AGP Executive Report

Education Tech Watch: The OECD’s PISA 2025 results show a broad skills slump: reading scores fell 28 points since 2015 and math 22, with 1 in 5 students now low performers across science, math and reading—an alarm bell for the “AI age” where critical reading matters most. Montenegro Angle: A separate report notes Montenegro is among countries seeing big shifts in PISA between 2022 and 2025, while Portugal’s PM says education quality and rigour have declined and points to measures like limiting mobile phones in schools. AI & Courts: In a US gas-explosion case, an expert witness reportedly used ChatGPT to draft most of an expert report, raising new concerns about how AI-generated reasoning could reshape litigation discovery. Digital Finance in the Region: Albania’s branchless Jet Bank is positioning for EU integration as Brussels rewrites payments rules and pushes Digital Identity Wallets—aiming for smoother euro cross-border transactions. Western Balkans Security & Water: Analysis warns that water diversion plans and unilateral dam talk could turn transboundary rivers into geopolitical flashpoints, arguing for shared data and joint impact assessments. Cyber/Infrastructure: Montenegro and the wider region appear in a study estimating Europe’s illegal online gambling market at €12B in 2025, including Serbia and Montenegro in the black-market picture.

Education & Skills: The OECD’s PISA 2025 results show reading and maths falling to record lows across OECD countries, with average reading down 28 points since 2015 and maths down 22, and one in five 15-year-olds now performing at low levels in science, maths and reading. Local Education Policy: Portugal’s prime minister Luís Montenegro says education has “lost quality” and points to PISA declines, citing steps like stricter mobile-phone rules in schools, curriculum changes, and more focus on teacher recognition and school refurbishment. Digital Finance in the Region: Albania’s first branchless digital bank, Jet Bank, is positioning for deeper EU integration as Brussels rewrites payments rules and pushes digital identity wallets, with SEPA cross-border euro payments planned as the country aligns with European standards. Cybersecurity & AI Governance: Microsoft says its Secure Future Initiative is improving security culture after major hacks, while a separate report highlights new legal risks as expert witnesses use ChatGPT to draft opinions—raising questions about disclosure and how AI-written material should be handled in court. Water & Security in the Balkans: Analysis argues transboundary rivers are becoming geopolitical assets, warning against unilateral water diversions and calling for a regional “water pact” with shared data and joint impact assessments. Montenegro in Focus: Montenegro’s president Jakov Milatović is on a state visit to Mongolia, with both sides signing a joint declaration to expand cooperation in trade, education, science, and climate. Online Gambling: A study estimates Europe’s illegal online gambling market hit about €12bn in 2025, driven by regulatory friction and state monopolies.

Education & Migration: New PISA results suggest a rare reversal in the UK: first- and second-generation migrant students score slightly higher than native peers, placing Britain among European countries where migrant-background students no longer trail others. Education Policy: Portugal’s prime minister says education has lost “quality and rigour” as PISA scores keep sliding, with measures including stricter school phone rules and curriculum changes. AI & Courts: A case involving a ChatGPT-written expert report highlights new litigation risks, with AI chat logs turning into major discovery material. Cybersecurity: Microsoft’s security overhaul is framed as a response to major hacks, aiming to rebuild internal security culture after repeated breaches. Digital Finance (Albania): Albania’s branchless Jet Bank is positioning for EU integration as Brussels rewrites payments rules and pushes digital identity wallets. Science Cooperation (Adriatic): GFCM set up a new technical unit in Split to strengthen sustainable fisheries science across the Adriatic, including Montenegro. Tech & Society (PISA): OECD reports a broad decline in reading and maths skills worldwide, with more teens struggling to evaluate information—an issue that hits the AI age hardest. Montenegro Diplomacy: President Jakov Milatović’s state visit to Mongolia marks 20 years of ties, with agreements spanning trade, science, education, and climate cooperation.

