On September 24, 2026, in New York, Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, participated in the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the UN Group of Friends of Mediation titled “an Expanded Coalition for Peace: Strengthening Mediation Through Inclusive Partnership,” whichtook place on the sidelines of the 81 session of the UN General Assembly.
The Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Finland co-chaired and organized this important gathering. The gathering offered a platform to exchange views on the role of the United Nations, regional organizations and other actors in strengthening peace mediation, as well as on the vision of future mediation mechanisms.
In his address, Minister Konaković thanked the co-chairs for their ongoing leadership in promoting preventive diplomacy and mediation. He recalled that Bosnia and Herzegovina, through its own peacebuilding experience, recognizes the key value of dialogue, trust, and an inclusive approach in preventing and resolving conflicts.
Minister Konaković also pointed out that in the current geopolitical environment, traditional state diplomacy must involve regional organizations, civil society, and local communities. He paid particular attention to the importance of coherent action, where regional and local actors bring legitimacy on the ground. At the same time, the United Nations provides global legitimacy and a normative framework.
In the context of inclusive and lasting peace, Minister Konaković assessed that mediation processes can produce long-term results only if they involve an honest confrontation with the past and respect for international court verdicts. He further warned that the glorification of persons convicted of the most atrocious war crimes, including recent events in Serbia related to the funeral of Ratko Mladić, who was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, complicates reconciliation, insults victims and undermines the trust necessary for maintaining peace.
“We can’t ask people to have trust in international law when it ends a war, and then treat that same law as something optional when respecting it becomes politically difficult,” said Minister Konaković, adding that prevention doesn’t start when violence is already at the doorstep, but much earlier – when agreements are being undermined, institutions weakened, and when hate and the glorification of war criminals are allowed to become a normalized narrative.
Minister Konaković also recalled that Bosnia and Herzegovina consistently supports the principles of the United Nations Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions, assessing that divisive narratives not only undermine the internal stability of our country, but also broader regional security. He emphasized that peace is not a lasting achievement that can be taken for granted, but a value that demands continuous protection, responsibility, and political courage.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the Minister noted, remains dedicated to the work of the Group of Friends of Mediation and is ready to share its institutional and historical experiences to help strengthen mediation, conflict prevention, and maintain international peace.
