UNDP continues to support Government in implementing social protection policies and ongoing reforms

Prime Minister Dritan Abazović met today with UNDP Resident Representative for Montenegro Daniela Gašparíková. UNDP is a reliable and active partner of Montenegro in implementing priority development goals. The Government and UNDP continue to cooperate, especially in strengthening institutional capacity, reform processes and European integration. Their implementation will undoubtedly contribute to the fulfillment of Montenegro's obligations within the key negotiating chapters and sustainable development goals, it was stated at the meeting.

Prime Minister Abazović expressed satisfaction with the cooperation with UNDP, as well as the intensity and dynamics of joint activities, the degree of implementation of planned projects and strategically oriented programmes that fully follow the development needs of Montenegro in the context of EU integration and sustainable development goals.

Prime Minister Abazović thanked UNDP for its support to Montenegro during the Covid-19 pandemic, recalling that UNDP was a key facilitator in the procurement of personal and protective equipment for health workers, necessary medical supplies and materials for health facilities, and the search for digital solutions for accelerating existing ICT systems and introducing new technological models.

UNDP Resident Representative for Montenegro Daniela Gašparíková thanked Prime Minister Abazović and the newly elected Government for recognising the importance of the UNDP presence in the country.

The framework for the continuation of our strong partnership is the new programme cooperation framework between UNDP and Montenegro for the period 2023-2027, which is fully in line with the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the priorities of the process of Montenegro's accession to the European Union. Our common focus over the next five years will be on climate change, green, gender-responsive economic development, and the digital transformation of society and institutions. This is a good time to recover and strengthen the resilience of society, with the much-needed fulfillment of environmental standards, as well as the principles of transparent citizen-oriented institutions, said Gašparíková.

As she pointed out, the progress of the Montenegrin society is possible only if no one is neglected in that process. Therefore, UNDP will continue to support the Government in the implementation of social protection policies and reforms that have already begun, with a special focus on vulnerable categories of the population - people with disabilities, the elderly, young people, victims of gender-based violence. Public administration has an immeasurably important role when it comes to social inclusion and creating conditions for better revenue generation for everyone, said Gašparíková.