more than money, so it measures health and education alongside income. The aim of development is not economic growth for its own sake but rather creating an enabling environment for people to enjoy long, healthy, and creative lives. Although Croatia's performance is strong on two indicators (gross national income per head and life expectancy at birth), its position overall is weakened by attainments in education, including a mean of just 9.8 years of schooling for adults over 25.
Podgorica, 24 October, 2011 UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro presented credentials to President Vujanović
For Mr. Vrbensky's first official address in Montenegro please go to the country's One UN website: http://www.un.org.me/index.php?page=un-resident-coordinator
Podgorica, 21 October 2011 Together on the same task: Committed to strengthening the financial control mechanisms in Montenegro
Ms. Annie Demirjian, Team Leader on Democratic Governance from the UNDP Regional office in Bratislava: How it should be: Civil society and Government partner on financial accountability
Podgorica, 20 October 2011 Montenegro getting ready for Rio+20: Bringing together three pillars of sustainable development
For more information about the Montenegro Report for Rio+20 please go to http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&type=510&nr=364&menu=20
Bečići, 17 – 20 October 2011 Fifth annual review of the programme for national response to HIV and timely diagnosing and treatment of AIDS in Montenegro: Significant progress achieved, additional efforts pending
These programmes have received the best mark (A1) from the donor, and as such have been recommended as a good practice example when compared to the regional practice. The programme of the national response to HIV and timely diagnosing and treatment of AIDS in Montenegro is designed as multi-sectoral response involving various Ministries such as those of health, education, internal and foreign affairs etc. and is financially supported by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). In the Round 5 funding cycle GFATM provided grant in amount of 2.4 million Euro for programme “Support to implementation of the HIV/AIDS Strategy in Montenegro”; 1.3 million Euro for programme “Establishing and pursuing a high quality of Tuberculosis Control Programme in Montenegro” in Round 6; and in Round 9 grant in amount of 4.8 million Euro for programme “Scale up of the HIV response among most at risk populations in Montenegro”.
Podgorica, 27 September 2011 Striking findings of the “Gender and Sport” study: Women comprise only 10% of sportspeople in Montenegro
New York, 19 September 2011 Women's Political Participation – Making Gender Equality in Politics a Reality
World’s most powerful women call for stronger political role for females The webcast archive of the event is available and is definitely worth a watch!!!
Podgorica, 16 September 2011 IPA Gender Programme welcomes the adoption of mandatory quota for women on electoral lists
The introduction of quotas is a good entry point which creates an opportunity for women to make a greater contribution to and influence more strongly political decision making. However, it is necessary that political parties invest additioanl efforts so that women have a true chance to participate in the work of Montenegrin and local parliaments.
Herceg Novi, 14–16 September 2011 Determining Directions in Development:
UNDP in Montenegro this week organized the first in a series of three workshops for drafting strategic plans for Žabljak and Kolašin. The production of these documents stems from the obligations stipulated by the Law on Regional Development. The training was delivered by UNDP consultants who will cooperate with municipal officials in the upcoming workshops, as well as through the practical work in the municipalities.
New York, 14 September 2011 New guide to help developing countries speed up access to climate finance
Kolašin, 22 – 24 August 2011 Preparing for the worst: flood risk assessments carried out in 12 high-risk municipalities
New York, 22 August 2011 Equator Prize opens worldwide call for sustainable development award nominations
The Equator Initiative will award its biennial prize for local solutions in sustainable development at next year’s UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20). Nominations are open from 146 countries through October 31, 2011. Eligibility has been expanded to include all countries receiving support from UNDP, making this a truly global award for local best practice. Equator Prize 2012 Call for Nominations
Žabljak, 27-28 July 2011 New initiative from Montenegro: Unleashing the economic potential for sustainable development of the Dinaric Arc eco-region
The first regional consultative meeting on ‘Via Dinarica’ was held in the pictoresque mountain town of Žabljak in Montenegro. The main goal was to create a basis for establishing of this corridor that should become one of the world's top destinations. Watch video about the Via Dinarica initiative
Cetinje, 15 July 2011 The Montenegrin Old Royal Capital of Cetinje will get a new, beautiful and energy efficient face
This project, which the Old Royal Capital of Montenegro will realize in cooperation with the UNDP Montenegro, will contribute greatly to the economic revitalization of this city, but will also make a significant step for the entry of Cetinje on UNESCO list. This was the conclusion of the conference „Beautiful Cetinje“. The main purpose of this project is the reconstruction of the cultural and historic heritage and implementation of energy efficiency, providing of professional training and support to entrepreneurship and small businesses.
Podgorica, 12 July 2011 IPA Gender Programme: The Counselling board for economic empowerment established and its first conclusion made
The Counselling Board appeals to the Ministries to find a possibility to get the programs for the implementation of the Activity plans for achieving gender equality developed as soon as possible, and to plan the needed funds accordingly.
