Montenegro

The biggest regional programme UNDP ever did in South-Eastern Europe to be coordinated in Montenegro

The Programme “Strengthening capacities in the Western Balkans countries to mitigate environmental problems through remediation of high priority hot spots" includes six countries/territories in the Region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo-UN administered territory under UN Security Council Resolution SB 1244). Each of the above mentioned countries will receive USD 2,118.840 for their projects and, apart from this amount the UNDP Montenegro will receive additional 1,3 million dollars for coordination of regional activities, organization of regional conferences, workshops and trainings for experts, etc..

The Programme Document was signed by Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Ms. Gordana Đurović on behalf of the Government of Montenegro, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands H. E. Mr. Ronald J.P.M. Van Dartel on behalf of the Government of the Netherlands and Mr. Garret Tankosić Kelly, UNDP Resident Representative a.i./UN Interagency Focal Point in Montenegro on behalf of the UNDP Montenegro.

After the official signing, Deputy Prime Minister Ms. Gordana Đurović stated that the key critical environmental spots in the region were well detected and they would be mitigated through this Programme. “Support to the remediation of Lead and Zinc Tailing Mine Impoundment in Mojkovac, Montenegro is not just one of financially most valuable projects but it is basically a very important one for overall and regional development of Montenegro, and it represents a significant proof for the Government that Montenegro is also competent to coordinate regional projects in cooperation with the UNDP. However, we in Montenegro will not only deal with the implementation of this project but also with regional cooperation and strengthening of community awareness of the importance of improving the quality of life for the citizens in the region,” said Deputy Prime Minister Đurović.

Ambassador H. E. Mr. Ronald J.P.M. Van Dartel said that his country’s support to this Programme was intended to promote regional cooperation on environmental protection programmes. “Also, we will support raising of public awareness of those issues in five countries of the Western Balkans. In this way we will support all the cleaning and remediation operations on those locations where environmental waste is, and this is the most important part of the entire package,” Ambassador Van Dartel said. The Dutch Ambassador expressed hope that this project would open new possibilities for future activities and create new economic opportunities, and he also invited other international donor organisations to support similar programmes.

 

UNDP Montenegro Representative Mr. Garret Tankosić Kelly said that the thing he likes about the Programme is the fact that it is concrete and it tackles resolving the issue of hot spots with industrial waste. “So far we have had a good cooperation with the Montenegrin Government on various projects, which are also concrete. Remediation of environmental hot spots is equal to sending a positive message. Such projects are the best indicators of the importance of regional cooperation because pollution knows no boundaries, and the region is facing a dilemma - how to resolve the problem of economic growth without polluting the environment,” said Mr. Tankosić Kelly, “If one river in a certain country is polluted, then the pollution in the river spreads throughout the entire Balkans region. That is why it is important that these projects be of regional nature.“

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The main aim of the Programme “Strengthening capacities in the Western Balkans countries to mitigate environmental problems through remediation of high priority hot spots" is to achieve improvement of environmental situation and quality of life for citizens through the least-cost measures, improved local and national policy dialogue and the supply of domestic professional services in the environmental management sector. While the main focus will be the physical works needed to mitigate the ecological problems, the institutional strengthening and capacity building in the Western Balkans countries to address environmental problems through regional co-operation will be an important subject addressed by the programme.

The word of Regional Environmental Programme Manager - Vijesti Daily