The Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN marked Armed Forces Day and Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina
New York, December 3, 2024
The Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations marked the 19th anniversary of the Armed Forces and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Statehood Day with a high-level reception. The event was hosted by Ambassador Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija, Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN, and Brigadier Teodor Janjić, Military Adviser of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN.
The reception was attended by military advisers and ambassadors from Security Council member states, representatives of the EU, the region, and other countries.
Brigadier Janjić opened the reception, emphasizing the importance of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in building peace and rebuilding society, highlighting their transformation from formerly opposing armies into a unified institution that now contributes to global peace.
Ambassador Lagumdžija thanked the attendees and stressed the symbolic significance of this anniversary. “The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are an example that divisions can be overcome and unity can be built. Their role in peacekeeping missions around the world shows that we can share our own experiences for the benefit of all.” Addressing the audience, he emphasized how celebrating success provides the necessary energy for faster progress toward a better future. He reminded them that the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina recently celebrated 19 years of existence, while Bosnia and Herzegovina last week marked 81 years of modern statehood, established during World War II as a response to fascism.
” I want to underline that reforms our Armed Forces went through in last 2 decades are good example that we can also do reforms that are in front of us in this challenging time for our country and for the region. Be the unity in diversity.” Lagumdžija said.
He thanked attendees for their support and outlined the key priorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mission to the UN, including the prevention of violations of the Dayton Peace Agreement, support for the 2030 Agenda and reforms in collaboration with EU and Western Balkans countries, and the promotion of international law and human rights through education and reconciliation. He particularly highlighted the implementation of the UNGA Resolution on the 1995 Srebrenica genocide through truth and justice programs as tools for conflict prevention.
“At this gathering I wish you and your families good health and joyful time as we mark our national holiday and armed forces “19th birthday”, with the hope that the coming year will be more peaceful, secure, and better.”
The event concluded with a message of unity and a commitment to continued cooperation on a global level, symbolizing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s contribution to strengthening peace and stability.
Below is the speech of Ambassador Zlatko Lagumdžija:
December 3, 2024, dr Zlatko Lagumdzija,
Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the UN
Ladies and Gentlemen, Your Excellences, Dear Friends
In todays world there is so much evil around us, there are so many atrocities, pain, injustice and inequalities, wars and armed conflicts with mass suffering of civilians including children, neglecting of international laws and denial of verdicts of international courts established by UN, that we keep questioning ourselves how we can motivate and mobilize us to take a common position and move along a pathway of peace, justice and security to a better world we want to live in. Together.
Celebrating and marking successes are energizing moments that can give us proper push to keep going faster along the winding road to a better future we wish for all.
Two days ago our Armed Forces turned 19 years old. Last week we celebrated 81 years of modern Bosnia and Herzegovina statehood that was reestablished in the middle of the Second world war – against fascism. Of course we waited until today in order not to compete with Thanksgiving to convene in here with you – our UN friends.
I want to thank you all for coming here today to share our joy and pride of success that we intend to continue.
Last week we entered in 30th year since Dayton Peace Accord was signed.
If Peace accord is measured by peacekeepers causalities than there has been no more successful job done under UN flag than this one – that required, at that time, US leadership.
Out of tens of thousands of soldiers deployed in B&H – in between three war armies that overnight stopped shooting at each other – no one single soldier has been even wounded or killed in any combat activities. It also applies to EUFOR present today (ALTHEA Mission) that replaced initial UN SFOR NATO led forces.
But if someone would of asked the best experts right after Dayton: which tripartite divided ministries and their stakeholders at that time will be united in war torn country first – Education, Health, Agriculture, Economy, Defense, name it… no one would bet on three armies to become one as a success story example for other institutions to follow with reforms that our Armed Forces have been going through.
Now, in my country as well as in our region, it is time for more EU. Among other things it is time for Green Economy, Education, Health, Agriculture, Digital transformation… that we will be coming through our European integrations reform agenda – but let me remind you that 19 years ago we made unexpected, unpredictable and at that time almost impossible: Armed Forces of B&H whose military personnel, where some of them were in the war being in confronting armies, literally forcefully shooting at each other, already for years has been participating in the most complex conflict operations under UN and /or NATO command.
Today we are ready to extend our active role and presence in UN Peace and Military Missions because after being recipient of peace and nation building UN activities we want to offer our experience and share our own lessons learned for the benefit of all.
Having said so I want to underline that reforms our Armed Forces went through in last 2 decades are good example that we can also do reforms that are in front of us in this challenging time for our country and for the region. Be the unity in diversity.
This is the reason why Bosnia and Herzegovina UN Mission priorities are: first, prevention of violation of Dayton Peace Accord where UN and Dayton Peace Implementation Council Roles are indispensable; second, supporting SDG, EU,WB 2030 reform Agenda with our friends and colleagues from EU and WB creating synergy between EU reform agenda and SDGs; and, third, supporting unconditional respect of international law and human rights based on sharing the truth and justice about our war experience as a reconciliation, conflict prevention toolkit and implementation of UNGA Resolution on Srebrenica genocide 1995 through shared outreach programs.
In that respect we are looking forward to strengthening international law, human rights, and UN Charter through the partnership for peace and prosperity between our nations/states – armed forces and friendship between our people – as our countries make progress toward a shared future in a spirit of cooperation instead of confrontation that unfortunately have been marking this year.
After being proud for success of Summit of the Future I wish us to mark next year by be proudly implementing adopted Pact of the Future in a spirit of shared future, mutual respect and responsibility.
At this gathering I wish you and your families good health and joyful time as we mark our national holiday and armed forces “19th birthday”.
Thank you
Enjoy
