December 13, 2019 - Ministers of the Western Balkan countries and members of the Energy Community, during a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Energy Community in Skopje, adopted a document on the goals for 2030 concerning the harmonization of climate and energy plans. Member States have supported the alignment of their ambitions with those of the European Union, i.e., to follow the aspirations of the European Union regarding energy and climate plans when determining its own goals for 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and share energy from renewable sources.

Although it's striving for EU membership, the governments of the six Western Balkan countries have lagged behind the plans and ambitions of the Union in adopting and implementing its regulations. While the EU is preparing for the imminent decarbonization, most governments in the region are still planning to develop and build new coal-fired power plants, despite the enormous potential for energy savings.

However, not everything is so gloomy. The European financial institutions abandoned coal, and the World Bank did the same, so two months ago it denied funding for the construction of a new thermal power plant in Kosovo. This decision does not come from environmental initiatives but economic ones - their policy is to finance the most cost-effective projects, and renewable energy sources are merely now cheaper than coal.

What is essential now for the governments of the region is setting ambitious goals and acting by them. These actions will show us whether our governments are aware of the enormous opportunities to develop through the inevitable energy transition or will this effort be interpreted only as an EU request.

Civil society organizations across the region have long been warning the public not only of the lack of climatic ambitions of their governments and old plans for energy systems but also of a series of violations of domestic and international laws and directives in the development of the energy systems.

World scientists have suggested that the effects of climate change are far faster and more devastating than anticipated. To keep global temperature growth at 1.5 degrees, UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) released a report calling on all countries to increase their ambitions five times. Thanks to the Energy Community, the Western Balkans has come up with concrete changes to reduce the impact on climate change with more awareness to the urgency of the necessary action.

Text by CdM, on December 12th, 2018, read more at CdM

December 13, 2018 - The support of the United Nations, and in particular, UNDP, is of great importance in the realization of projects crucial to the development of Podgorica, said Mayor Ivan Vukovic today in a conversation with Fiona McLean, the United Nations System Coordinator. Cooperation in the previous period was particularly useful in the areas of capacity building, social inclusion, environmental protection, and urban planning, and in the forthcoming period, further expanding is expected.

"We are open to your proposals because we are aware of the high level of expertise that you own when it comes to urban problems that Podgorica is facing. We have set up a very ambitious agenda, and I think that it is largely in line with the United Nations development goals," the mayor said.

He presented the most important projects that are being implemented or prepared in the Capital, especially singling out the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and its importance for the preservation of the environment, not only in Podgorica but also throughout the country. As projects of significance for sustainable development, he also outlined the planned construction of a solar power plant, the development of bicycling in the city, and the intention of the City to reconstruct public buildings in its ownership with the aim of becoming more energy efficient.

Noting that her professional career began in local government, the UN Coordinator pointed out that she is well aware of the power of this branch of government to change or improve the quality and way of life of people through their actions. She specifically focused on the Sustainable Development Agenda till 2030, as a good guideline for further cooperation of the United Nations System.

The objective 11 of Agenda concerns the sustainable development of cities and ways to make them more inclusive, safer and more flexible. It is an excellent task with many dimensions, and I will happily cooperate in its realization here in Podgorica, as the largest city in Montenegro," Mekluni said.

She particularly emphasized the need to work on environmental goals, supporting marginalized groups, implementing solutions of so-called "smart cities", and protecting cultural and natural heritage.

Text by CdM, on December 11th, 2018, read more at CdM

December 13, 2018 - The third edition of the Podgorica Film Festival officially ended on Sunday, December 9^th, at the Cultural and Information Center "Budo Tomovic." During the five festival days, the audience had the opportunity to enjoy 26 films, of which 16 premiered in Montenegro. The festival featured films that received numerous awards and were featured at the most important festivals that the Montenegrin audience did not have the opportunity to see on the regular cinema repertoire.

On the last festival day, the Montenegrin premiere featured a short feature film "Put", by young director Senad Šahmanović. The festival closed with the films "Comic Sans" by Nevia Marasovic and "Did you see my film" by Paul Anton Smith.

