Montenegro presented concrete results and ambitions in the development of climate-resilient and sustainable cities in Zagreb at the regional conferences “Climate Resilient Cities” and “Urban Mobility Academy for Climate-Resilient Cities”, organized by the German Development Agency (GIZ) in cooperation with the CIVINET network, ODRAZ, the Transport Community, and other regional partners. Through joint initiatives and projects, Montenegrin municipalities demonstrated that they are increasingly aligning with European trends in urban mobility and climate resilience. The regional conference brought together experts and decision-makers, reaffirming the important role of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro in collaborative initiatives, projects, and other measures aimed at fostering more resilient cities.
During the conference, significant progress made by Montenegrin municipalities in planning and implementing measures related to climate resilience and sustainable mobility was highlighted, particularly those developed and carried out through GIZ’s long-standing technical and professional support. Participants from across the region exchanged experiences, best practices, and innovative solutions in the fields of climate resilience, sustainable mobility, and resilient urban planning. It was especially emphasized that, through its programmes and regional platforms, GIZ has facilitated professional exchange, training, and networking among experts, thereby making a substantial contribution to strengthening the capacities of local governments across Southeast Europe.
On behalf of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, the secretary of the Committee for Spatial Planning Marija Kljajić presented the key achievements of UoM-MNE member municipalities in developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs), as well as Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs). Kljajić emphasized that many of these processes were initiated and advanced thanks to the continuous professional cooperation between the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro and GIZ, which enabled the implementation of pilot projects and strengthened the institutional capacities of municipalities.
Kljajić pointed to the challenges local governments face in implementing climate policies, while highlighting the Union of Municipalities’ priorities in further improving spatial planning, integrating climate measures into development documents, and strengthening urban resilience. She also emphasized that sustainable urban mobility is one of the key pillars of the green transition and that climate resilience must be an integral component of every transport infrastructure plan.
On behalf of the Secretariat for Transport of the Capital City of Podgorica, Mervan Drpljanin presented projects aimed at the modernization and digitalization of public transport, improvements to cycling infrastructure, and plans to be included in the new Transport Study for the period 2025–2030.
A significant contribution was also made by Gavrilo Vuković, Secretary of the Secretariat for Urban Planning, who took part in discussions on integrated planning and climate-resilient solutions. Through exchanges with representatives of GIZ, CIVINET, and the Transport Community, Vuković helped open important channels for future cooperation and additional support for the Capital City in projects focused on sustainable urban development.
The Municipality of Berane played a notable role in the programme segment dedicated to the development of urban mobility measures with a focus on climate resilience. The municipality’s representative Radosava Barjaktarović highlighted that Berane is already independently implementing measures that contribute to climate resilience — from the construction of riverbank protection structures along the Lim River and the development of pedestrian zones, to the revitalization of public spaces through greening initiatives and the planting of native species adapted to changing climate conditions.
The municipality is also in the process of preparing local plans that will include clearly defined urban mobility measures with a strong focus on climate resilience, which was recognized at the conference as an example of good practice.
The representative of the Municipality of Tivat, Nataša Raičević, presented the municipality’s activities in the field of sustainable urban mobility, including the development of cycling infrastructure and improvements to urban infrastructure that contribute to reducing emissions and enhancing quality of life.
By participating in this conference, representatives of Montenegro made a strong contribution to the regional dialogue on the green transition and the development of climate-resilient cities. The event confirmed that, with the support of GIZ and through active cooperation with the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, Montenegrin municipalities are increasingly improving their strategic documents, strengthening institutional capacities, and implementing sustainable projects that contribute to climate resilience and smart urban development.