Podgorica, 11 July 2011 IPA Gender Programme Montenegro: The Council for political participation established and its first decision made
Participants in the first session of the Council for political participation within the Gender Equality Programme, agreed that the Law on election of counsellors and members of parliament has to contain an affirmative action for the less represented sex, in order for Montenegro to get closer to the best practices of the European Union countries, as well as to fulfil the standards accepted through ratification of the United Nations Conventions. Berane – Kolašin – Podgorica, 6 – 11 July 2011 Fourth Montenegrin Summer School for Young Diplomats “Gavro Vuković“
More information about the School and video statements in English and in Montenegrin…
Podgorica, 27 June 2011 Ten women MPs and 242 representatives of the academia calling for obligatory gender quotas in the new election law
Podgorica, 24 June 2011 Secretary General’s message on 5th anniversary of Montenegro’s membership in the UN
To read more, please go to the UN in Montenegro website
Podgorica, 23 June 2011 New initiative from Montenegro for development of tourism in the Dinaric Arc region: Unleashing the economic potential of ecosystems to catalyze sustainable development of rural mountain communities in Dinaric Arc eco-region
Podgorica, 9 June 2011 Strengthening mechanisms for public finance to reduce regional disparities in Montenegro
The project was initiated by UNDP, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Union of Municipalities. In order to reflect the actual needs as realistically as possible, the project was developed on the basis of concrete suggestions that all municipalities submitted in response to a specifically tailored questionnaire. More…
Žabljak, 9 June 2011 The new face of Žabljak as seen through the lens of architecture students
Budva, 8-9 June 2011 The right to a fair trial: Improving reporting on criminal proceedings in Montenegro
Guide for Journalists through Criminal Proceedings (Vodič za novinare kroz krivični postupak): http://www.cedem.me/fajlovi/attach_fajlovi/pdf/vodic_za_novinare-2011-3-30.pdf
New York, 2 June 2011 UNDP empowers low-income countries to find way through climate finance maze
The guidebook draws on UNDP’s experience managing one-thousand multimillion dollar climate projects in 140 countries during the last two decades. It contains a step-by-step guidance for identification and implementation of an optimal mix of public policies and funding instruments to raise climate finance.
Podgorica, 27 May 2011 National weapons registration and record-keeping system established in Montenegro
Danilovgrad, 20 May 2011 New achievement of the MONDEM programme for safer Montenegro
Podgorica, 20 May 2011 Public officials have limited knowledge about Law on gender Equality, shows survey
The study, which was conducted in the second half of last year, was carried out with a sample of 252 respondents from Parliament, Government, the Secretariat for legislation, administration, departments, boards, committees, the Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Employers, the Olympic Committee, the Radio and Television of Montenegro and parliamentary political parties. The results were presented by the Committee for Gender Equality of the Parliament of Montenegro, together with the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the UNDP Montenegro.
Cetinje, 5 - 6 May 2011 The 12th Cetinje Parliamentary Forum: “Parliamentary oversight of defence and security sector in the region”
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - 29 April, 2011 UNDP going green in Europe and CIS
Podgorica, 19 April, 2011 „The Virus”, a sweeping story about stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV
The play is a story of a young, successful and popular rock star that gets infected with HIV. Through his girlfriend’s and family’s reactions related to his “tragic guilt”, the play realistically depicts a drama caused by ignorance about the infection and panic fear from it. In this way, all the parties involved become victims and executors at the same time.
Budva, 18-20 April 2011 Establishing National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Montenegro: investment in preventing and mitigating disasters saves both lives and money
Dubrovnik, 16-17 April 2011 Montenegro and Croatia continue cooperation under the IPA umbrella
Given the growth, in recent years, of the outdoor tourism market in Montenegro, this focus on ensuring safety and security is of the utmost importance. ITLS courses give participants the knowledge and hands-on skills to take better care of trauma patients, stressing rapid assessment and examination of the injured, identification of immediate life threats and appropriate intervention to prevent the consequences of trauma. Since its foundation, over 500,000 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals have undergone ITLS training, which is dynamic and practical and delivered in the same way all around the world: it lasts 2 days, consists of lectures and exercises, and ends in practical and written assessment of knowledge. Upon the course completion, trainees are issued international certificates valid for 3 years. When on the world I ope’d my eyes I saw our mountains high, Armenia, 12 – 17 April 2011 Visit of UNDP Montenegro to UNDP Armenia: Knowledge is power when shared
In order to exchange experiences, share best practices and identify potential points of collaboration, a small group from UNDP Montenegro travelled to Armenia in April 2011 to meet their counterparts. The trip turned out to be an outstanding mission, and guests were absolutely impressed by the UNDP Country Office Armenia – in terms of professionalism, high morale, hospitality and wonderful human spirit.