For the first time this year, the audience was able to evaluate the films in the selection of the Podgorica Film Festival.

The Japanese film "Thieves" by director Hirokazu Korede received the highest rating of the audience. This emotional drama won the Golden Palm at the renowned Cannes Festival. The film follows Osama and his family, who, after one of their petty thefts, encountered an abandoned, frozen little girl. At the beginning, reluctant to protect the girl, Osamu's wife agrees to take care of her when she finds out what kind of problems she is facing. Although poor and petty thefts barely provide survival, they look like a happy family, while an unforeseen incident does not reveal their secrets, putting on a test the connection that keeps them together. Japanese movie "Thieves" makes us think about what the family is really like.

 The film was very well received by the Podgorica audience who rated it with an average score of 4.92. 

The second place according to the votes of the audience went to the Croatian film "Comic Sans" with an average score of 4.70. At the Pula Film Festival "Comic Sans" won the Golden Gate Audience Award, and at the International Films Festival FEST in Belgrade it received the Jury of Film Critics Award "Nebojsa Djukelić" for best film in the region.

The Danish Oscar nominee, Gustav Meller's film "Guilty", came in third with an average score of 4.62. Moller's tense thriller was shown at the opening of the Podgorica Film Festival. He won public awards at the Sundance and Rotterdam festivals.

Great interest of the audience was triggered by the Montenegrin and Bosnian-Herzegovinian co-production, film "Borders, Rain" by Vlastimir Sudar and Nikola Mijovic. Mijovic's and Sudare's story of love, maturity, and hope got a score of 4.55. In addition to the film, Sudar presented himself to the Podgorica audience as the author of the book "Portrait of the Artist as a Political Dissident - Life and Work of Aleksandar Petrović" within the accompanying program of the Festival. In fifth place, with a score of 4.48, was "Foxtrot" by Samuel Maoza. At the prestigious Film Festival in Venice, it was awarded the Silver Lion. In addition to the main program, the audience also enjoyed the films of Turkish director Semih Kaplanoglu, whose retrospective was organized in cooperation with the Yunus Emre Institute. Within the accompanying program of the festival, panels and workshops were organized.

At the opening ceremony, the Montenegrin Cinematheque awarded the film "Kino-oko", and the famous Serbian director and former professor at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje, Miloš Miša Radivojević.

The festival was organized by NGO Podgorica Film Festival and the Montenegrin Cinematheque. The Ministry of Culture supported the festival, the Ministry of Tourism and the Secretariat for Culture and Sport of the Capital of Podgorica. Partners of Podgorica film festival are KIC "Budo Tomovic," Yunus Emre Institute, Film Center of Montenegro and MEDIA Desk of Creative Europe.

Text by CdM, on December 12th, 2018, read more at CdM

December 13, 2018 - Fifty days from the opening of the Adventure Park in Vrbanj, 1,202 people have successfully visited, while around 6,000 of them attended to enjoy nature, said the Municipality of Herceg Novi.

Among park users, 40 percent were children, while 60 percent were adults. Among the organized group visits to the Herceg Novi hinterland were sports teams, schools, scouts, hikers.

"We had visitors from all of Boka Bay, Podgorica, Bar, Nikšić, Trebinje, Dubrovnik, and Bileća. The Mountaineering Society from Dubrovnik brought about eighty people on one occasion. In addition, guests were Russians, Norwegians, Italians, as well as two Cubans who heard of the Adventure Park Vrbanj during their stay in Herceg Novi and were delighted with the contents," explains Miroslav Milanovic, the manager of the Adventure Park, acting as the organizational unit of the Agency for Construction and Development of Herceg Novi.

Although it was already snowing on Vrbanj, the Adventure Park worked during all the sunny days. Only last week there were 76 users, and over 100 visitors, who were not bothered by the lower temperatures and did not bother to test the obstacles placed in the beech forests. The adventure park will work until the end of this month whenever weather conditions allow it - when there is no rain or ice.

