The role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro is visible and valuable, especially in the modernization of governance and reforms leading to inclusive development, said Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović at a meeting with UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Shu.
As announced by the President's Office, Milatović and Shu discussed further deepening cooperation between UNDP and Montenegro in areas key to European integration - modernization of public administration and quality governance, strengthening institutional capacities and implementing inclusive reforms, in line with the 2030 Agenda and the five-year United Nations Cooperation Framework.
Milatović said that UNDP support is an important pillar in fulfilling obligations in the negotiation chapters.
He emphasized the value of the Fund for the Accelerated Development of Montenegro as an additional mechanism for mobilizing funds for sustainable development projects.
Milatović said that Montenegro is firmly committed to the goals of the United Nations and its principles.
"As a good neighbor and reliable partner, we direct every public policy towards the agenda of accession to the European Union," Milatović emphasized.
According to him, the role of UNDP in Montenegro is visible and valuable, especially in the modernization of governance and reforms leading to inclusive development.
"There are two big challenges: demography and spatial planning. We are losing people, and we are using space unsustainably. We need the Spatial Planning Institute as a professional advisory institution for spatial development and planning," said Milatović.
Xu said that Montenegro's progress in European integration drives sustainable development.
"UNDP is proud to support governance modernization, capacity building, and inclusive reforms aimed at all citizens, in line with the 2030 Agenda and EU priorities," said Xu.
The interlocutors, as announced, exchanged opinions on cooperation priorities in the coming period - from green transition and digitalization to policies in the fight against poverty.
The statement states that the meeting also highlighted Montenegro's candidacy for the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board for the period 2028–2030, as a confirmation of its commitment to strengthening its role in multilateral forums.
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