Today, on 5 December 2025, the inaugural meeting of the Expert Working Group for Water Sector Climate Resilience was held in Podgorica, Montenegro. This advisory body has been established under the Green Climate Fund-funded “Strengthening Technical and Institutional Capacities in the Water Sector in Montenegro to Enable Inclusive Climate Resilience Initiatives.” project.
The Working Group represents an important step toward enhancing institutional cooperation and improving the planning of adaptation measures in the water sector in the country, where climate change impacts are already visible through increasingly frequent droughts, water shortages, and pressures on key economic sectors.
It brings together representatives of relevant government institutions, public companies, local governments, scientific and professional organizations, and the private sector, ensuring a broad intersectoral perspective in shaping recommendations and guiding project activities. Its work will be integrated with the National Designated Authority (NDA) for the Green Climate Fund, providing a sustainable institutional framework and continuity beyond the project’s completion.
The first Expert Working Group meeting marks a key step forward in strengthening institutional cooperation and improving the planning of water adaptation measures—at a time when climate change is already being felt through more frequent droughts, water shortages, and growing pressure on vital economic sectors.
Inaugural Meeting Officially Opened
The first meeting of the Working Group took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Podgorica. The session began with opening remarks and introductions of the members, followed by discussions on two key documents:
- Draft Rules of Procedure, which define the Working Group’s functioning (decision-making, roles of co-chairs, preparation of materials, and organization of meetings);
- Draft Work Plan, which outlines a series of meetings and activities supporting the development of key project outputs, including the Climate Risk Assessment for the Adriatic Basin, the Climate-Resilient Water Investment Plan, and the development of a project concept for financing by the Green Climate Fund.
Participants provided constructive comments and recommendations on both documents, considering possible institutional, technical, and financial challenges in the upcoming work.
The Working Group will play a key role in strengthening national capacities and fostering the development of investments aimed at climate adaptation in the water sector.
Next Steps
In line with the Work Plan, additional meetings will be organized in the coming months to review the draft Climate Risk Assessment and draft Investment Plan, prioritize project ideas, and develop the concept note for the Green Climate Fund. These activities will culminate in the finalization of project proposals and consideration of the possibilities for institutionalizing the Working Group as a permanent cooperation mechanism.