Conference “Ethics and Integrity” – strengthening trust and accountability in public administration

The conference “Ethics and Integrity” was held at the Hilton Podgorica hotel, dedicated to strengthening integrity and accountability among senior officials in Montenegro’s public administration.

Opening remarks were delivered by Irena Vućić Popović, Deputy Secretary-General of the Government, Dušan Drakić, Acting Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, and Agron M. Camaj, Director of the Human Resources Administration.

The event brought together senior representatives of the executive branch to discuss topics that may seem formal at first glance, but are of essential importance for public trust and perception: conflict of interest, integrity restrictions, the handling of gifts, and other anti-corruption mechanisms. The key message was clear: strengthening integrity within the administration is not a technical issue, but a strategic one that defines citizens’ trust in institutions.

The Secretariat-General of the Government of Montenegro emphasized that ethics and integrity of public officials are the foundation of citizens’ trust in institutions and a prerequisite for successful reforms.

Integrity is the shield that preserves the credibility of institutions and ensures that citizens can trust those who lead them. It is our duty to demonstrate that decisions can be fair, that relations with people can be dignified, and that politics can serve the future rather than the past, Deputy Secretary-General Irena Vućić Popović stated.

The Secretariat-General highlighted that the fight against corruption and the strengthening of public trust are not merely technical obligations, but processes that begin with the personal example of every public administration employee.

Acting Director of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption Dušan Drakić noted that the Agency now operates in a significantly different context than before – it is recognized as a reliable partner to both citizens and institutions. Our work is grounded in professional standards, stable mechanisms, transparent procedures, and above all, partnership cooperation. Only through the joint efforts of society as a whole can we build a system where citizens’ trust is earned through actions, not words, he said.

In this context, international expert Jure Škrbec conducted a training session on modern mechanisms for preventing corruption in the public sector, presenting practical tools – from integrity plans and confidential counselling to integrity checks and monitoring of financial flows.

At the initiative of the Agency, and in line with GRECO recommendations, Škrbec prepared a comprehensive analysis of models and practices in the area of confidential counselling for senior executive officials. The analysis has been submitted to the Secretary-General of the Government and the Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Justice and Anti-Corruption, to serve as a basis for determining the most appropriate institutional framework for implementing this mechanism within Montenegro’s executive branch.

At the request of the Agency, the expert also prepared an Analysis of Models and Best Practices for Integrity Checks in the Public Sector, aimed at providing institutions with concrete guidance and facilitating the implementation process.

The Human Resources Administration underlined that ethics and integrity are the foundation of a professional, modern, and reliable public administration, and their strengthening is a strategic priority on Montenegro’s path toward EU integration.

Today’s training reaffirms that ethics and integrity are not a secondary topic, but a strategic priority of Montenegro’s executive branch. Investing in integrity – and more broadly, in the development of our human capital – is not an expense but the most valuable investment in institutional strength and public trust, Director of the Human Resources Administration Agron M. Camaj stated.

The Human Resources Administration will continue to develop a professional, transparent, and merit-based public administration through modern training programmes and capacity-building of managerial staff, ensuring readiness to meet the contemporary challenges and standards of the European Union.

The training was jointly organized by the Secretariat-General of the Government, the Human Resources Administration, and the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption.

The conference concluded with a clear message: strengthening integrity across the entire public administration is the only path toward building a system where citizens’ trust rests on deeds, not words.