The year 2022 began with a stark warning from the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres: that the world faced multiple inter-dependent planetary crises, from more frequent and intense natural disasters, the risk of global pandemics, to threats to international and regional peace and security. Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced the resurgence of COVID-19, while the war in Ukraine led to spiralling inflation, hurting the most the people who have the least, and re-awakening painful memories of the 1992–1995 war.

Nevertheless, as I look back on the year, I see that significant progress has been made. The May 2022 celebration of the 30th anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s membership of the UN saw the launch of the #ImagineChange #ZamisliPromijeni Festival. In September, Bosnia and Herzegovina presented its first ever countrywide vision for education at the Transforming Education Summit in New York. In December, the UN Secretary-General granted the country eligibility to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, which will facilitate sustained support for building trust and social cohesion. Above all, the granting of candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina by the European Council advances the roadmap for a better future for the county and its people.

The UN and BiH Joint Steering Committee held in September 2022 provided an opportunity to reconfirm the commitments set out in our Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021–2025. The present Annual Report details the many achievements of the UN team under this partnership, from sustainable economic prosperity, health, education and 21st century jobs, governance and the rule of law, and social cohesion. I would like to thank all of the UN agencies, funds and programmes who, throughout 2022, worked collaboratively with institutions, international partners, the private sector, civil society and communities across the country to advance the 2030 Agenda. I would also like to thank our donors who have generously supported these efforts.

In 2023, we are delighted that Bosnia and Herzegovina will present its second Voluntary National Review at the High-Level Political Forum in June and participate in the SDG Summit in September. As we collectively take forward the SecretaryGeneral’s vision laid out in our common agenda, this report captures the results of global partnerships, and the importance of an inclusive, networked and effective multilateralism to better respond to humanity’s most pressing challenges, and to forge a greener, fairer future, where no one is left behind. 

Ingrid Macdonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina