Bosnia advances biodiversity cooperation through UNDP platform
Protecting nature and ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources require evidence-based decision-making and stronger collaboration among all relevant stakeholders.
The Biodiversity Platform, implemented as part of the Climate Action Academy of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, brought together representatives of institutions at all levels of government, academia, youth, the private sector and civil society through three modules to jointly develop solutions for more effective nature conservation and sustainable natural resource management, CE Report informs via the UNDP's official website.
Throughout the multi-month programme, held in Mostar, Banja Luka and Sarajevo, participants jointly explored key challenges in nature conservation and developed proposals to strengthen communication and cooperation in support of improved public policies, enhanced institutional collaboration and sustainable natural resource management.
Particular emphasis was placed on integrating scientific knowledge into decision-making processes and establishing long-term cooperation between public institutions, academia and other key stakeholders.
One of the key outcomes of the Biodiversity Platform to date is a set of proposals outlining options for the Platform's future operation and long-term sustainability, aimed at supporting the development of evidence-based public policies.
Their implementation has the potential to improve the management of protected areas and natural resources, strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation, and contribute to the achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitments in the European Union accession process.
The programme concluded with a field visit to the Ravna Vala primeval forest on Mount Igman, one of the country's most valuable preserved forest ecosystems.
Through direct engagement with the site's exceptional natural values, participants further deepened their understanding of the role of healthy ecosystems and Nature-based Solutions in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and sustainable development.
The Biodiversity Platform is implemented within UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina's Climate Action Academy as part of the global Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) initiative.
Through the Climate Action Academy, UNDP strengthens capacities and cross-sectoral cooperation in the fields of climate action, nature conservation and sustainable development, connecting science, institutions and practice to ensure that policies and decisions are grounded in scientific evidence.
Photo UNDP
