We express our profound and unequivocal concern over the public statement by the Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property, Slaven Radunović, questioning the status of the Natural and Cultural‑Historical Region of Kotor as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
His remarks were prompted by the conclusions of the recent session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in Paris in July 2025, which reviewed the state of conservation of the Kotor site. The Committee’s report and decisions warn of serious deterioration caused by ongoing developmental pressures, misaligned regulations, and institutional deficiencies that threaten the Outstanding Universal Value of Kotor and raise the possibility of placing it on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
In adopted decisions, the Committee explicitly requires Montenegro to suspend all new construction and development approvals within the protected zone and buffer area, until planning and institutional frameworks at national, regional, and local levels are aligned. It also calls for a cumulative impact assessment of all relevant projects since 2023 and a comprehensive report on corrective measures by February 2026.
We remind that Kotor, privileged by its UNESCO status, is not just cultural heritage of Montenegro, but WORLD HERITAGE – belonging to all humanity. Hence, as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention, Montenegro has the obligation and responsibility to protect these site(s) – heritage that belongs not just to Boka or Montenegro, but to the entire world.
The preservation and protection of this site of OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE, recognized as one of the global treasures, is a shared responsibility of this country’s institutions.
In light of all the above and considering international obligations and serious warnings issued by the Committee, we find Minister Radunović’s statement, questioning the importance of preserving the UNESCO World Heritage status and proposing a referendum on whether to retain it, extremely irresponsible, inappropriate, and contrary to the public interest.
We remind that the UNESCO World Heritage status is by no means an obstacle, but rather an international recognition of the exceptional universal value of the Kotor and Boka Bay area, as well as an opportunity for its preservation and sustainable development. This status primarily ensures the protection of this significant resource, but also brings prestige, visibility, and tourism recognition, which translates into tangible economic benefits. There are numerous examples of cities and regions that have, through wise use of the UNESCO status, enhanced local development without environmental degradation.
Questions of heritage preservation cannot be decided through ad hoc referendums, but through systematic governance and participatory public dialogue involving experts and citizen stakeholders. Instead of creating a conflict of “development vs. UNESCO,” what is needed is institutional responsibility and a serious public debate on models of sustainable management, planning, and protection within the framework of existing international obligations.
The minister reduces public interest to the concept of “freedom to build,” ignoring citizens’ right to quality space, cultural identity, heritage preservation, and communal well‑being. Rescinding UNESCO status would mean letting market logic alone dictate spatial planning, neglecting social, cultural, and ecological aspects. Also, this is the direct call for violating Montenegro’s Constitution, which states in Article 9 that ratified international treaties take precedence over national law.
Montenegro’s tourism is founded on natural and cultural assets. Losing UNESCO status would cause long-term economic harm – eroding trust, foreign investment, and interest from international partners. Overdevelopment may bring short-term gains to few, but it irreversibly damages cultural resources – especially in tourism, culture, and service sectors.
A loss of World Heritage status would tarnish Montenegro’s global reputation. Kotor could become one of the rare global examples of a site losing UNESCO designation due to neglect, an outcome with far-reaching consequences for Montenegro’s image as a country aspiring to EU membership and responsible civil society.
For all the above reasons:
- we demand the dismissal of Minister Slaven Radunović, as we believe that individuals who clearly lack understanding of the values of the heritage we possess, and who hold views that directly threaten that heritage, the space, and the public interest of the citizens of Montenegro, should not lead the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property;
- we call on the Government of Montenegro to clearly and unequivocally affirm the importance of preserving the UNESCO status of the Natural and Cultural-Historical Region of Kotor and to urgently take the necessary steps to implement the decisions of the World Heritage Committee;
- we expect institutions and authorities, at both the local and national levels, to seriously acknowledge the alarming state of the Natural and Cultural-Historical Region of Kotor, a situation caused solely by their inaction, and to urgently and responsibly begin resolving the problems if we are to avoid being placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
It is high time for the authorities to stop repeating the mantra that construction equals development – this logic has already led to the loss of value in numerous areas across Montenegro. True development is not reflected in the number of new buildings, but in the improvement of quality of life, the preservation of cultural heritage, the strengthening of communities, and the sustainable management of natural and cultural resources. Unfortunately, many parts of Montenegro have already lost their value precisely due to uncontrolled and inadequate construction, and poorly designed structures built on the foundations of poor planning.
We are receiving warnings from experts and the international community that the Outstanding Universal Value of the Kotor Area is being destroyed. It is high time for Montenegro, as a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, to respond in a mature and responsible manner, as the preservation of world heritage is an obligation we owe to the heritage we have inherited, to the citizens of Montenegro, and to all of humanity.
EXPEDITIO – Centre for Sustainable Spatial Development
Friends of Boka Heritage Society
Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN‑CG)
NGO Green Home
Centre for Protection and Research of Birds (CZIP)
Biciklo.me
Dr. Martin Schneider‑Jacoby Association (MSJA)
NGO Montenegrin Society of Ecologists
NGO EnvPro NGO
Fidelity Consulting