On 11 November, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Parliament's Committee on Tourism, Agriculture, Ecology and Spatial Planning concluded a two-day workshop on climate change and its cross-sectoral impacts, organized for parliamentary committee staff and the Green Parliamentary Group.
The workshop focused on analysing key national and international climate policy documents and frameworks. Participants discussed the European Green Deal, Montenegro's National Biennial Update Report on Climate Change, sustainable agriculture and energy efficiency, exploring their implications for policymaking and parliamentary work.
In his opening address, the Deputy Head of Mission, Giovanni Gabassi, emphasized that climate change was a cross-sectoral challenge affecting the overall well-being of citizens. "A co-ordinated, cross-sectoral approach and strong institutional capacities are key to addressing the multifaceted impacts of climate change. Parliament has a vital role in addressing climate change," said Gabassi. He reiterated the Mission's commitment to supporting Parliament in strengthening its legislative and oversight capacities, promoting good governance and enhancing accountability in environmental and climate-related matters.
The Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, Agriculture, Ecology and Spatial Planning, Dejan Đurović, stressed that the preservation of natural resources, protection of biodiversity, responsible spatial planning and balancing development needs with nature conservation required a serious, systematic and long-term approach. "This is precisely why I believe it is important to additionally strengthen the parliamentary role in considering these issues, improve the legislative framework, strengthen parliamentary oversight mechanisms, and create space for high-quality professional and public debate," said Đurović, adding that Parliament has made a significant effort to ensure that the legislative part in the area of environment is aligned with international standards.
The workshop provided an opportunity for parliamentary staff to deepen their understanding of climate change-related policies and challenges, while strengthening their capacity to support the Parliament's legislative, oversight and policy-making functions.
By facilitating knowledge exchange and promoting a comprehensive understanding of climate-related issues, the Mission continues to support Parliament in contributing to more informed decision-making and effective responses to environmental and climate challenges.