In addition to instructors who equip, train and monitor users, two guards are engaged to maintain the built-in equipment on a daily basis. Also, with the help of the Tourism Organization of Herceg Novi, we provided a field vehicle used for the transport of stuff, which is of particular importance for possible emergency interventions of any kind.

As Milanovic said, the effects of opening the Adventure Park are already visible. Private agencies from Herceg Novi, Kotor and Tivat announced that would include this content in the 2019 offer. Also, certain businessmen have the ideas for new complement contents, and the locals are pleased and willing to support all initiatives for organizing various events that will "in a short time revive Vrbanj."
According to the director of the Municipality Agency Boro Lučić, the past period has confirmed the predictions that the new facilities will be equal to the development of tourism in the suburban area.

The construction of the Adventure Park in Vrbanj is part of the INTERREG - IPA project "Adriatic Canyoning" implemented by the Agency for Construction and Development in cooperation with partners from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. As part of this project we are expecting an "Orjen Adventure Weekend" in spring, which will further affirm the Adventure Park and beauty of the Herceg Novi hinterland, says the Municipality announcement.

12 December 2018 - On the occasion of the official opening of the winter season in Žabljak on December 15 and 16, the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro is organizing a “Ski opening” weekend.

On Saturday, December 15, visitors of Žabljak will be able to enjoy a free all-day program at the “Savin kuk” Ski Resort and the city square. For the youngest visitors, the organization has provided ski instructors, animators, snowmobiles, tickets for the adventure park and numerous fun games. The adult activities ski opening program includes a free ski pass, adventure park tickets and snowshoe walks.

Additionally, the entertaining segment of the program, from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm, will include the sounds of DJ Mr Jools, followed by majorettes, free drinks and preparation, and a tasting of the traditional meal of Northern Montenegro, kačamak.

From 4 pm to 8 pm, the entertainment program will continue at the Durmitor Warriors' Square, where a concert of the band “Senkina đeca” will be held. The celebration includes free food and drinks, a lighting up of the Christmas tree in the town square and fireworks.

On Sunday, December 16, all visitors to the Ski Centre “Savin kuk” get a 50% discount on the price of a ski pass.

For both days of the weekend celebration, National Tourist Organization of Montenegro has prepared free bus transport for all interested visitors. Reservations can be made no later than Thursday, December 13, by a free call to call centre number 0 8000 1300 from 7 am to 3 pm.

On Saturday, December 15, departure from Podgorica is scheduled at 8 am in front of the Hotel "Podgorica", and return is reserved for at 4 pm from “Savin kuk” Resort or at 8 pm from the Durmitor Warriors' Square. Transport from the ski resort to the square is also provided at 3:30 pm.

On Sunday, December 16, departure from Podgorica is planned at 8 am in front of the Hotel "Podgorica", and return from the “Savin Kuk” Ski Resort is at 4 pm.

After Žabljak, National Tourism Organization of Montenegro will organize a similar ski opening event in Kolašin.

11 December 2018 - Interior Minister Mevludin Nuhodžić said at the United Nations conference on migration held in Morocco that the Government of Montenegro is working in all fields, in order to better regulate migration processes. The country, as the responsible state, also took all measures for the possible acceptance of migrants and refugees in the event of their inflows and that it is in line with all international standards in this field. Montenegro is committed to further strengthening regional cooperation in order to preserve the security of countries of Western Balkans and borders together too. 

“The Government of Montenegro is very active in different areas, aiming to regulate migration processes better, especially when it comes to controlling of entry to the territory of Montenegro. As a responsible country, we have taken all the necessary measures to be able to accommodate migrants and refugees in case of their eventual inflow, in line with all international standards in this area.” – Minister Nuhodžić said in Marrakech at the Intergovernmental Conference on the Adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Convenient and Regular Migration. 

At the event, opened by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, heads of states and governments, as well as high-level representatives from more than 150 countries, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, supported the Global Compact for Safe, Convenient and Legal migration, which establishes a framework for managing migration flows, through cooperation with European and international partners in border control in an integrated and coordinated manner. Secretary General Guterres announced that participation in the conference shows the importance that the international community attaches to finding solutions for better migration management, based on the principles of state sovereignty, shared responsibility, non-discrimination and human rights. 

