In September 2015 Bosnia and Herzegovina, together with 192 United Nations Member States, committed to implement Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development (Agenda 2030), which consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets. The Agenda 2030 Document emphasizes the following:

„The 2030 Agenda is a plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen universal peace in larger freedom. All countries and all stakeholders acting in collaborative partnership will implement this plan. We are resolved to free human race from tyranny, poverty and destitution, and want to heal and secure our planet.”

The sustainable development goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for the whole world. They address the global challenges faced by the whole world, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice. Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals are based on three crucial principles:

1. Universality, which implies a commitment and readiness of all countries to implement them, respecting their internal organization and the level of development which contribute to the comprehensive effort for sustainable development in all contexts and times;
2. Integration of all sustainable development aspects, meaning more equal economic growth by protecting environment and natural resources, and creating more equitable society and reducing inequality;
3. The “Leave no one behind” principle, which seeks to eliminate multidimensional causes of poverty and inequality as well as discrimination in all forms. Introducing this principle in practice requires mechanisms for management and responsibility at all levels, from the local to the international level, in order to ensure implementation of measures for ensuring equality.

The governments at all levels in BiH recognize the potential of the implementation of Agenda 2030 as an opportunity for improvement of social, economic and environmental aspects of life within the country, and for substantial enhancing regional cooperation. Therefore, the governments at all levels are committed to jointly achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, in compliance with their constitutional competencies and international principles and standards of human rights.

Agenda 2030 is a driver of change for BiH in many ways. The selection of the moment and its universal character offer a unique opportunity for a holistic approach to development, as well as an opportunity for the governments at all levels to work together, learn from each other and to establish strong and open partnerships.

Sustainable development is also at the core of the policies of the European Union (EU) and its member states, and accession of BiH to the EU is an overarching priority for BiH. Based on BiH’s candidate country status for accession to the EU, the European Council resolved to commence accession negotiations with BiH upon fulfilling the required criteria for membership. These criteria focus on stability of institutions, democracy, human rights, respect for and protection of minorities, market economy, and implementation capacity of membership obligations. The SDGs are a framework which seeks to bring about the same results, taking into account economic, social, and ecological aspects of development.

The SDGs Framework in BiH is at the core of Agenda 2030 for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The framework responds to the existing and new challenges through defining broader development pathways, through which the governments at all levels and the society in BiH strive to contribute to achieve sustainable development. At the time being, it is the only development document adopted at all levels of government in BiH.