Education & Skills Watch: New PISA 2025 results show a broad decline in reading and maths across OECD countries, with 15-year-olds hitting the weakest levels in a quarter-century and one in five now a low performer in science, maths and reading—an alarm bell for the AI-era skill set. Policy Response in the Region: Portugal’s PM Luís Montenegro admitted education quality and rigour have slipped, pointing to PISA drops and announcing measures like stricter phone use in schools, curriculum changes, and more support for teachers. Digital Finance Integration: Albania’s branchless Jet Bank is positioning for deeper EU market access as Brussels rewrites payment rules and pushes digital identity wallets, with SEPA cross-border euro payments on the horizon. Cybersecurity & Trust: Microsoft says its Secure Future Initiative is improving security culture after major hacks, as it tries to rebuild confidence in how software is developed and protected. AI in Courts: A case involving ChatGPT use by an expert witness highlights new litigation risks and the need for clearer rules on AI recordkeeping and verification. Water as Tech & Security: A Balkans-focused analysis frames transboundary water management as a growing geopolitical issue, linking reservoirs, river diversions, and regional cooperation. Montenegro Abroad: Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović is on a state visit to Mongolia, marking 20 years of ties and signing cooperation documents spanning trade, education, science and climate. Adriatic Science for Fisheries: The GFCM set up a new Adriatic Sea technical unit to strengthen scientific cooperation and sustainable fisheries management across Montenegro and neighbors. Online Harm: UNICEF-backed research reports high rates of tech-facilitated sexual abuse among adolescents, including Montenegro in a cross-country comparison.

AI in courtrooms: A US gas-explosion case shows how ChatGPT use by an expert witness can spill into discovery, with opponents reportedly getting hundreds of pages of chat logs and the expert admitting most of the report was AI-written. Education data shock: OECD’s PISA 2025 reports steep declines in reading and maths across OECD countries, with more teens falling below basic skills—an issue that hits the “AI age” hardest because it affects critical thinking and source evaluation. Digital child safety: UNICEF warns that tens of millions of teens worldwide face technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse, with social platforms and gaming featuring heavily. Montenegro in the science network: GFCM and FAO-backed efforts add a new Adriatic Sea technical unit to strengthen science-based fisheries management, including Montenegro. Connectivity for the Western Balkans: 4iG Group and SpaceX plan Starlink Mobile service in Hungary and Albania, aiming to boost resilient satellite-to-mobile coverage in hard-to-reach areas. Regional tech-policy: A study flags Europe’s illegal online gambling market as rapidly expanding, including Serbia and Montenegro, tied to regulatory friction. Diplomacy & science ties: Montenegro’s president visits Mongolia, with agreements covering trade, education, science, and climate cooperation.

Bilateral Tech & Science Ties: Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović is in Mongolia for a state visit (Sept. 8–10) to mark 20 years of diplomatic relations, with talks covering trade, investment, education, science, media, climate and environmental protection, plus a Joint Declaration and cooperation documents. Education Skills Alarm (PISA 2025): The OECD’s latest PISA results show a broad slide in reading and maths to record lows, with 1 in 5 students now low performers across science, maths and reading—raising fresh concerns about learning quality in the AI era. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse, with social platforms driving most cases and higher risks for mental harm. Adriatic Fisheries Science: The GFCM has launched a new technical unit in Split to strengthen scientific cooperation and sustainable fisheries management across Adriatic partners including Montenegro. Connectivity in the Western Balkans: 4iG Group and SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile plan to expand satellite-to-mobile connectivity in Hungary and the Western Balkans, aiming to improve coverage in hard-to-reach areas. Online Gambling Crackdown Gap: A Euromat-commissioned study estimates Europe’s illegal online gambling market hit €12B in 2025, including Serbia and Montenegro, driven by regulation friction and limited legal choice.

Education Watch: The OECD’s PISA 2025 results show a broad skills slump: average reading and maths performance hit the lowest levels since testing began, with one in five 15-year-olds now low performers across science, maths and reading—raising alarms about critical thinking in the AI age. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with Montenegro included among surveyed European countries. Science for Fisheries: The GFCM set up a new Adriatic Sea technical unit in Split to strengthen science-based cooperation and sustainable fisheries management across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia. Connectivity in the Region: 4iG Group and SpaceX signed agreements for Starlink Mobile in Hungary and the Western Balkans, plus sovereign satellite communications support—aimed at improving coverage where terrestrial networks struggle. Diplomacy & Research Links: Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović is on a state visit to Mongolia for talks and new cooperation deals spanning trade, education, science and climate.