Addressing the gathering, the Montenegrin Minister reminded that Montenegro welcomes the synchronized international activity, ie the definition of the Global Compact for Safe, Convenient and Regular Migration, which is a clear political signal to the unique activities and shared responsibility of the countries of origin, transit and destination to deal with this phenomenon. He said that the position of Montenegro is that the definition of the Global Compact represents another confirmation of the importance of effective multilateralism in addressing the growing challenges facing the world. 

“Montenegro is strongly committed to regional cooperation and enhancing the stability of the region. We believe that responsible approach in addressing migration related challenges requires joint activities of all countries to be able to cope with the very complex task of securing the country's borders while, at the same time, providing better future to those facing suffering. Within that context, it is of extreme importance that all Western Balkan countries align their national legislation in the area of migration and asylum, as well as to harmonize their normative frameworks with EU Directives and standards, and in particular to develop human resources and technical capacities within their systems for control of the movement of foreigners. The migrant crisis that has affected Europe pointed to numerous deficiencies of national systems, underlining the need for regional cooperation, sharing of experiences, information, data, as well as sharing of missing resources, thus developing a joint response to this challenge.” – Minister Nuhodžić emphasised. 

On the margins Minister Nuhodžić spoke with Foreign Ministers of Croatia Davor Božinović and the Republic of Turkey, Suleyman Soylu, on bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation in the area of security and migration management. 

In the Montenegrin delegation, which was led by Minister Nuhodžić, were also the State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zoran Janković and the Head of the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the United Nations, Ambassador Milica Pejanović Djurišić. 

11 December 2018 - Montenegro has made significant efforts to improve both the legislative and institutional framework for human rights and freedoms, said Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin, adding that in the coming period there will be challenges in implementing the adopted regulations. 

In his speech at the opening of the conference, which marked the International Human Rights Day in Podgorica, Deputy Prime Minister Pažin emphasised the importance of accepting diversity and suppressing all forms of discrimination in Montenegrin society. 

"This extremely negative phenomenon of discrimination needs to be suppressed because it destroys the very foundations of civil society. By the nature of things, those who are most vulnerable in society, vulnerable groups in society, are always affected. That is why we need to fight persistently and thoroughly against discrimination," he said. 

The Deputy Prime Minister said that another type of challenge stems from growing violence in society, from verbal violence to physical violence. "With this negative phenomenon, we also have to fight as a society that is civically committed. From violence against women, domestic violence in general, violence against children, including sexual violence, to an extremely dangerous and harmful violence against members of the journalistic profession and media assets."

He pointed out that, as a civil society, Montenegro should build a special sensibility towards those who are most exposed to violence, rejection, and discrimination, such as persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTI population and members of minorities, regardless of the personal characteristics that determine their minority's commitment. 

"I am convinced that we are all vigorously committed to these noble goals, as I am convinced that every 10 December we will be able to ascertain the progress made in this area because that is what is the measure of our civic identity," the Deputy Prime Minister concluded. 

The conference on the topic "Protection of human rights and freedoms in Montenegro", within the celebration of the Human Rights Day, aims at assessing the level of respect and protection of human rights and freedoms in Montenegro, with an overview of areas identified as challenging and requiring more intense efforts by all actors in the society to reach the highest standards.

December 12, 2018 - The Morača Sports Center has been turned into a multifunctional energy-efficient facility, and thanks to new lighting, it is expected to save 80% of energy, according to the UNDP office in Montenegro, which supported the project of energy efficiency with 65,000 euros.

Ana Pajević Tošić from UNDP said that the renovated sports facilities include restoring the large hall, and the complete reconstruction of locker rooms, club offices, media conference rooms, medical rooms, massage rooms, and other accompanying rooms.

In SC "Morača", according to Pajević Tosic, according to the current standard and most modern solutions, a new VIP salon was built.

"Architects who worked on the project tried to limit the carbon footprint of the Sports Center, and make new and old sports facilities more energy efficient. This part of the project was supported by UNDP to help improve the conditions for the development of Montenegrin sport, all following the Law on Energy Efficiency, Global Environmental Change, IOC recommendations, and EU standards."

