The Minister of Mining, Oil and Gas of Montenegro, Mr. Admir Šahmanović, met with the UNDP Resident Representative in Montenegro, Ekaterina Paniklova, to discuss the ministry’s priorities for 2025 and explore opportunities for developing new projects and collaboration programs.
According to the Ministry, during the meeting, Paniklova summarized the results from 2024, emphasizing that an analysis showed significant potential for creating new support programs for the Montenegrin administration.
One of the key initiatives Paniklova highlighted was strengthening public sector capacity, specifically focusing on training civil servants in project preparation for nominations for international funding. Data shows that several projects were neither realized nor considered for implementation due to inadequate preparation and readiness for the next procedural steps.
Through predefined training programs, public servants will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare projects more effectively and improve their connection with international funds.
“Our ambition is to continue improving the legal and institutional framework, and the support of UNDP in this process is crucial. This program is a great opportunity to enhance the functionality of the state administration and, through the synergy of expertise and strategic planning, create a long-term foundation for the development of Montenegro,” said Šahmanović.
Paniklova emphasized that UNDP remains committed to supporting Montenegro in implementing key reforms aligned with the 2030 Agenda and sustainable development goals.
“All our joint efforts are focused on ensuring that Montenegro utilizes its potential in a sustainable and economically viable way. UNDP will continue to support the Ministry in creating and implementing innovative solutions. Through this type of training and education, our aim is to strengthen the capacity and expertise of civil servants in the areas of project preparation, nomination, and ultimately, project implementation,” said Paniklova.
Šahmanović also discussed the development of a strategy for implementing alternative fuels, focusing on green hydrogen and biofuels technology. The Ministry plans to intensify activities in these areas next year, and expert support from UNDP could play a significant role in realizing the planned projects.
In addition to the Minister and UNDP Resident Representative, the meeting was attended by State Secretary Dino Tutundžić and General Director of the Directorate for Oil and Gas, Zorana Sekulić.
According to the Ministry, this meeting reinforced the strong commitment of both the Ministry of Mining, Oil, and Gas and UNDP to further cooperation aimed at modernizing the energy sector, protecting natural resources, and strengthening Montenegro’s energy and economic resilience.
One of the topics discussed was potential collaboration in the area of digitalization, considering the importance of digital transformation and its impact on almost all segments of society.
