Bringing Montenegro closer to achieving the SDGs
* This Resident Coordinator performed functions in Montenegro from 2021-2023.
Since his appointment in January 2021, the UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Peter Lundberg, has convened the UN country team together to intensify collaboration across UN entities and partners to advance Montenegro’s implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Thanks to enhanced coordination capacities and support, the UN Resident Coordinator has been able to uplift the role of UN as the convenor of critical stakeholders – donors, international financial institutions and civil society – to work together in the areas of sustainable development and help Montenegro progress towards the SDGs. In particular, the Resident Coordinator is working with the Government together with International Financial Institutions and the existing presence of the European Union in the country to jointly mobilize action for transformation in support of Montenegro’s efforts as a front-runner to join the European Union.
• Under his leadership, the new five-year UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) was developed and endorsed together with the Government. This joint vision for the advancement of the 2030 Agenda focuses on inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability; human capital development, reducing vulnerability, and social inclusion; and social cohesion, people-centered governance, rule of law and human rights.
• To ensure quality funding in support of these priorities, the Resident Coordinator initiated the establishment of the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund. By pooling, consolidating and directing donor funding towards the Cooperation Framework, the Fund provides catalytic and strategic support to the country’s acceleration of the 2030 Agenda.
• The Resident Coordinator also leads the UN country team in tackling violence against women, gender equality, and inclusion and empowerment of the most vulnerable. Ensuring an organizational culture of zero tolerance for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and establishment of safe and trusted reporting mechanisms is high on his agenda.
• Guided by the Gender and Human Rights Working Group, the Resident Coordinator is also tackling the growing issue of hate speech in Montenegro. A Hate Speech Action Plan is being developed along with the Hate Speech Toolkit. Addressing hate speech has also been introduced as one of key communications and advocacy priorities of the UN country team.
Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, the UN in Montenegro has supported the Government to conduct its second Voluntary National Review, assessing national progress towards the SDGs and presented during the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York in 2022.
In addition, as a result of well-coordinated UN efforts, the National Council for Sustainable Development has been renewed. In advising the Government on key sectoral policies, the Council is opening the space for collective influence on national strategies for the advancement of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
The Resident Coordinator has also played a critical role in leading the UN county team’s response to recent crisis. Over the past two years, Mr. Lundberg has led the team in adapting its strategy, and redirecting UN funds and capacities, to support the national response to COVID-19 and the socioeconomic recovery. When the war in Ukraine broke out, agencies across the UN country team quickly came together to support national authorities in receiving a large numbers Ukrainian refugees – almost 2% of Montenegro’s population.
Watch the video below from the Resident Coordinator to learn more about results in Montenegro.