Through part of the reconstruction related to the energy efficiency of the building, the center received new lighting, and according to Pajević Tosić, electrical installations, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and hydraulic network have also been restored. 

"The project has enabled the replacement of 108 classical bulbs with 52 new LEDs, as well as the installation of supporting equipment, i.e., lighting management system, which will contribute to reducing the cost of electricity and simplifying the management and control system." 

SC "Moraca" is said to be almost the most energy-demanding sports building in Montenegro. New highly efficient LED lighting will save up to 80 percent of energy compared to old traditional bulbs. Also, annually, 80,000 kWh of electricity will be saved, and CO2 emissions will be reduced by 94.1 t - which will even lower maintenance costs.

Text by Damira Kalac, on December 10th, 2018, read more at Vijesti

December 12, 2018 - The concept and content of the Human Rights Film Festival "Ubrzaj (Accelerate) 2018", in the most concrete way, opens current issues in the field of human rights, which can further enhance the responsibility of the society, but also to awaken the often dormant conscience of the individual, said Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanovic at the opening of the festival that will last until December 14th.

As announced by the Ministry of Culture, during the event there will be films organized by the Center for Civic Education, with the support of the Government and the EU Delegation to Montenegro.

"It is especially important that this festival focuses on the film form, because, in addition to the fact that such topics can be most problematic, the receptivity of cinema enables a wider audience to be able to act further. This is particularly important in societies like ours, in which much more must be done to change consciousness, taking into account that legal regulations are in line with the standards of those most emancipated societies," Bogdanovic said.

This year's festival, the ninth in a row, was opened with the screening of the film "Eighth Commissioner" by director Ivan Salaja. This is the first and only festival of its kind in Montenegro, which actively contributes to raising the awareness of citizens about the importance of human rights and their protection, through the film, as an artistic expression. Speaking about the significance of the Festival, the minister pointed out that the festival "Ubrzaj" offers a wide range of topics dealing with violated rights and freedoms.

"Today's activities for the defense of the human rights and freedoms must be equally focused both on the problem of past ideas and ideologies, as well as on the recent extreme ambitions of monitoring and controlling people's lives. Only in this way we can step into the future in which the freedom of the individual will not be one of the burning issues. For Montenegro and the environment "Ubrzaj" festival is becoming an increasingly important manifestation, by which awareness of the unquestionable human rights and freedoms can be raised to a higher level," said Bogdanović.

As he added, in addition to the fact that the contemporary world is again confronted with the fear of the other and the different, this initiator of every attack on human rights and freedoms, in the accelerated progress has also brought new phenomena that could endanger the individual's freedom by jeopardizing his privacy.

"Today, when in the digital world this privacy becomes more visible and accessible to various abuses, it is necessary to constantly keep warning to the risk of the emergence of some new forms of the disorder, whose repression is often overwhelmed with the seductive and seemingly harmless content of the virtual world," concluded Bogdanović.

Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro Aivo Orav emphasized that this year the European Union is the proud donor of "Ubrzaj" festival as part of a larger project 360° Full circle for the human rights, which aims to contribute to reducing discrimination and promoting tolerance and respect for human rights in Montenegro.

"Films enable us to provide people with new perspectives and points of view, as well as to reinforce the audience's knowledge that personal dedication can produce a lasting and significant impact on society," Orav said.

Executive Director of the Center for Civic Education Daliborka Uljarevic reminded that today is the International Human Rights Day and proudly announced that the IX Festival "Ubrzaj" has become a member of the Human Rights Network with its head office in Amsterdam, which gathers 41 film festival of human rights from all over the world, which represents a significant international recognition. She also announced this year's laureates for the promotion of human rights and civic activism in the category NGO Center for Women's Rights and Association Spektra, as well as Sabina Talović in the category of the individuals. In the selection of the Festival for 2018, there were 15 performances from Montenegro, and the motto of this year's festival is "Watch and Remember."

Text by CdM, on December 10th, 2018, read more at CdM