The United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) is the main inter-agency mechanism in country for inter-agency coordination, coherence and decision-making. It is led by the Resident Coordinator and composed of the representatives of the UN Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG) entities that are signatory to the 2021-2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and carry out operational activities for sustainable development and implementation of the UNSDCF in BiH. 

UNCT coordinates its work closely with the entities that are not UNSDCF signatories, including the Bretton Woods institutions, IFAD, OCHA, UNDSS, UNIC, UN Peace and Political entities, in order to maximize the impact of the 2021-2025 UNSDCF implementation.

Inauguration of Mostar's Old Bridge
Caption: Inauguration of the Old Bridge ('Stari Most') in Mostar, southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, with UNESCO support
Photo: © UNESCO BiH

Milestones

1

Bosnia and Herzegovina became a United Nations Member State on 22 May 1992. Since then, Bosnia and Herzegovina held mandates in UN Security Council, Human Rights Council and UN Peacebuilding Commission, and continues to contribute to UN Peacekeeping missions across the world. In 2019, Bosnia and Herzegovina presented its first Voluntary National Review for the Agenda2030 and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

2

The BiH Council of Ministers officially adopted the “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Framework in BiH” on 8 March 2021. Bosnia and Herzegovina has recognized the importance of SDGs as an opportunity to significantly improve social, economic and environmental aspects of life within the country and to enhance regional cooperation. 

3

The work of the United Nations in BiH is guided by the comprehensive 2021-2025 UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF),  endorsed by the BiH Council of Ministers in December 2020, and officially signed on 20 May 2021.

4

The 2021- 2025 UNSDCF outlines 4 strategic priorities for joint work by 2025: Sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth; Quality, accessible and inclusive education, health and social protection; People centered governance and rule of law; Citizen and community engagement for social cohesion. 

5

BiH is an official Delivering as One (DaO) country.  In line with the DaO status, the Cooperation Framework is operationalized through four biennial Joint UN Work Plans, whose implementation is monitored by the joint BiH – UN Steering Committee.

6

The 2021-2025 Cooperation Framework builds on the successes of the past BiH - UN cooperation and it represents a joint commitment to work in close partnership for results that will help all people in BiH to live longer, healthier and more prosperous and secure lives.

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

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