Education Crisis: The OECD’s PISA 2025 results show a broad, continued slide in core skills, with OECD averages hitting the lowest ever in reading and maths; reading fell 28 points since 2015 and maths 22, and one in five 15-year-olds is now a low performer across science, maths and reading. Montenegro Link: The OECD data also flags Montenegro among countries showing notable change between 2022 and 2025, putting local education outcomes in the spotlight. Digital Safety: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with social media platforms driving most cases. Science & Policy in the Region: The GFCM set up a new Adriatic Sea technical unit in Split to strengthen science-based, sustainable fisheries cooperation that includes Montenegro. Connectivity Tech: 4iG Group and SpaceX signed agreements to bring Starlink Mobile satellite-to-phone connectivity to Hungary and Albania, with Montenegro in the Western Balkans rollout plan. Diplomacy & Research Ties: Montenegro’s President Jakov Milatović is on a state visit to Mongolia for talks and new cooperation agreements spanning trade, education, science and climate.

Adriatic Fisheries Science: The UN’s GFCM, hosted in Split, launched a new Adriatic Sea technical unit to boost science-based, sustainable fishing cooperation among Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, and Slovenia. Education Tech & Skills: New OECD PISA 2025 results show a broad slide in reading, maths, and science skills worldwide, with “hasty readers” rising and declines linked to the AI-era need for critical thinking. Montenegro in the Data: Montenegro is named among countries showing big improvement in PISA 2025 versus 2022, even as the global trend worsens. Digital Safety: UNICEF reports about 20 million children (12–17) across 21 countries experienced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse, with Montenegro included in the study sample. Connectivity in the Western Balkans: 4iG and SpaceX signed agreements to bring Starlink Mobile satellite-to-phone connectivity to Hungary and Albania, aiming to strengthen coverage in hard-to-reach areas. Bilateral Science Links: Montenegro’s president is on a state visit to Mongolia, with talks covering trade, education, science, and climate cooperation.

Education & AI-era literacy: OECD’s PISA 2025 shows a continued slide in reading, maths and science, with 15-year-olds hitting the weakest levels since testing began and “hasty readers” rising sharply—an alarm for critical thinking in a world flooded with information. UNICEF child safety online: UNICEF estimates 20 million children (12–17) across 21 countries faced tech-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse; nearly 60% of recorded cases were on social media, and Montenegro is flagged for social-media-heavy reporting. Montenegro–Mongolia ties: President Jakov Milatović’s state visit to Mongolia (marking 20 years of diplomatic relations) includes talks and a Joint Declaration covering trade, education, science, culture and climate cooperation. Satellite connectivity for the Western Balkans: 4iG and SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile deal aims to expand direct-to-phone satellite coverage in Hungary and the Western Balkans, with rollout tied to network readiness. Illegal gambling pressure: A Euromat-commissioned study says Europe’s illegal online gambling market tripled to about €12B in 2025, with Montenegro and Serbia included in the analysis. Tech policy & governance: Montenegro appears in OECD’s list of countries with big PISA shifts, while UNICEF’s findings underline the need for stronger platform protections and reporting pathways.

Education & Skills: PISA 2025 shows a sharp drop across OECD reading and math, with reading down 28 points since 2015 and more “hasty readers” who rush through texts and miss key meaning. Montenegro Diplomacy & Science Links: President Jakov Milatović is in Mongolia for a state visit marking 20 years of ties, with talks on trade, investment, education, science, climate and environmental protection, plus a Joint Declaration and cooperation documents. Child Safety Online: UNICEF reports about 20 million children (ages 12–17) across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with nearly 60% of cases tied to social media. Connectivity Tech: 4iG Group and SpaceX signed agreements to bring Starlink Mobile to Hungary and Albania and expand sovereign satellite communications capabilities in Europe. Work & Productivity: An ILO comparison highlights labor productivity as a Western Balkan challenge, placing Montenegro highest in the region and Albania lowest.

