UAE & Montenegro Forge Deeper Ties in Government Modernization Drive
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A strategic partnership focused on government modernization is gaining momentum between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Montenegro, with recent high-level discussions paving the way for enhanced collaboration across a diverse range of sectors. An official visit to Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital, by the Government Knowledge Exchange Office underscored a commitment to sharing best practices and accelerating digital transformation initiatives in both nations.
The visit, which concluded recently, involved meetings with key Montenegrin government officials, including Maraš Dukai, Minister of Public Administration; Danilo Šaranović, Minister of the Interior; and Matija Medović, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mining. These discussions centered on strengthening the existing bilateral partnership and activating a cooperation agreement initially signed during the World Government Summit in February 2025.
Expanding Cooperation Across Key Sectors
The scope of potential collaboration is broad, encompassing areas critical to modern governance and economic development. Discussions focused on the exchange of experiences in government development, digital government, innovation, technology, energy, digital transformation, public services, artificial intelligence, information security, crisis and emergency management, and even the tourism and aviation sectors.
“The partnership between the UAE and Montenegro in the areas of government modernization enjoys the care, attention and follow-up of the leadership of the two friendly countries,” a senior official stated. “This visit represented an opportunity to discuss paths of cooperation and its future prospects in the areas that have the most impact on government work and society.”
Focus on Digital Identity and Cybersecurity
Specific areas of focus included bolstering Montenegro’s capabilities in digital identity and cybersecurity. During a meeting with Minister Šaranović, the delegation explored avenues for cooperation in these increasingly vital domains. Furthermore, discussions with Marash Dukai highlighted the potential for implementing best practices in digital transformation, government accelerator programs, and performance management systems.
The delegation also gained insights into Montenegro’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem during a meeting with Valentina Radulovic, Director General of the Science and Technology Park. This provided an opportunity to learn about ongoing technological entrepreneurship projects within the country.
A Commitment to Sustainable Knowledge Exchange
The meetings reaffirmed a shared commitment to institutional capacity building and a “sustainable path of knowledge exchange.” According to reports, both sides emphasized the importance of leveraging each other’s experiences to create a “qualitative shift in government work.”
“The meetings with ministers and officials of the Montenegrin government discussed enhancing the exchange of knowledge and sharing experiences in areas of common interest,” a source confirmed. “We reviewed the most prominent experiences and best practices developed by the governments of the two countries, and ways to enhance them.”
This strengthened partnership signals a growing trend of international collaboration aimed at modernizing governance and driving economic growth through innovation and technological advancement.
