Ambassador Lagumdzija Welcomes Adoption of UNDP and UNFPA Country Programme Documents for Bosnia and Herzegovina
New York, 28 August 2025
At today’s session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the Country Programme Documents (CPDs) for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2026–2030 were formally adopted.
H.E. Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations, addressed the Board in two separate interventions, welcoming the adoption of both the UNDP and UNFPA frameworks.
In his statement on the UNDP CPD, Ambassador Lagumdžija stressed that the document is more than a planning framework – it is a roadmap for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sustainable development path, fully aligned with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the 2030 Agenda. He emphasized three priorities: inclusive green growth and a just energy transition, strengthening human capital, and building accountable institutions with strong social cohesion.
Ambassador Lagumdžija drew particular attention to the Secretary-General’s July 2025 report, “Seizing the Moment of Opportunity – Supercharging the New Era of Renewables, Efficiency and Electrification.” He underlined that Bosnia and Herzegovina sees renewables, efficiency, and electrification as the backbone of its green transformation, not only as climate imperatives but also as engines of economic modernization, social equity, and EU integration.
Calling for deeper engagement of UNDP and the wider UN system, he highlighted the importance of support in drafting new legislation, regulatory reforms, and institutional frameworks to unlock investment in renewable energy and to modernize the country’s energy sector. “This is where UNDP’s global expertise and convening power can make the decisive difference,” he stressed.
Alongside this, the adoption of the UNFPA CPD was also welcomed. In his remarks, Ambassador Lagumdžija highlighted the programme’s focus on demographic resilience, youth empowerment, gender equality, and universal access to health services. He praised UNFPA’s role in combating gender-based violence and in ensuring dignity and opportunities for women, girls, and young people across the country.
Concluding his interventions, Ambassador Lagumdžija reaffirmed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s determination to work closely with UNDP, UNFPA, UNOPS, and all international partners to ensure that these commitments are translated into tangible results for citizens. “Together, we can seize this moment of opportunity and deliver development that is just, green, and inclusive – leaving no one behind,” he stated.
STATEMENT
by
H.E. Mr. Zlatko Lagumdžija
Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations
at
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS
SECOND REGULAR SESSION 2025
CPD SESSION
Mr. President,
Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,
It is a privilege to address the Executive Board on the occasion of the presentation of the Country Programme Document for Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2026–2030.
This Country Programme Document is more than a planning tool – it is a roadmap that defines how Bosnia and Herzegovina intends to advance its development path in full alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and the 2030 Agenda. Its three priorities – inclusive green growth, human capital development, and accountable institutions – speak directly to the challenges and opportunities of our time.
Excellencies,
A particularly important guiding framework for us is the Secretary-General’s July 2025 report, “Seizing the Moment of Opportunity – Supercharging the New Era of Renewables, Efficiency and Electrification.” This report highlights with urgency what Bosnia and Herzegovina recognizes as a national priority: to accelerate renewable energy deployment, improve energy efficiency, and expand electrification as the backbone of our green transition.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, these are not abstract aspirations. The transition to renewables and widespread electrification is central to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, improving air quality, and lowering costs for households and businesses. At the same time, it is a powerful driver of economic modernization, social equity, and integration with the European Union.
But to seize this opportunity, we need deeper and sustained engagement from UNDP and the wider UN development system. Beyond technical projects, we require UNDP’s leadership in supporting new legislation, regulatory reform, and institutional capacity-building that will allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to unlock large-scale investments in renewable energy, set ambitious energy efficiency standards, and modernize its electricity grid. This is where UNDP’s global expertise and convening power can make the decisive difference – helping us design the policies and frameworks that will turn ambition into measurable progress.
Excellencies,
Bosnia and Herzegovina has already shown what is possible when we work together – from retrofitting thousands of public buildings to empowering youth and women through digital innovation. With this new CPD, and with deeper engagement of the UN ecosystem, we are determined to go further.
We are committed to translating this vision into tangible results for our citizens. Together, through stronger solidarity and partnership, we can supercharge the clean energy transition and deliver development that is just, green, and inclusive – leaving no one behind.
Thank you.
STATEMENT
by
H.E. Mr. Zlatko Lagumdžija
Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations
at
EXECUTIVE BOARD OF UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS
SECOND REGULAR SESSION 2025
UNFPA SESSION
CPD
Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour to address you on the occasion of the presentation of the new UNFPA Country Programme Document for Bosnia and Herzegovina for 2026–2030. Allow me to express our deep appreciation to UNFPA for its continued support and for the collaborative spirit with which this programme has been prepared.
The challenges Bosnia and Herzegovina faces are well known. Demographic shifts, low birth rates, and migration continue to shape our society. At the same time, we must respond to the needs of young people, strengthen access to health services, and ensure equality and dignity for women and girls in every community. This new programme provides a strong framework to address these priorities in a way that is both strategic and people-centered.
We particularly welcome UNFPA’s emphasis on universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, on reducing disparities for rural women and on harnessing innovation and digital tools in health care. These efforts will directly improve the quality of life of our citizens and contribute to social cohesion.
Equally important is the programme’s commitment to ending gender-based violence and ensuring protection and empowerment for survivors. Bosnia and Herzegovina attaches the highest importance to this work, as it is not only a human rights imperative but also fundamental to building a more just and inclusive society.
Excellencies,
Young people are at the heart of our future. The programme’s focus on youth participation, education, and empowerment reflects our shared belief that no sustainable transformation is possible without them. Bosnia and Herzegovina sees its young generation as a bridge between stability at home and progress toward our European Union path.
Finally, we welcome UNFPA’s approach of working across all levels of governance and with diverse partners—from local organizations to academia and the private sector. This ensures not only broader reach but also sustainability of results, aligned with our path toward the European Union and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Let me stress that Bosnia and Herzegovina values UNFPA not only as an implementing partner but also as a trusted advisor. The coming years will require close cooperation in shaping forward-looking policies, new legislative frameworks, and partnerships that can ensure demographic resilience and gender equality for generations to come.
On behalf of my country, I reaffirm our strong support for this Country Programme Document and our readiness to work with UNFPA and all partners to turn these commitments into reality – ensuring that development is inclusive, equitable, and leaves no one behind.
Thank you.
