Green transition in Bosnia and Herzegovina moves toward system-level change

At the 2nd meeting of the Steering Board of the Green Transition Portfolio, co-chaired by Arnhild Spence, United Nations Resident Coordinator in BiH, and Jelica Grujić, chief of Department of Tourism on behalf of the BiH Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, representatives of domestic authorities at state and entity levels joined partners from the United Nations system, including UNDP, UNEP, FAO, ILO, UNECE, UNODC and UN Women. The discussion also brought together key development partners, including Sweden, Switzerland, GIZ, Czech, and international financial institutions.

The Green Transition Portfolio, co-led by national authorities and the UN system, focuses on accelerating progress across four interconnected areas: decarbonisation, depollution, biodiversity and nature, and circular economy.

Participants reviewed progress achieved in 2025, including strengthened institutional coordination, new financing mechanisms, and expanded engagement with communities, academia and the private sector. At the same time, discussions highlighted the need to address persistent challenges, including fragmented systems, uneven local engagement, and the pace of policy alignment and investment.

Looking ahead, partners emphasized the importance of scaling successful approaches, strengthening coordination across institutions, and mobilizing additional financing to ensure that the green transition delivers tangible benefits for people, communities, and the economy.

The meeting reaffirmed that sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on strong partnerships and coordinated action, with institutions at all levels leading the process and international partners providing support, expertise, and financing.