Podgorica, 5 April 2011 The Law on Legal Aid adopted: UNDP assisted Montenegro in achieving equal access to courts for all citizens
Podgorica, 25 March 2011 Study on Competitiveness of Montenegrin Economy: Improving competitiveness of economy means improving the quality of life of citizens
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia – 22 March, 2011 World water day: Water supply and sanitation in Europe and Central Asia
The internationally recognized right to water guarantees that all people have access to safe potable water at an affordable price, regardless of their age, sex, race, gender, or ethnicity. Many countries lack enforcement mechanisms to realize the right, and have insufficient monitoring bodies to ensure the equitable implementation of water policies and provide redress for violations. To read more, please go to the UNDP Europe and CIS website
Podgorica, 10 March 2011 The “Integrity Assessment of the Health System in Montenegro” research to help in stamping out corruption
The research reveals that informal payments and gifts are common – 55.7% out of 3.000 respondents stated that they made informal payments or gave gifts, which makes around 8% of the gross average salary (or 12,5% of the net average salary) in 2010 in Montenegro. These payments were made in addition to regular contributions amounting to 8.5% of the gross average salary, which each employed Montenegrin citizen is already paying to the health care system. Among health care workers, 49% confirmed that they received informal payments from their patients. In the majority of cases, patients or their family members who gave gifts/money were hospitalized to give birth (36,8%) or to undergo a surgery (31,7%). In particular, payments and gifts are frequently made to doctors who treat the patient (26%), surgeons (24%) nurses (21%) and midwives (21%) and in 1% to anesthesiologists.
Dubrovnik, 4 March 2011 Cross-border cooperation for better tourism
The €387,250 EU-funded action called Business Cooperation and Skills Improvement for the Development of Outdoor Tourism will be implemented by the Centre for Sustainable Tourism Initiatives in cooperation with UNDP Montenegro, the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service and the NGO ‘The Sun’ from Split.
For more information please visit the website of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro
Bratislava, 2 March 2011 Including all women
All across Europe, Roma women are among the most disadvantaged populations. On average, a Roma woman in Slovakia is estimated to die 17 years earlier than a non Roma woman, Roma girls are twice as likely to get married and have children before their 20th birthday than non Roma girls, and Roma women are less likely to complete their education. They are less likely to learn to read, and more likely to be unemployed than non-Roma women and Roma men.
Podgorica, 28 February 2011 The Third Public Hearing on the Strategic Coherence Framework: Implementing structures are a precondition for the EU funds
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, with the support of the Capacity Development Programme (CDP) and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro organized the third public hearing on the Strategic Coherence Framework and Operational Programmes for the III and IV IPA components with the national priorities, as well as the priorities of the European Union. This public hearing was organized within the project “Strengthening Capacities for IPA Programming and Implementation in Montenegro”, funded by the EU and implemented by the CDP.
Podgorica, 22 February 2011 Making a difference in Montenegrin society through a new project for enhancing social inclusion: Social inclusion is not just a couple of words, it means putting human beings at the centre of all policies
Podgorica, 19 February 2011 School as a place to motivate students for a responsible attitude towards their health: UNDP helps to promote healthy lifestyles
Mojkovac, 31 January 2011 Cleaning up toxic past, Montenegro town pioneers a green economy
For more information please go to the UNDP Europe & CIS website
Tivat, 20 January 2011 Collaborating on the development of Adventure Tourism in Montenegro and Croatia
“UNDP will support the project through work on achieving two concrete results: 1) upgrading the safety standards in tourism by strengthening the capacities of Mountain Rescue Services of Montenegro and Croatia to use GIS technologies in rescue missions, and establishing the standard operating procedures for cooperation between the two Mountain Rescue Services in the cross-border area, as well as providing support in knowledge and experience exchange between the two organizations; 2) diversifying tourism offer through certifying expert guides for kayaking, caving, hiking and biking,“ said Ms. Milica Begović Radojević, Economy and Environment Cluster Leader at UNDP Montenegro.
Podgorica, 14 January 2011 Fascination with New Legislation
First, they prepared a conceptual framework, i.e. policy paper (a concept introduced from the English language and difficult to explain and translate in most Slavic languages*), which was then followed by a comprehensive public discussion along with an announcement that they would start drafting the legislation only after having consulted with all interested stakeholders. This approach is quite new even for the countries with far greater democratic experience and tradition and thus it has been already announced that it will be used as an example of good practice in the region.
Podgorica, 23 December 2010 GIS gains importance for environmental management as Montenegro progresses toward the EU
UNDP will continue providing support to Montenegrin governmental and non-governmental institutions in using GIS as an essential tool for a more effective management of natural resources and more informed decision making through focus on protected areas, sustainable tourism and spatial planning.
