From Commitments to Impact: Accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals in BiH
The fifth SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has officially opened, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. This year’s theme, “From Commitments to Impact: Accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” focuses on turning strategic commitments into tangible results that improve lives, strengthen communities, and protect the planet.
The opening ceremony, co-hosted with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, gathered representatives of institutions, local governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, and international partners. The event emphasized how cooperation, innovation, and local action are driving progress across all dimensions of sustainable development – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.
H.E. Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscored that achieving the SDGs requires joint engagement across the entire country.
“This week’s activities are being organised across the entire country, in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Prijedor, Konjic, Bijeljina, Goražde and other cities, engaging institutions, local communities, the private sector and academia. By working together to advance the 2030 Agenda, we are strengthening cooperation, inclusion and progress for all citizens,” said Minister Konaković.
H.E. Helena Lagerlöf, Ambassador of Sweden to Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted Sweden’s long-standing partnership with BiH and the alignment between the SDGs and the EU accession process.
“The 2030 Agenda and EU integration share the same purpose, to ensure inclusive growth, strong institutions, and a sustainable future. Sweden continues to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in this journey, helping to build partnerships that turn sustainable development from vision to action,” said Ambassador Lagerlöf.
Arnhild Spence, UN Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, speaking on behalf of the United Nations Country Team, emphasized the importance of collaboration and local ownership.
“The SDGs provide a shared blueprint for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. Bosnia and Herzegovina has demonstrated that progress happens when local leaders, institutions, and communities take ownership of that vision. Together with our partners, the UN will continue supporting efforts to accelerate results and ensure no one is left behind,” said Spence.
The opening event also featured a keynote presentation by Ivan Radić, Mayor of Osijek (Croatia), on planning and implementing sustainability at the local level, and a panel discussion on “From Strategic Frameworks to Tangible Results”, which explored BiH’s progress in SDG localization and the role of institutions, the private sector, and civil society in translating the 2030 Agenda into measurable outcomes.
The 2025 SDG Week will be held from 20 to 24 October, featuring over 25 events across Bosnia and Herzegovina, including dialogues, conferences, exhibitions, and youth-led initiatives. The discussions will focus on inclusive growth, social cohesion, gender equality, green transition, and digital innovation, all aimed at accelerating progress toward the 2030 Agenda.
SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina provides a platform for meetings, consultations, and discussions aimed at promoting the SDGs in the country. It serves as a United Nations instrument to support the SDG Council in BiH in raising awareness and engaging key audiences in conversations about success stories, new trends, and lessons learned that drive the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in BiH.
The organization of SDG Week in Bosnia and Herzegovina is supported through the programme “Translating the SDG Framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina into Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (SDG2BiH),” funded by Sweden and implemented by UNDP in partnership with UNICEF and UN Women, as part of the United Nations’ overall support to the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in coordination with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in BiH.
The media and the public are invited to follow the events of the SDG Week and take part in discussions that will shape the sustainable future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
