We live in a world where climate change and viruses pay no heed to borders or boundaries. Complex, interconnected crises are the new normal. Simply reacting to crisis after crisis only leads to short-term fixes. Moving ahead and out of crisis mode is possible with robust and cumulative responses that build long-term, sustainable and inclusive ways forward. The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have shown how fragile human progress can be, and both have re-emphasized the importance of the SDGs as the blueprint for a liveable and just future for everybody.
Crisis can be turned into opportunity for a concerted push towards a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.
The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs must remain our global compass.
To tackle the interconnected risks we face now in BIH, the country’s institutions, businesses and people need to make smart choices that will pave the way for impactful implementation of the sustainable agenda in the country while increasing resilience, improving competitiveness and security of all. With seven years left until 2030, the focus of the SDG Week 2022 is on accelerating implementation.
SDG week in BiH aims to be a carbon positive event and offset the total CO2 footprint of all events planned by purchasing trees on TvojCO2.ba after the event. To that end, UN agencies organizing events in the framework of the SDG Week in BiH 2022 planted trees for each confirmed participant (investing more to make each event CO2-positive), which will also offset the CO2 emissions produced during the preparation and holding of the event.
The SDG Week in BiH 2022 took place in the week of 7–14 October 2022.
Friday, 7 October 2022
Event 1: Conference “Towards sustainable development financing” (supported by Joint SDG Fund)
11:00h-15:00h, Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The conference aimed at presenting the SDG Financing Roadmap for BIH and at featuring good practices and models for sustainable development financing. In particular, the event focused on showcasing successful practices and results from countries that established innovative financing instruments in the areas of energy, innovation and green economy. The event promoted the UN Women’s work on optimisation of public spending through gender responsive budgeting (GRB) and on SDG Financing through panel discussion.
The conference was organized within the framework of Joint UN Programme “Towards the SDG Financing Ecosystem in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, which was financed by the Joint SDG Fund.
Saturday, 8 October 2022
Event 2: Tree planting with Mibral
Planting trees in the Sarajevo area (mountain Igman) was organized by Mibral, a private construction company based in Sarajevo. The event engaged the SDG Council and other prominent members of governments and international community
Monday, 10 October 2022
Event 3: Round table discussion on Global Compact for Migration (GCM)
11:00h-17:00h, Hotel Hills Sarajevo
The 2030 Agenda recognizes migration as a core development consideration and marks the first-time migration integrated explicitly into the global development agenda. The 2030 Agenda is relevant to all mobile populations regardless of whether internal or cross border, displaced or not: “goals and targets will be met for all nations and peoples and all segments of society.” The 2030 Agenda recognizes migrant women, men and children as a vulnerable group to be protected, and as agents of development.
The event aimed to provide the overview of GCM as the first inter-governmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the United Nations, covering all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Focus was on reintroducing GCM to the relevant stakeholders, including the potential engagement entry points for the stakeholders, the review process including the first International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), BiH participation at this event, while presenting successes, challenges and innovative approaches on Global Compact for Migration implementation in practice to incite the discussion among stakeholders in BiH. This event was framed around the results of the first International Migration Review Forum held in May in New York grouping the discussion around 3 thematic areas: Inclusion and Regular Pathways, Fight discrimination, Labor migration and Migrant workers’ rights. Participants in the round table were key civic society stakeholders.
Tuesday, 11 October 2022
Event 4: Promotion of SDGs with local governments in Sarajevo region
10:00h-13:00h, Sarajevo City Hall
SDG Council in BiH organizes direct communication with all local governments (LGs) in the country aiming to discuss, promote and make practical steps in localisation of the principles agreed in the SDG Framework in BIH. During the SDG Week, the SDG Council organized a session in cooperation with LGs in Sarajevo region to discuss the process of implementation of Agenda 2030, priorities and challenges in Sarajevo region.
Independent event under the framework of the SDG Week organized by the SDG Council with support of the UN and UNDP.
Event 5: Contribution of volunteerism to advancing SDGs at local level
10:00h-12:00h, Tershouse, Kolodvorska 5, Sarajevo
UNDP ReLOaD project and UN Volunteers jointly organized one-day workshops for community volunteers, members and youth representatives of CSOs engaging volunteers for their activities. Focus of the events was the discussion on volunteering for SDGs in local communities and advantages of such engagement for youth and communities. Discussion enhanced the understanding of SDGs, how SDGs translate to local communities, how to volunteer for SDGs, and how individuals/organizations/governance can inspire others to get informed, raise awareness, and engage. The activity was organized in one of the partner local governments where ReLOaD project was implemented.
Wednesday, 12 October 2022
Event 6: Advancing social protection in BiH, thematic discussion with institutional partners and donors
10:30h-13:00h, Hotel Evropa, Sarajevo
The event brought together representatives of governments and development partners to instigate a policy dialogue on social protection reforms in the context of growing uncertainties. It provided for: (i) Review of the state of play and recommendations for action in the sector; (ii) Presenting of the UN position paper on social protection in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for BIH 2021-2025; (iii) Review of development partners’ programmes and plans; and (iv) Exchange on opportunities for jointly accelerating social protection reforms in line with the SDG Framework in BIH.