Podgorica, 21 December 2010 Latest results of the integrity and capacity assessment of the public administration in Montenegro
The survey was conducted by the IPSOS Puls agency of Zagreb for the needs of The Directorate for Anti-Corruption Initiative under the Government of Montenegro (DACI) and the UNDP Montenegro, with a purpose to gather data that serve as basic indicators for future planning of strategic responses in the field of anti-corruption policy and public administration reform. „Integrity and capacity assessment of the public administration in Montenegro“
Budva, 13-14 December 2010
The Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment and the UNDP Montenegro organized a two-day seminar on the topic “Practical Experiences in the Implementation of the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction”, with an aim to improve the Law through recommendations for amendments, as well as to exchange experiences and to discuss the key issues related to the implementation of this Law. Amendments to the Law aim at improving procedures defined by the Law itself, including reducing time and procedures for obtaining a build permit, as well as other permits. This will result in eliminating business barriers and creating conditions for better results in domains of spatial planning and supervision. Participants in this seminar were representatives of the Ministry for Spatial Planning and Environment, other ministries, UNDP, directorates and agencies, representatives of Montenegrin municipalities and Secretariats for spatial planning and environment protection in the local self-governments, Union of Municipalities, donor organizations, Chamber of Commerce, Union of Employers, Montenegro Business Alliance (planners, designers and contractors), Chamber of Engineers, Association of Foreign Investors, as well as representatives of other relevant institutions and interested organizations participating in the process of spatial planning and construction.
13 December 2010 Development and Transition
To read the full article, please click here.
Budva, 9 December 2010 Nineteen Institutions, Companies and NGOs from Montenegro Join the UN Global Compact
Zagreb, 8 December 2010 Regional Reports Launched at e-Leadership Regional e-Accessibility Workshop
Budva, 1 December 2010 Improving the efficiency of the Justice System – Regional Ministerial Meeting on Mediation in Montenegro
The initiative was organized jointly with UNDP, UNICEF, and the International Finance Corporation, This was the first time ministers of justice and justice professionals from all across the region sat together to discuss mediation.. Ministers of justice and high officials from the Ministries of Justice of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and the FYR Macedonia agreed that the promotion of mediation should be encouraged in all countries of the region, as it is one of the most efficient forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Podgorica, 29 November 2010 Ministry of Interior and Public Administration of Montenegro, UNDP and OSCE signed Memorandum of Understanding on Control and Reduction of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)
Kolašin, 24-26 November 2010 National Policy Dialogue on Disaster Risk Reduction in Montenegro
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This year's “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” campaign started in Montenegro by signing the Protocol on cooperation in the cases of domestic violence. The Protocol is designed to systemize the joint work of all relevant entities in the implementation of laws and conventions, as well as obligations when it comes to the necessary measures to ensure organizing, equipping and educating of specialized professionals who deal with domestic violence.
“Opening of the first Legal Aid Office in the Basic Court of the capital of Podgorica is an important project in the overall judiciary system, because it provides equal access to justice for all, regardless of their financial or social status,” said Mr. Duško Marković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice in the Government of Montenegro. The first Legal Aid Office was opened by the Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, with the support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro and the Governments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Norway. 
“Social exclusion has become a visible phenomenon in Montenegro, despite the significant allocations for social transfers and subsidies. Negative impacts of economic and financial crises caused increase of the poverty level from 4, 9% in 2008 to 6, 8% in 2009, while in 2010, 14.29% of GDP was allocated for social welfare. But, it is also a time of great opportunity,” said Rastislav Vrbensky, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro at the presentation of supported community based social services. A round table with an aim to present supported community based social services in three pilot municipalities - Nikšić, Bar and Bijelo Polje, within the framework of the IPA 2010 Project: “Reform of the Social Welfare and Child Care System – Enhancing Social Inclusion in Montenegro” was organized by the UNDP in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
“Human resources development is a key factor for economic growth and knowledge generation, and it represents indeed a crucially important development agenda,” said Ms. Lovita Ramguttee, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to Montenegro at the presentation of the “Functional review of the human resource function and management capacities in Montenegrin municipal administrations”. “We hope that this Review will contribute to keeping municipal officials and national stakeholders abreast of the main findings in this regard, with key recommendations for improving their respective performance, ultimately leading to better delivery of services to the citizens,” she added.
Montenegro ranks 54th of 187 countries and is placed in the High Human Development category, according to the 
On the United Nations Day, President of Montenegro Mr. Filip Vujanovi ć received UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro Mr. Rastislav Vrbensky. He handed a letter to the President of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on his appointment.
“It is indeed an important topic for Montenegro – internal financial control in public administration and their practical applications are a critical precondition for the integration of candidate countries into the EU,“ said Ms. Lovita Ramgutee, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to Montenegro at the conference “Financial control mechanisms in Montenegro – Together on the same task” organized by the 
“The effectiveness of preparations for the upcoming Rio+20 summit depends first and foremost on the national and regional preparations that will feed into the global process,” said Mr. Rastislav Vrbensky, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro at the Conference of social stakeholders on sustainable development organized by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the UNDP Montenegro, as part of the national preparations for the 
Further strengthening of multi-sectoral approach, building sustainable services with high quality personnel and investing special effort in the period to come in order to meet the targets set in the agreement with GFATM and successfully apply for the funds for the Phase II of the Round 9 Grant – those were the most important messages sent from the Fifth Annual Review Meeting that saw the participation of Montenegrin health sector representatives, UNDP, GFATM, media and NGO representatives. 
