National Council for Sustainable Development holds session

Podgorica, Montenegro (15 June 2016) –National Council for Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Integrated Coastal Zone Management held a session today, chaired by the President of Montenegro Filip Vujanović.

The session participants discussed proposal of the National Sustainable Development Strategy by 2030, as the long-term development strategy prepared by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism in accordance with the conclusions of the previous National Council's session and the recommendations and opinions presented during the public hearing.

The National Council assessed that this document is fully compliant with the requirements of the United Nations and that according to the relevant international organisations is one of the best so far prepared strategic documents for sustainable development. Therefore the National Sustainable Development Strategy by 2030 will be presented in July at the Political Forum's session at a high level under the UN Economic and Social Council.

In light of the drafted National Strategy, it was deemed necessary that the National Council for Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Integrated Coastal Zone Management should be transformed into the State Council for Sustainable Development.

The National Council discussed the National Approximation Strategy in the field of environment and proposed to the Government of Montenegro to adopt it in order to start its implementation immediately.

The session participants discussed and supported the proposal for establishment of the Coordination Body for Integrated Coastal Zone Management, which will function as a permanent expert body of the National Council. They also noted the progress in the preparation of the Draft of the Special Purpose Spatial Plan for the coastal region of Montenegro.

Special attention was given to the effective organisation of the system of water management, the protection of this extraordinary natural resource of Montenegro and the creation of conditions for the implementation of comprehensive and continuous monitoring of water quality. It is especially accentuated the importance of establishing joint cross-border commission for the promotion of cooperation between Montenegro and Albania in terms of sustainable resource management in the area of the River Bojana and Skadar Lake.