The President of the Capital City Assembly, Dr Jelena Borovinić Bojović, today opened the round table “Advancing Sustainable Development at the Local Level”, organized by the Capital City Assembly in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro.
“European cities and municipalities have shown that it is possible to establish a system that is both environmentally responsible and economically viable. Their experience demonstrates the importance of an integrated approach – planning that includes the use of renewable energy sources, infrastructure modernization and, most importantly, strengthening the capacities of local governments and raising citizens’ awareness,” the President of the Capital City Assembly noted.
“We know that local governments in Montenegro are often on the front line when it comes to pollution, illegal dumpsites, outdated energy systems and limited budgets. That is why we must work together to secure not only financial resources, but also technical assistance, knowledge and a strategic vision,” she concluded.
The participants were also welcomed by Mišela Manojlović, Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro, who highlighted the role of local governments as key actors in sustainable development:
“Municipalities are best placed to identify the specific challenges as well as the strengths of their communities. You are the ones who best understand the needs of citizens, while at the same time bearing the key responsibility for developing and implementing policies that enable sustainable growth and development.”
The first panel, entitled “Energy Efficiency at the Local Level”, focused on strategic policies and projects being implemented across the country. The panel also discussed projects implemented by UNDP, including efforts to improve energy efficiency in households in Pljevlja and the development of the Local Energy Plan for the Municipality of Zeta, as well as national programmes aimed at improving energy efficiency measures implemented by the Eco Fund and the Ministry of Energy, with technical support from UNDP. Certain challenges were also highlighted, such as the lack of interested and qualified companies and skilled workforce at the local level.
The second panel, dedicated to waste management at the local level, focused on strategies and good practices in this field. Particular emphasis was placed on the example of the operations of the Podgorica Landfill and plans for its further development, which will also be supported by UNDP through the implementation of the ReWaste project, funded by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic.
The discussion addressed experiences and challenges in local waste management, highlighting the need to strengthen inter-municipal cooperation and the exchange of experience on waste management issues, as well as the need for additional investment in infrastructure modernization.
The round table participants repeatedly emphasized the important role of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro in strengthening cooperation among municipalities, as well as in representing the interests of local governments through joint initiatives aimed at sustainable development.
As announced during the event, UNDP and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro will continue to organize thematic sessions of this kind, involving local public and private enterprises in the dialogue. Future discussions will focus on digitalization and digital services, the exchange of innovative solutions and technologies, and the development of inter-municipal cooperation in areas such as urban planning, sustainable transport, nature-based solutions, disaster risk reduction, energy efficiency and waste management.
Foto: Ivan Mandić/UNDP