Women comprise only 10% of all individuals in sport at the national level, they hold only 8.8% of coaching positions, only 13.3% of national-level referees are women and there are no female sport delegates at all – these are striking data on overall gender inequality in sports revealed in the findings of the first-of-a-kind research about women’s participation in sports in Montenegro. The purpose of the study “Gender and Sport: Facilitators and Barriers to Participation”, presented by the Program “Game Set Peace”, Gender Equality Department of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and the UNDP, was to conduct the first evidence-based research assessing the current status in this area. 
At the 66th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, women political leaders made a strong call for increasing women’s political participation and decision-making across the world. Stressing that women’s participation is essential in all contexts — during peace, through conflict and post-conflict, and during political transitions — the leaders signed on to a 
The team of the Gender Programme IPA 2010 welcomes the adoption of the Law on Election of Chancellors and Members of Parliament which stipulates a mandatory quota of 30% for women on electoral lists.
TheUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched a guidebook aimed at helping decision makers in developing countries to better take advantage of the billions pledged to address climate change. 
The unprecedented flooding in 2010 in Montenegro highlighted the importance of coordinated action from national to local level in disaster risk reduction and preparedness, early warning and response. As part of the efforts to achieve this, the the Sector for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organized a three-day meeting aimed at finalizing local flood risk assessments in the 12 high-risk municipalities in Montenegro. The meeting was supported by the UNDP Global Risk Identification Programme (GRIP), through technical assistance in taking an active facilitation and participation role in the meeting.
A UNDP-led partnership that rewards communities around the world for their conservation and development solutions today launched a call for nominations for the Equator Prize 2012, to be submitted online at 
After a couple of challenging decades, the countries of the Dinaric Arc are focusing again on cooperation. In light of EU accession as a strategic goal for most of its countries, they will work together to make use of the great potential in the region’s ecosystems to promote the creation of a corridor for sustainable developement in the Dinaric Arc region ‘Via Dinarica’ – a corridor passing through beautiful scenery, traditional villages and a wealth of cultural heritage, with an aim to attract tourists and to create employment for local people. The ‘Via Dinarica’ initiative has an excellent chance to stimulate regional cooperation, to promote stability in the region and to secure local economic development through responsible planning and use of natural resources.
The project „Beautiful Cetinje“ will provide economic and cultural revitalization of the city, and the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje will move to return former glory. „It is about a set of measures that will contribute to Cetinje and the historical center of this beautiful city getting a new, fresh face, that Cetinje really should have,“ said President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović.
The Ministry for Human and Minority Rights of the Government of Montenegro, the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro, in the framework of the IPA Gender Programme, have constituted a counselling board that will support and assist the process of the Programme implementation in the domain of economic empowerment of women in Montenegro.
For the fourth year in a row, young diplomats from all over the world gathered in Montenegro in order to participate at the Montenegrin Summer School for Young Diplomats “Gavro Vuković“. Now rightly called a traditional event, the School this time brought together more than 50 diplomats from 35 countries of the world, as well as numerous prominent lecturers, among whom Jorge Sampaio, President of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and former president of Portugal; Mr. Hans Winkler, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna; Mr. Paul Meerts, Professor at the Clingendael – the Netherlands Institute of International Relations and many other ambassadors and diplomats. They discussed diplomacy as a factor of security, stability and development in a changing environment, exchanged opinions and shared experiences related to the current security, political and economic aspects of development in the region and the world.
All ten women members of the Parliament of Montenegro, together with 242 representatives of the three Montenegrin universities, publicly addressed the Speaker of the Parliament, members of the Committee for drafting the new election law, as well as the presidents of the Parliamentary Clubs, requesting the introduction of mandatory quotas for women (prescribing at least 30% of women representatives on electoral lists). With the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro, they are jointly advocating for the legislation improvement through introduction of gender-sensitive norms in the new election law.
I am pleased to congratulate Montenegro on five years of membership in the United Nations. As the organization’s most recently added member state, Montenegro has contributed to a wide range of United Nations activities, both through its membership of the General Assembly and through its efforts to promote peace, development and good neighbourly relations in southeastern Europe and the Balkans. In this regard, I thank you for chairing the South East European Cooperation Process this year, and for hosting the internationally recognized Regional Summer Diplomatic School of Gavro Vukovic.
