Ćulafić in Sarajevo: Montenegro has chosen both the goal and the path

Montenegro has chosen a goal and a path, which are a better quality of life and full integration into the European Union (EU), said the Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development, Damjan Ćulafić.

According to the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development (MERS), he said this at the conference "Climate Change and Green Transition: Green Agenda for the Western Balkans", organized as part of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Ćulafić emphasized the importance of the Sarajevo Film Festival as a place for gathering and exchanging experiences, recalling that Montenegro also has its own significant film festival that has been promoting green quality policies for 11 years - the Green Montenegro International Film Festival (GMIFF).

"I am very honored to have the opportunity to speak at the Sarajevo Film Festival. Montenegro has its own significant festival, GMIFF, and I believe that culture, film and events like this can be a powerful space for opening up important topics, including the topic of climate change," said Ćulafić.

As he added, just as the region can be connected through culture, it can also be connected through joint green projects.

Speaking about the fires currently raging in Montenegro, Ćulafić said that they represent another concrete example of the consequences of climate change, but also pointed out that this year the state has shown a high level of readiness and preventive action in responding to the risk of fires.

"When we talk about climate change, we are aware that Montenegro's share in global emissions is very small. However, this does not absolve us of responsibility. On the contrary, we take very seriously the importance that our ecosystems can have in mitigating the negative consequences of climate change," said Ćulafić.

He recalled that Montenegro has previously made significant steps in establishing a legal and strategic framework for responding to climate change.

"By adopting the Climate Change Law, we have taken an important step, while the central strategic framework is the Low-Carbon Development Strategy of Montenegro, adopted in February this year, as a key document defining our country's path towards climate neutrality by 2050," said Ćulafić.

As he added, the National Energy and Climate Plan was adopted in December last year, while Montenegro is simultaneously aligning itself with the obligations arising from the EU acquis and the European Climate Law, which is confirmed by the adoption of the Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

"In July last year, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the period 2025–2035, with an Action Plan for the period 2025–2027," said Ćulafić.

All these activities, as he pointed out, show that they do not view climate policy as an obligation that needs to be formally fulfilled, but rather as a development policy.

Ćulafić emphasized the importance of preserving nature and ecosystems in the fight against climate change.

"State policies are important, but it is equally important to understand how much nature can contribute to our response to climate change. Man has a huge responsibility towards the ecosystem," said Ćulafić.

As he said, we must therefore simultaneously work on reducing emissions, but also on protecting nature, which is one of our most important allies.

Ćulafić also reminded that a month ago, Montenegro adopted the proposal for the Natura 2000 ecological network area, which, as he stated, covers about 44 percent of the country's territory.

"Montenegro has made an extremely important step forward with this. Slovenia has long been a leader with more than 30 percent of its territory covered by protection, and Montenegro has now, as a future member of the European Union, done more than a good job in this area," Ćulafić pointed out.

According to him, Montenegro still faces numerous challenges, from climate change, to waste and wastewater management, to the construction of necessary infrastructure.

"The next period of my mandate will be dedicated to infrastructure projects and the construction of systems that we need to turn European standards into everyday practice," said Ćulafić.

He recalled that Montenegro joined the EU LIFE program last year, which opened up additional opportunities for using European funds for projects in the field of environmental protection and climate change.

Ćulafić said that, unfortunately, Montenegro's previous experience shows how costly untimely action can be.

"Six years ago, closing Chapter 27 required around 1.4 billion euros, while today the estimates are almost four billion," said Ćulafić.

According to him, if there had been a higher level of responsibility and readiness, a higher level of awareness of responsibility towards future generations, Montenegro would have a much easier job today.

Ćulafić emphasized that Montenegro wants to share its European experience with its neighbors.

"On Bosnia and Herzegovina's European path, Montenegro stands as a friend and ally. We can help you a lot, especially considering that we are, I believe, the first upcoming EU member," said Ćulafić.

As he added, the experiences that Montenegro has gained on our path can be very useful for neighboring countries that are striving for the same goal.