Spajić - Lundberg: Continuation of cooperation between Montenegro and the UN on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda

Prime Minister Milojko Spajić met with the UN Resident Coordinator to Montenegro, Peter Lundberg.

Lundberg informed the Prime Minister that his mandate in the country would end on 15 December and that, until a new Resident Coordinator is appointed, Vladimir Gjorgijev, the Head of the IOM mission to Montenegro would be acting in his stead.

The UN Resident Coordinator highlighted the positive developments in the preparation of the Census, stressing that the steps taken contribute to strengthening social cohesion.

Lundberg introduced Prime Minister Spajić to the work of the United Nations in the country, which, in cooperation with the Government and other partners, is implemented by 18 UN agencies through the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027. It was assessed that the Montenegro SDG Acceleration Fund is a strong catalyst for the implementation of the strategic five-year development plan and an excellent basis for the continuation of good cooperation between the Government and the UN, given that the Fund has already enabled the establishment of new partnerships.

Lundberg expressed the hope that the private sector would join the Fund, as well as the Montenegrin diaspora, which could become a strong ally in the overall social development of the country, especially in the north.

They also talked about the numerous challenges that awaited the 44^th Government already at the beginning of the mandate, but also about ways to solve them.

There was the Census, as a topic that polarized our society. We are now dealing with a major threat that we could end up on the Moneyval’s "grey list". In a record short time, we are preparing two important pieces of legislation that are key to the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism. We are also running a strong campaign through diplomatic channels to postpone that decision for a year, because I am confident that there is a strong political will to fulfill all Manival's requirments. It is very important for us to reduce the fiscal and budget deficit next year, which would also improve the credit rating, stated Prime Minister Spajić.

The interlocutors expressed their full readiness to continue and further strengthen the cooperation between the Government and the United Nations country team in the upcoming period.