“After a couple of challenging decades countries of the Dinaric Arc region are focusing again on regional cooperation,” said Mr. Alexander Avanessov, UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator to Montenegro at a media conference where the Ministry of Sustainable Development and the UNDP Montenegro announced a new joint initiative in the Dinaric Arc region in the domain of nature-based tourism. The initiative is based on the New Zealand experience. “Taking into account the growing popularity of adventure tourism, huge potential of this market and role of tourism as one of the major driving forces of the Montenegrin economy, and in line with the political commitment of representatives of governments from the Dinaric Arc states to cross-border collaboration, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro supported the idea of joint efforts to create the Dinaric Arc up to ‘Via Dinarica’, to become one of world top long trails,” Mr. Avanessov explained. 
In the next two years UNDP will contribute to Montenegro’s efforts to strengthen public finance at the local level in terms of responsible management of municipal budgets, debts and assets. Funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands with about €800.000, this project should assist municipalities in achieving more professional, accountable, transparent and efficient public finance management so that they may better serve its citizens.
“Today we are talking about the results of a competition that inspired young architecture students from Montenegro and the region towards applying contemporary architectonic expression forms that respect the principles of sustainable construction, energy efficiency and economic feasibility of the design,” said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to Montenegro at the opening of the Exhibition of a competition held for students from the region, on urban-architectonic design for the development of the central zone in the Municipality of Žabljak. The competition was organized by the Municipality of Žabljak, the Faculty of Architecture of Podgorica and UNDP Montenegro, in the framework of the Spatial Planning Support Project financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
“Cooperation between the media and judiciary in Montenegro is good, but there is always room for improvement. A step towards its further strengthening is the organization of a two-day seminar titled ‘The right to a fair trial and the role of the media in the application of the European Convention on Human Rights and the new Criminal Procedure Code’,” said Ms. Branka Lakočević, Deputy Minister of Justice of Montenegro at the opening of a seminar that gathered some 35 representatives of the national print and electronic media, judiciary and other national institutions. Together with national and international experts in this field they discussed ways to advance their cooperation in the process of reporting on criminal cases that are prosecuted and adjudicated by the Montenegrin judicial bodies, especially when it comes to corruption and organized crime cases. The seminar was organized by the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM), with the support from the UNDP Montenegro, the Advice on Individual Rights in Europe (AIRE) Centre of London and the Judicial Training Centre of Montenegro.
TheUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched a guidebook on “Catalysing Climate Finance”, advising decision makers in developing countries how to tap into growing environmental finance markets. 
“Establishing the national system for registration and record-keeping of the weapons owned by citizens will contribute to the overall development of the country and its integration in the European Union,” said Mr. Ivan Brajović, Minister of the Interior of the Government of Montenegro at the official presentation of the system which was developed in line with the national and European laws in this field, in partnership between the Ministry of the Interior of the Government of Montenegro and the United Nations Development Programme.
In the framework of the Programme for Demilitarization in Montenegro (MONDEM), representatives of the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the UNDP Montenegro officially opened the reconstructed “Taraš” ammunition storage site in Danilovgrad, Montenegro. The aim of the €1.23 million infrastructure upgrade of this ammunition depot was to bring it in line with internationally accepted security standards. The project was financed by the Government of the Netherlands (€700,000), the Government of Montenegro (€200,000), the European Union (€200,000 – through the SEESAC) and the OSCE (€130,000). “The capital project of the reconstruction of ‘Taraš’ that was finalized in less than one year, provided Montenegro with a very important storage site that ensures increased safety for the citizens who live in its proximity,” said Mr. Boro Vučinić, Minister of Defence of Montenegro. 
In a survey on knowledge and application of the Law on gender Equality, senior officials, managers and employees in 61 institutions were asked to list three documents governing gender equality and institutions that adopted them. Almost half were unable to name any act or document governing the realization of gender equality in Montenegro. The findings show that the majority of interviewees (73 percent) from institutions know that the government addressed the issue of gender equality in its normative activities. However, a significant number (46 percent) is not able to specify a single document in which the state regulates the issue of gender equality.
Over forty parliamentarians, government officials, and representatives of international organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia gathered at the 12th session of the Cetinje Parliamentary Forum dedicated to the exchange of experiences in the practice of parliamentary oversight of security and defence sector in the region. “The law on parliamentary oversight of defence and security sector was a result of the need and of the political will to put this sector under the parliamentary oversight, in a way that would guarantee legality in everyday work and respect for human rights and freedoms,” said the Chairman of the Forum Mr. Mevludin Nuhodžić, Head of the Montenegrin Committee for Defence and Security. The Forum was organized by the Parliament of Montenegro, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro and the South-Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC). 
