Call to Action from the Government of Montenegro on Earthquake Risk

This Call to Action, presented by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, H.E. Milojko Spajić, at the 2024 Europe and Central Asia Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, underscores the urgent need for proactive measures to address the seismic vulnerabilities of the Europe and Central Asia region. Highlighting the region’s shared exposure to seismic risks, the statement recalls Montenegro’s own experiences with devastating earthquakes, particularly the 1979 earthquake that profoundly impacted communities and infrastructure. It emphasizes that earthquakes remain one of the most destructive natural hazards faced by countries in this area, demanding a transboundary and coordinated approach. By drawing attention to the broader climate emergency and its role in compounding natural hazards, the call reinforces the importance of resilience-oriented policies to protect both human lives and economies across borders.

The Call to Action outlines four priority actions for enhancing regional earthquake preparedness: strengthening and enforcing earthquake-resistant building codes, retrofitting vulnerable infrastructure—especially critical assets like hospitals and schools—improving cross-border collaboration for multi-risk assessments and joint preparedness exercises, and establishing robust governance frameworks for disaster-proofing infrastructure systems.