United Nations Resident Coordinator in an official visit to Banja Luka

The United Nations Resident Coordinator visited Banja Luka on 1-2 February 2023 and conducted a series of productive meetings with the authorities of Republika Srpska entity, notably President Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic, Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Djokic, Minister of Finance Zora Vidovic, and the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr Alen Seranic, as well as the President of the RS National Assembly Dr Nenad Stevandic and the Deputy Presidents Mirsad Duratovic and Anja Ljubojevic. The United Nations Resident Coordinator also met with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Minister of Finance, Mr Zoran Tegeltija, as well as with youth, civil society and media representatives.

The Resident Coordinator expressed deep concern about the negative impacts of the global economic crisis on the everyday lives of citizens, especially record inflation and supply chain challenges affecting energy and food prices. She stressed that immediate social and economic reforms are required to protect vulnerable citizens, especially those who have the least and are often impacted the most by price rises. She conveyed the UN’s support to BiH at all levels to address key priorities discussed in the areas of socio-economic reform, human rights and sustaining peace, as well as inclusive economic prosperity, strengthened health, education and social protection systems, enhanced governance, and social cohesion.

These areas underpin the UN’s partnership with BiH and will guide our cooperation in the coming period to assist the country’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals so that institutions and authorities can better address the needs of citizens and strengthen trust. The UN in BiH looks forward to engaging constructively with the new authorities established at all levels of Government to move forward this important agenda for the benefit of all citizens.