From treeplanting, to rooftop solar panels, UNDP offices in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States are, like the 
Last night, KIC Budo Tomovic Podgorica hosted “The Virus”, a moving theater play about love, happiness, belonging and pain of rejection and discrimination. Moreover, this is a story about the problems faced by the people living with HIV and the ways the other people perceive them. The play was written by Sinisa Kovačević, directed by Dragan Knežević and performed by the
“Mindful of human and economic cost, investment in preventing and mitigating disasters saves both lives and money- the latter at some 1:7 ratio,” said Mr. Alexander Avanessov, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro at the opening of a three-day meeting: “National platform for disaster risk reduction in Montenegro”. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of the Interior of the Government of Montenegro, in cooperation with the United Nations System in Montenegro and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), as one of the activities within the Regional Project for Disaster Risk Reduction in South-East Europe. The Project is financed by the European Commission and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Within the 
Armenia is a landlocked mountainous country in the South Caucasus region, a former republic of the Soviet Union. Located more than 2,000 km away, in Southeastern Europe, Montenegro is also a mountainous country, a former republic of SFR Yugoslavia at the Adriatic Sea. Back in 1974, geographical remoteness was not an obstacle for these two countries to connect: Yerevan and Titograd (Podgorica’s communist-era name) were sister cities. People from the two countries became friends. Many children from Montenegro went to visit Armenia, especially after the devastating earthquake in Montenegro in 1979. And, even today three remarkable buildings in the new part of Podgorica are remembered as having been built by the “friends from Yerevan”.
The Parliament of Montenegro adopted the Law on Legal Aid, after a broad consultative process which was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Montenegro, through its project “Reform of the Legal Aid System in Montenegro – Creating an Effective and Sustainable System of Providing Legal Aid”. The Law stipulates that the inhabitants of lesser financial means are entitled to legal aid, hence helping to fulfil the constitutional determination of Montenegro that all inhabitants must be equal before the court, regardless of their special or personal characteristics.
Montenegro has made significant progress in increasing the competitiveness of its economy. Weaknesses remain, however, in the domains of obtaining building permits, tax collection, ownership registration, corruption control and government efficiency. In order for Montenegro to become more competitive, it is necessary to improve conditions for enterprises’ operations, but companies also need to expand their businesses beyond country borders. This was stated in the study “Competitiveness of Montenegrin Economy”, which was carried out by the Ministry of Finance and UNDP with the support of the Government of the Netherlands. The study is one of many activities under the Project “Strengthening capacities of the Ministry of Finance to efficiently plan, analyze and manage public finances in support of the country’s aspirations for sustainable development and EU integration”, within the Capacity Development Programme (CDP). The Study provides guidelines on how to develop a comprehensive and internationally comparable system of indicators for regular monitoring of the country’s international competitiveness.
Water and sanitation infrastructure in many countries in Europe and Central Asia are in a critical state and deteriorating, often posing a threat to human health. Yet, most countries have signed or ratified core UN human rights conventions, and many regional treaties recognize the right to water. Read: 
In order to assess the health system integrity and to analyse citizens’ satisfaction with the reform of the primary health care, the study “Integrity Assessment of the Health System in Montenegro” was conducted by the CEED Consulting of Podgorica for the needs of the Ministry of Health, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization in Montenegro. Special focus was dedicated to informal payments as a form of corruption in the health system. 
Montenegro and Croatia have a natural potential for developing tourism in hiking, biking, sea kayaking and caving. The two neighbouring countries will work together through an EU-funded cross border cooperation programme, to improve and promote their outdoor tourist attractions. The EU-funded cross border project, launched in Dubrovnik, will cover the area of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County in Croatia and the municipalities of Kotor, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Cetinje, Budva, Bar, Ulcinj and Podgorica in Montenegro.
On the 8th of March 2011 we celebrate 100 years of advocacy for women’s equal rights. And yet, much remains to be done to realize the full equal rights of women. This is especially true for women in minority groups. 
For further successful steps of Montenegro towards membership in the EU it is necessary to strengthen the institutional and administrative capacities, to enhance the process of harmonization of legislation with the EU acquis and to implement strategic development goals. Sustainable development in all three sectors which are in the focus of the Strategic Coherence Framework (SCF), including environment, transport and human resources development, is a basis for successful European future of Montenegro. 
“Important element in the overall human development progress and on the path towards the EU is the enhancement of social welfare reform in Montenegro aimed at achieving the highest quality of services for the Montenegrin population,” said Alexander Avanessov, UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator to Montenegro on the occasion of launching the project “Reform of the Social Welfare and Child Care System – Enhancing Social Inclusion in Montenegro”. The main goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of the most vulnerable groups of the Montenegrin population and to achieve their active participation in the society.
The interest of more than four thousand students in 176 elementary schools for the elective course on healthy lifestyle has made representatives of the Bureau for Education of Montenegro propose this course for high schools. This was already foreseen in the new National HIV/AIDS Strategy in Montenegro (2010-2014). “900 students in 39 classes have chosen this course in the 2008/2009 school year, while in 2010 the interest was much higher: 2400 students in 120 classes wanted to take this elective,” said Mr. Radoje Novović, Pedagogist at the Bureau for Education. 
