New York: Address by H.E. Mr. Milo Đukanović, Prime Minister of Montenegro at the UN Summit on Climate Change

Address by H.E. Mr. Milo Đukanović, Prime Minister of Montenegro
at the UN Summit on Climate Change
New York, 22 September 2009


Dear friends,

Addressing the effects of climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing mankind. Having in mind that the commitment to build a model enabling the development of Montenegro as an ecological state is enshrined in our Constitution, addressing the challenges of climate change and preserving biological diversity are our priority areas.

Devising a model for evaluating and projecting the impacts of climate change on the environment, the health of the population, and on the overall economic development, particularly sectors of crucial importance to the national economy, is one of the most complex issues that our scientific and technical institutions, as well as decision-makers at all levels, have to tackle. In confronting the above-mentioned risks, we are determined to apply the instruments and mechanisms provided by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Through co-operation with the UN agencies, among which are UNDP, UNEP and UNIDO, and by strengthening cooperation with states that are parties to Annex I, mainly the Republic of Italy, Montenegro is developing legislative and institutional framework for the mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change and implementation of UNFCCC and related multilateral agreements. In this regard, particular attention is being paid to the integration of measures tackling climate change into comprehensive economic development strategies and action plans, as well as specific sectoral policies.

Evaluation of the inventory of greenhouse gases indicates a low level of emissions in Montenegro. Although Montenegro does not significantly contribute to the increase in greenhouse gas emission levels globally or regionally, it indisputably faces climate change effects, which know no borders and affect both developed and developing countries. We, therefore, strongly believe that specific situations of states should be taken into account, in accordance with the UNFCCC criteria and application of the approach of common, but differentiated responsibility.

Given that the EU integration is a key foreign policy priority for Montenegro, reform of the overall institutional and legislative framework in this context pays particular attention to the harmonization of the national response with EU policies that are related to the post-2012 architecture. In this regard, Montenegro joins in the EU endeavour with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, while taking into account the continuous developments in international agreements. As a developing country and a potential EU candidate country, we will seek to actively contribute to this end through adaptation and mitigation measures based on a Programme of Measures for Mitigating Climate Change, currently being developed, as well as the National Programme on Climate Change, which is awaiting adoption.

We are fully convinced that putting in place efficient mechanisms of regional co-operation could significantly improve the position of the South-Eastern Europe and its individual states in terms of access to technical and financial resources instrumental in building up national capacities for the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures. At Montenegro's initiative, Regional Forum on Climate Change, which will be hosted by Montenegro, has been set up as a platform for conducting political and policy dialogue on climate change.

Taking into consideration that challenges of climate change cannot be successfully addressed without the involvement of all states and stakeholders intent on contributing to the achievement of our common goal, Montenegro will be organising Regional Conference on Climate Change and Sustainable Development for the Mediterranean and Southeast European countries from 16th to 17th October. Through the exchange of knowledge and experience, the Conference will be an opportunity to contribute towards a successful outcome of the Copenhagen negotiation process. In addition, by presenting regional and national priorities, the Conference aims at encouraging partnership building necessary to strengthen technical and financial capacities of the region as a whole and its states individually in order to limit the temperature rise to below 2 °C.

We strongly believe that the mentioned Montenegrin and South-East European initiatives will be recognized as important contributions to the implementation of a global response through support for the co-operation and partnership with the UN agencies, as well as with relevant international financial organizations and private and business sectors.

Thank you.