Multi-stakeholder consultations are being organised in Sarajevo to promote increased understanding, discussion and multi-level planning around SDGs. The consultations are organised by the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina with expert support from the larger UN development system. The event is implemented under the SDGs Roll-out and Private Sector Engagement project funded by the Embassy of Sweden in BiH.

Participants of the event include representatives of BiH, Federation of BiH, Republika Srpska, District Brčko cantonal and municipal institutions as well as representatives of civil society, academia, private sector and international organisations. Participants will work on how to translate global SDGs into implementable action plans in BiH.

The event was opened with welcoming statements by H.E. Dr. Dragan Čović, Member of the BiH Presidency, H.E. Anders Hagelberg, Ambassador of Sweden in BiH and Sezin Sinanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator in BiH.

H.E. Anders Hagelberg, Ambassador of Sweden in BiH

“Agenda 2030 is completely compatible to BiH interests and, in many of its aspects, close to that what includes process of European integrations as our strategic commitment and aim. For BiH, this is an opportunity to show seriousness in the approach of implementation of Agenda 2030 goals, foreign policy maturity and responsibility as member of international community, as well as institutional capability to implement reforms. Today’s consultations are very important step towards the implementation of Sustainable development goals 2030“, said Dr Dragan Čović, member of the BiH Presidency.

“Agenda 2030 is a vision that brings economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability and peace together with a clear objective to leave no woman, man or child behind. Consultations organised today are an excellent opportunity to bring authorities and partners to debate how best to achieve this.” said Sezin Sinanoglu, UN Resident Coordinator in BiH.

“Sustainable Development is a necessity to ensure our common future. Therefore, the government of Sweden is dedicated to supporting the rollout of the SDGs and helping BiH shape 2030 Agenda to its local and national needs by bringing all relevant stakeholders together”, said H. E. Anders Hagelberg, Ambassador of Sweden in BiH.

Consultations are taking place on May 29th and 30th 2018.

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The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represents a transformative set of commitments, underpinned by human rights standards, for ending poverty and building shared prosperity while protecting the planet. It represents a historic confluence of different UN processes that address key development and humanitarian challenges, with strong ownership by the Member States. BiH committed to the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs in September 2015 at the UN General Assembly in New York.

SDGs, also known as the global goals, build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and recognise that fight against poverty and inequality goes hand in hand with economic growth and industrialisation, are geared towards many societal needs, including health, education, social protection, healthy environment and communities resilient to climate change.

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For more information, please contact Pavle Banjac, Communications Specialist, pavle.banjac@one.un.org