After two decades in the toxic shadow of a closed lead and zinc mine, a small town in northern Montenegro is seeding a greener future as it cleans up an industrial dump and restores its pristine natural surroundings. Watch: 
The Centre for Sustainable Tourism of Montenegro (
A sixth consecutive discussion on the new concept of the Law on Civil Servants and Employees has been recently held in Montenegro. Local and foreign experts were working on this paper over the past nine months, and the approach they have taken to drafting the new law represents a big development for our circumstances. 
In the frameworks of UNDP’s project “Geographic Information System (GIS) for Environmental Protection”, fifty two employees of the Montenegrin sectors of environmental protection, hiking and biking clubs and local tourism organizations were ceremonially awarded certificates after a several months of training in the use of GIS as a tool to improve their daily work and efficiency. In the past five years over fifty Government agencies and NGOs were trained to use GIS, and fifty five other experts from the sectors of forestry, biology, meteorology, geology, seismology, mountain climbing, etc., have also 
“The results are encouraging as the majority of respondents considered that positive changes took place in the last three years, meaning reduction in the level of corruption and improvement in the quality of public administration services. We would also like to point out the fact that the respondents put corruption in fourth place among the negative phenomena in the work of state bodies, after complicated procedures and poor work organization,” said Ms. Vesna Ratković, Director of the Directorate for Anti-Corruption Initiative of the Government of Montenegro at the opening of a media conference on the occasion of presentation of the results of the survey „Integrity and capacity assessment of the public administration in Montenegro“. 
Practical Experiences in the Implementation of the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction in Montenegro
Development prospects in parts of the Western Balkans are afflicted by environmental ‘hot spots’ virtually all of which were inherited from the socialist regimes that collapsed in the early 1990s. Because these hot spots are typically associated with industrial activities that are mainstays of local economies, the challenges of remediating these threats go beyond environmental policy, raising critical regional economic development issues. And because the ecosystems threatened by the hot spots often have trans-border dimensions, remediation can raise delicate questions of inter-state cooperation. In some instances, prospects for accession to the European Union are associated with addressing these hot spot challenges.
“The response of the Government and Montenegrin companies to the floods throughout the country is the best indicator that society is now ready to adopt the global economy trend of Corporate Social Responsibility,” – Vujica Lazović, Vice President of the Government of Montenegro said at the media conference on the occasion of launching the United Nations Global Compact in Montenegro. The conference was organized by the Union of Employers of Montenegro and UNDP Montenegro, in cooperation with the Directorate for Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Centre for Development of Non-governmental Organizations. The Global initiative was started by the United Nations as a political platform and a strategic framework for companies dedicated to the principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Global Compact means aligning business operations with ten universally accepted principles related to human rights, labour, environmental protection and the fight against corruption. Participants at the conference were eminent experts in the domains related to the Global Compact principles, as well as representatives of national institutions, non-governmental organizations and international organizations. 
At the e-South East Europe (SEE) Initiative meeting within e-Leadership Regional e-Accessibility workshop held in Zagreb two significant publications were presented: “e-Governance and ICT Usage Report for SEE – 2nd Edition” and “Going the Extra Mile for the Digital Agenda e-Leadership Efforts in SEE”. Its authors focused their attention on analyses of present situation in the countries of the region, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Rumania, Serbia and FRY Macedonia. 
The right to a fair trial is one of the cornerstones of any justice system, and indeed, of any democracy. The resolution of disputes by alternative means is a key element of this, and as such, the Ministry of Justice of Montenegro organized a Regional Ministerial Meeting titled “Strengthening Efficiency of Judiciary through the Promotion of Mediation“. 
There are 105 000 registered small arms and light weapons in Montenegro – this means that every sixth citizen owns a registered weapon, while many more possess illegal weapons. This widespread existence of weapons leads to citizen insecurity, and, in the longer term, threatens the development of the country. The Ministry of Interior and Public Administration, OSCE Mission to Montenegro and UNDP Montenegro signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), agreeing to upgrade capacities for regulating small arms and light weapons, and reducing the number. The intention is to reduce armed violence, and increase the security of Montenegrin citizens. 
“Establishing National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and strengthening government and society capacities especially at the local level are main priorities in the domain of Disaster Risk Reduction” it was concluded at the National Policy Dialogue on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), a three-day event organized by the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Public Administration of Montenegro and UNDP Montenegro. The aim of this dialogue was finalizing the National Needs Assessment on DRR that will serve as a basis for defining future activities within the Regional Programme on DRR in South-East Europe, as well as for the resource mobilization in the next period of time. This Regional Programme on DRR, worth 2 million euro is funded by the European Union and jointly implemented by the UNDP and the World Meteorological Organization. Participants in the dialogue were 45 representatives from 11 Montenegrin ministries and relevant institutions, as well as from 11 international organizations.