Monograph “Assessment of the state of nature and management of natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina” | BiH is the only country in the region that has done an assessment of the state of nature promoted

Today, the University of Sarajevo organized the promotion of the monograph “Assessment of the state of nature and management of natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina” and the ceremonial handover of its Summary for decision makers to the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, as a key point for biodiversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the UNSA Rectorate Ceremonial Hall.

The monograph is the result of four years of work by a group of 105 scientific workers from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, who analyzed socially significant scientific information and traditional knowledge about nature and natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This significant project, coordinated by UNEP-WCMC, UNDP and UNESCO, aims to establish valid and continuous scientific and technical support for the decision-making process for sustainable development and conservation of natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj, rector of the University of Sarajevo, ceremoniously handed over the document Summary for Decision Makers to Assistant Federal Minister of Environment and Tourism Prof. Dr. . Mehmed Cera.

Rector Škrijelj highlighted the dedicated work of the scientific community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which completed its task and presented existing knowledge in a short, clear and concise manner.

“The scientific community went one step further – it prepared messages that are understandable to everyone in our society,” he said. He also stated that these are messages that should be conveyed to everyone, especially to the highest administrative levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to help us preserve the future of nature and people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On this occasion, he thanked the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Prof. Dr. . Nasiha Pozder for the cooperation and support of the project, and announced the constant dialogue of the scientific community with decision makers.

Prof. Dr. Mehmed Cero pointed out that this is an important professional document that is also necessary for the Ministry itself for further activities in creating a biodiversity strategy. This is an obligation of Bosnia and Herzegovina according to the United Nations convention, where the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism is a local institution that has the role of coordinating all institutions in BiH.

“I can say with pride that we are the only country in the region that has done such an assessment and we can be an example of how to approach taking into account all our barriers, obstacles, political problems that we have. We succeed as a country in realizing our international obligations.” Cero pointed out.

He said that the greatest credit goes to the scientific community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose work was relied upon. Unfortunately, as he pointed out, biodiversity and nature protection are not top topics in our society.

“A version of the summary for decision-makers has been created. As a Ministry, we will send it to the Council of Ministers for adoption and to other institutions for use. One such document must be active, and we will do our best to make it useful and to develop others in the future. activities when it comes to cooperation with the academic scientific community in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Cero emphasized.

At the same event, the monograph State of Traditional Knowledge on Biodiversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina was promoted, the results of which have already been included in the overall Assessment of the State of Nature and Management of Natural Resources in BiH.

The UNESCO representatives, Mr. Siniša Šešum, and the representative of UNEP-WCMC, Mrs. Juanita Chavez Posada, and the coordinator of the Project Assessments, Prof. Dr. . Senka Barudanović.

The coordinator of the Assessment project, Professor Senka Barudanović, pointed out that the monograph “Assessment of the state of nature and management of natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is the result of the work of more than 100 scientists from all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“It is extremely important for the processes of sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that monograph, all scientific and popular knowledge about biodiversity, that is, the nature of BiH, is summarized,” she stated.

Professor Barudanović underlines that the monograph has 800 pages, and that a summary has been prepared for decision-makers, where the summarized knowledge is conveyed in a much easier way.

“These are messages to decision-makers that we hope they will take over and use further when making decisions and managing in all those processes that should preserve nature and natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” she stated.

Attendees were greeted by Prof. Dr. Nermina Hadžigrahić, University of Tuzla Rector and chairperson of the Rector's Conference/Board of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing that the project “Assessment of the state of nature and management of natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina” was implemented with the support of the Rector's Conference, which enabled the active participation of experts from all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“This partnership ensured the necessary support and time for the participation of all members of the multidisciplinary author team” she stated, and reminded that during the past years, we faced numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected the activity you. However, as she emphasized, “through the dedication and will of our scientists, all obstacles were overcome and the goals of the project were achieved.”

The monograph Assessment of the state of nature and management of natural resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as its Summary for decision-makers, were presented by the co-chairman of the Assessment: Prof. Dr. Mersudin Avdibegović, Prof. Dr. Milan Mataruga and Prof. Dr. . Mirjana Milićević. In front of the reviewers, the academician Prof. Dr. Mirko Pejanović, Emer. and Prof. Dr. . Dubravka Šoljan, Emer.

The monograph The state of traditional knowledge about biodiversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina was presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Armin Macanović, and academician prof. addressed the reviewers. Ph.D. Mirko Pejanović.