Event 7: SDG 4 Advancement through Digital Learning and Transformation
11:00h-13:10h, Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina
This event was a follow-up to the completion of the BiH country-wide consultations on TES, as well as the country’s participation at the Pre-Summit and the UN Global Summit on Transforming Education. The objective of the event was to share information with a wide range of educational stakeholders (including emerging actors such as private sector, CSOs, development partners etc.) on BiH consultations outcomes (TES Report and Statement of Commitment to Transforming Education in BiH) to mobilize support to the transformation of education that fits the needs of every child and young person in inclusive and equitable way. Moreover, the event served as a platform to communicate to relevant stakeholders the actions, initiatives, good practices and results achieved so far in the digital transformation of education in BiH.
Thursday, 13 October 2022
Event 8: Sendai Framework mid-term review in Bosnia and Herzegovina – accomplishments & way forward
11:00h-12:30h, Hotel Novotel Bristol, Fra Filipa Lastrića 2, Sarajevo
On the occasion of marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR Day) with the aim to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction, on 13 October 2022, the roundtable “Sendai Framework mid-term review in Bosnia and Herzegovina – accomplishments and way forward” was held.
The round table involved approximately 50 professionals involved in the Joint programme “Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina“ that is supported and financed by the Government of Switzerland and the United Nations (UN), relevant entity ministries, civil protection administrations, and BiH Ministry of Security.
The Mid-Term Review of Sendai Framework is designed to assist countries in making risk-informed and prevention-oriented policy decisions to mobilize and direct the necessary means of implementation and partnerships, and support the identification of solutions and best practices.
Event 9: Measuring inequalities and discrimination
11:00h-12:30h, Webinar
OHCHR organized a workshop with the SDG Council, the MHRR, the Human Rights Ombudsmen, the Statistical Institutes and CSOs on the importance of Human Rights Indicators in planning and strategic processes. This event also aimed to encourage meaningful participation of the civil society in the preparation of key documents including the VNR.
Event 10: Training of City Administration Employees on SDGs and coordinated approach + presentation of the SDGs to citizens though virtual reality glasses
The City of Bijeljina proposed organizing two events:
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- Training of employees of the City Administration to ensure a more efficient and coordinated approach in achieving the SDGs. The focus was on the need to ensure continuous dialogue and partnership with different stakeholders in activities that would result in improved quality of life of citizens.
- Use the VR to promote the SDGs and showcase virtual travel to 2030.
The activities were organized by the Department for Local Economic Development and European Integration of the City of Bijeljina.
Event 11: SDG Business Mentor sessions, thematic workshops with SDG Business Mentors
Workshops led by SDG Business Mentors in the field of creation of decent jobs and resources and environment were held.
Multiple winners of the SDG Business Pioneers Award in thematic field “People” shared insights on their vision of creation of decent jobs, talent retention and why they see SDGs as important pillars in their development.
Independent event under the framework of the SDG Week organized by the Ministry of Programming
Event 12: SDG Business Mentor sessions, thematic workshops with SDG Business Mentors
Workshops led by SDG Business Mentors in the field of creation of decent jobs and resources and environment were held.
Events organized under the framework of the SDG Week by Heidelberg Cement with support of UNDP
Friday, 14 October 2022
Event 13: Circular futures
10:00h-15:00h, National museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Future Talks:” are topical conversations curated by the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which aim to present global innovative ideas and bold visions that can help solve challenges, shift mindsets and contribute to a better tomorrow for our planet.
“Future Talks: Circular Future(s) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Beyond” offered the space to re-imagine the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina through circularity, guided by the vision set by the draft Circular Economy Roadmap for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conversation featured renowned speakers from the entire European continent, exciting case studies on circular economy transition and inspired discussion on the role of the society, economy and government in this transition. The event was intended to spark imagination on possible futures sprouting from today’s visions of a more just and sustainable, healthier and greener economy, showcasing that the circular business models are efficient and applicable also in the developing world.
Event 14: Thematic Discussion on Comprehensive Sexuality Education among Youth (Banja Luka session)
13:00h-15:00h, Youth Center, Đure Daničića 1, Banja Luka
UNFPA BiH organized a thematic discussion on Comprehensive Sexuality Education among youth leveraging the longstanding collaboration with Banja Luka Youth Center. 2022 was a year in which UNFPA BiH is working closely with the Ministry of Education of both entities for the revision of the Healthy Lifestyle/CSE curriculum and moving forward on its implementation. For this reason, it was important to have youth engagement at this stage to ensure their active participation in the development process, as UNFPA strives to ensure “nothing for youth without youth”. The thematic discussion aimed at highlighting the needs and requests of youth and ensuring their inclusion in the process of curriculum revision and CSE implementation, and it also served as a platform for the Ministry of Education to reach out to youth and hear their voices.
Closing of the SDG Week
Each UN and partner institutions that actively organized activities under the SDG Week 2022 offset its CO2 footprint through purchase of trees using www.tvojCO2.ba platform. SDG Week 2022 was the first CO2 positive event held in BIH.
A number of private sector companies agreed to join the action and purchase trees. To amplify the message, the trees purchased for this purpose will be planted in the areas that suffered severe fires earlier this summer (Herzegovina).
