CVIJANOVIĆ: ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IMPERATIVE FOR PROSPERITY AND STABILITY

SEVILLE, 30. JUNA /SRNA/ - Serb member and Chairwoman of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović emphasized that for BiH, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is not just a political ambition, but an imperative for the prosperity, stability and dignity of its citizens.

SRNA publishes the address of the Serb member and Chairperson of the Presidency of BiH at the 4th International Financing for Development Conference 2025, which is being held in Seville, in its entirety:

It is a great honor to address you today in my capacity as the Serb Member and Chairwoman of the Presidency of BiH - a country that, despite enduring and various challenges, remains fully committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For us, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is not merely a policy ambition—it is an imperative for the prosperity, stability, and dignity of our citizens.

At the core of this agenda lies a fundamental question: How do we finance our shared ambitions?

For BiH, this question has become a central tenet of the strategic planning processes within the country, especially in both entities.

Although classified as an upper-middle-income country, we continue to face significant fiscal and structural constraints.

Our per capita investment in the SDGs remains 62 per cent below the average for our income group, while domestic savings hover at approximately 8 per cent of GDP - far from the levels necessary to drive transformative development from within.

Yet, despite these limitations, we have acted decisively.

Over the past three years, the Governments of Republika Srpska, the Federation of BiH and the Brčko District, and the Council of Ministers have adopted BiH's first-ever Sustainable Development Goals Financing Framework.

This is a landmark strategic document that articulates a shared vision for mobilizing new and innovative financial resources in alignment with priorities of different governments in the country.

Developed with support from the United Nations system, this Framework lays out concrete pathways to expand fiscal space and attract sustainable investment, particularly in three priority sectors: clean and affordable energy and

infrastructure, digital transformation, and research and development.

It introduces a range of new instruments - green and SDG bonds, strategic investment funds, and energy performance contracting through ESCO models.

It also anticipates the greater deployment of blended finance mechanisms, social impact bonds, and apex financing facilities to unlock the full potential of both domestic and international capital markets.

Beyond proposing tools, the Framework integrates policy, budget, and investment incentives to drive our long-term development goals.

I pleased to report that the Framework is already being translated into action. Feasibility studies for SDG bonds are underway at the entity level.

Interest-free loan schemes, co-financed by development partners, are supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in adopting green technologies.

Plans for biodiversity financing and digital transition schemes are being developed to improve our readiness for a sustainable future.

However, let me be clear: financing development is not the sole responsibility of governments. Our success will hinge upon enduring partnerships - with international financial institutions, development partners, and, crucially, the private sector. In this regard, it is essential that our partners understand the unique constitutional architecture of BiH – one that is highly decentralized and shaped by the principles of our peace framework.

We seek cooperation that respects this structure and supports our development goals without the intention of altering the constitutional foundation of the country.

We view this conference as an opportunity not only to reaffirm our engagement, but to declare our readiness to lead – constructively, cooperatively and credibly.

The journey to 2030 is not a race between nations. It is a test of our shared resolve, solidarity and vision. BiH may be modest in scale, but is resolute in action. We stand ready to walk this path with all of you - side by side - with purpose and ambition."

Serb member and Chairperson of the Presidency of BiH is participating in this conference at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez.

Together with other participants, heads of state and government, Cvijanović also attended a gala dinner organized by King Felipe VI of Spain.