The Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sevlid Hurtić, together with Advisor Elvira Rožnjaković, held a meeting with the newly appointed Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Renaud Meyer, and they discussed a number of joint projects, including human rights initiatives, free legal aid throughout the country for all vulnerable categories, and the defense of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva.
Hurtić and Meyer also discussed issues of persons with disabilities, discrimination, rights and leadership, as well as violence and women’s empowerment. They also emphasized the importance of increasing the birth rate in Bosnia and Herzegovina through comprehensive family support strategies.
The key topic of the meeting was the electrification of returnee settlements. In this context, they discussed the project of developing a study for the construction and sustainability of returnee infrastructure, with a special focus on the electrification of the returnee population.
Advisor Rožnjaković pointed out that currently around 400 households are without electricity, with vulnerable categories being particularly at risk.
Hurtić expressed his gratitude to UNDP for its cooperation and support in key reform processes so far, emphasizing the need to continue and intensify joint efforts to improve the living conditions of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Electrification of returnee settlements is one of the key priorities of our ministry. We cannot talk about sustainable return and quality of life if people do not have the basic conditions for a dignified life. I thank UNDP for its support and I hope that we will try to implement this important project together,” said Hurtić.
Meyer confirmed UNDP’s readiness to continue providing support in the implementation of these important projects, with a special emphasis on sustainable development and social inclusion, the Office of Minister Hurtić announced.
