Montenegro

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are now in worldwide use by governments as a means of gathering and integrating spatial information from a wide variety of sources and generating the information needed for critical decision making at both the national and local levels.

A concise GIS would be invaluable to the development of Montenegro, particularly in the areas of economic development, spatial planning, forestry, tourism and agriculture. By introducing GIS the government would improve transparency in the management of natural resources and all other sectors utilizing the technology.

As funding for the GIS project comes to a close in March 2009, Montenegro is on the verge of building a fully functional GIS but more resources will be required to complete what was started with the project.

UNDP has provided the government with hardware and software to build a national GIS and trained more than 60 people from over 20 environmental institutions covering all municipalities to use the technology. Unfortunately, none of those who have been trained to use the technology are being properly utilized as of yet.

The importance of GIS to the development of Montenegro cannot be underestimated and renewing the effort to build a comprehensive one should be a priority.