Digital Safety Crisis: UNICEF estimates 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries suffered technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year, with nearly 60% of recorded cases happening on social media and Montenegro seeing over 80% of reported cases tied to those platforms. Connectivity & Space Tech: 4iG Group and SpaceX signed agreements to bring Starlink Mobile to Hungary and the Western Balkans, plus “Sovereign Solutions” for secure, national satellite communications capacity. Regional Science & Environment: A new Adriatic Sea fisheries unit was inaugurated in Split to strengthen science-based, sustainable fisheries management across shared waters. Montenegro Diplomacy: President Jakov Milatović will visit Mongolia (Sept. 8–10) for talks on trade, investment, education, science, climate, and environmental cooperation. Research & Health: A study reports microscopic peptide droplets delivering gene-silencing molecules reduced hard-to-treat colorectal tumor growth by about 67% in mice. Work & Productivity: ILO data highlights labor productivity gaps across the Western Balkans, with Montenegro leading in the latest comparable figures.

Digital Safety Crisis: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a year, with nearly 60% of recorded cases happening on social media and underreporting leaving fewer than 1% reaching authorities. Satellite Connectivity for the Balkans: 4iG Group and SpaceX signed agreements to launch Starlink Mobile in Hungary and Albania, plus a “Sovereign Solutions” track for secure, national-level satellite communications. Montenegro Diplomacy & Science Links: President Jakov Milatović will visit Mongolia (Sept 8–10) for talks on trade, investment, education, science, tourism, and climate/environment cooperation. Marine Science in the Region: A new Adriatic Sea fisheries science unit was inaugurated in Split to strengthen science-based fisheries management across shared waters. Local Tech Policy Watch: A study warns fake Webometrics university rankings are targeting Global South institutions, using tactics that can hide scams from European academia.

UNICEF Child Safety: UNICEF says about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries experienced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a year, with nearly 60% of recorded cases happening on mainstream social media and Montenegro seeing over 80% of reported cases tied to social platforms. Montenegro Diplomacy: President Jakov Milatović will visit Mongolia from Sept. 8–10, the first state-level visit by a Montenegrin head of state there, with talks expected to cover trade, investment, education, science, tourism, and climate/environment cooperation. Health Tech Research: NTU Singapore researchers report microscopic peptide droplets carrying gene-silencing molecules that reduced hard-to-treat colorectal tumor growth by about 67% in mice, pointing to a potentially lower-cost siRNA approach. Space & Telecom in the Region: 4iG and SpaceX signed agreements to bring Starlink Mobile connectivity to Hungary and the Western Balkans and to develop “Sovereign Solutions” for independent satellite communications. Marine Science: A new Adriatic Sea fisheries unit was inaugurated in Split to strengthen science-based fisheries management across Adriatic countries.

Digital Safety Watch: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation in a year, with nearly 60% of cases happening on social media and less than 1% reaching authorities; Montenegro is flagged for over 80% of reported cases involving social platforms. Space & Telecom: Hungary’s 4iG and SpaceX signed agreements for Starlink Mobile across Hungary and the Western Balkans plus “Sovereign Solutions” for independent satellite communications. Energy & Tech Policy: 4iG also targets regional energy investment, including a letter of intent with X-Energy to explore deploying Xe-100 SMR nuclear tech in Central and Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans. Science & Health: NTU researchers report microscopic peptide droplets delivering gene-silencing molecules that cut hard-to-treat colorectal tumor growth by about 67% in mice. Local Environment: Montenegro is mentioned in a wider context of biodiversity risks from greenlighting solar plants. Diplomacy: Montenegro President Jakov Milatović will visit Mongolia (Sept 8–10) to expand cooperation including science and education.

Digital Safety in Montenegro: UNICEF reports about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in a year, with nearly 60% of cases happening on mainstream social media; in Montenegro, over 80% of reported cases involved social platforms, while fewer than 1% reached authorities. Space & Connectivity in the Western Balkans: 4iG and SpaceX signed agreements for Starlink Mobile and “Sovereign Solutions,” aiming to strengthen mobile satellite connectivity in Hungary and the Western Balkans and build more independent satellite communications. Health Tech Research: NTU Singapore researchers report microscopic peptide droplets delivering gene-silencing siRNA that cut hard-to-treat colorectal tumor growth by ~67% in mice, pointing to cheaper alternatives to some antibody therapies. Science-Based Fisheries: A new Adriatic Sea fisheries unit was inaugurated in Split under FAO’s GFCM to boost regional, science-led fisheries management. Energy & Industry: Hungary’s 4iG targets regional energy expansion in CEE and the Western Balkans, including a letter of intent with X-Energy on deploying Xe-100 SMR nuclear tech.