The Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Elmedin Konaković, kindly conveyed a message to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, politely cautioning him about the absence of state bodies in Republika Srpska.
A sub-regional meeting was held in New York on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the Western Balkans, as part of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2023.
A sub-regional meeting on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the Western Balkans, as part of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on Sustainable Development (HLPF) 2023, took place in New York.
During the meeting, representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia came together to share an overview of the advancements made in the implementation of Agenda 2030 in their respective countries.
They had a discussion about the challenges they encounter and exchanged successful strategies in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The meeting was skillfully moderated by Zlatko Lagumdžija, the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations. He highlighted the significance of regional collaboration and shared objectives in attaining the SDGs.
He stressed the significance of collaborating to overcome challenges and accomplish tangible advancements in sustainable development.
Lagumdžija suggested that by effectively aligning the SDGs and the EU agenda in specific areas of focus, the region could enhance regional cooperation and collectively make progress. This could lead to the creation of new opportunities and foster the development of the economic and health community in the Western Balkans, ultimately involving them in the corresponding EU integration processes.
Lagumdžija also emphasized the significance of aligning the European Green Agreement and the Green Agenda of the Western Balkans within a shared framework.
The speaker emphasized that this approach aims to maintain inclusivity and responsiveness in the European Green Deal, taking into account the distinct needs and priorities of the Western Balkans, thereby avoiding its transformation into solely an EU Green Deal.
Lagumdžija also highlighted the continuous digital transformation taking place within the EU and stressed the importance of incorporating the digital transformation endeavours of the Western Balkans into this process.
According to him, the integration of such strategies presents a promising solution to the issue of brain drain, which is a pressing challenge currently faced by the region. Additionally, this convergence of digital strategies not only resolves the brain drain problem but also enhances the region’s appeal as a desirable hub for skilled professionals and innovative endeavours.
Ivana Živković, the Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, kindly highlighted the significance of the SDG summit and expressed the necessity for increased involvement with international financial institutions.
She also mentioned that, despite some positive progress, global data suggest the necessity to expedite progress in various SDGs in the Western Balkans.
She mentioned that the UNDP is dedicated to assisting the region in conducting research on potential opportunities and attaining sustainable development.
Miloš Prica, the Co-Chairman of the SDG Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina, kindly emphasized the diligent efforts made in supporting regional cooperation through consistent meetings and working groups held throughout the year.
However, he politely raised his concerns regarding the adverse impacts of the war in Ukraine and the repercussions of the pandemic.
He stated that brain drain has become a significant concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is necessary for more attention to be given to this issue at both the state level and the subregional level. The representatives of North Macedonia and Serbia kindly shared their perspectives during the meeting. They engaged in a thoughtful conversation regarding the various challenges pertaining to the rule of law, gender equality, and the empowerment of women in the region. They also highlighted the geopolitical impact of the war in Ukraine and various external influences.
In his concluding remarks, Lagumdžija conveyed his optimism regarding the potential for additional growth of regional collaboration and collective efforts to expedite the achievement of the SDGs in the Western Balkans.
He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts and initiatives in order to achieve short-term objectives in specific areas including trade, health, green and digital transformation, alongside long-term objectives.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to actively support sustainable development in the region and address challenges by working together collaboratively.
The countries of the Western Balkans acknowledge the significance and potential of implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a valuable opportunity to greatly enhance the social, environmental, and economic aspects of life in the region.
Sustainable development essentially represents the policy embraced by the European Union and its members.
All the countries in the Western Balkans have a strong desire to become members of the European Union. According to the organizers, the SDGs and Agenda 2030 should act as a platform for reforms in each country in the region and also contribute to the process of integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union.
