Publications

n line with its mandate, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Mission) supports Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in developing a reliable disaster preparedness and management system in accord with its OSCE commitments and the Framework Law on Protection and Rescue of People and Property from Natural and Other Disasters. The Mission assists authorities, civil society and other stakeholders to increase resilience to natural and other hazards and to reduce the susceptibility of people and property to disaster risk. With its comprehensive approach to security, the Mission is in a unique position to advance co-operation and co-ordination among all relevant ministries and agencies on emergency/crisis management and recovery. These efforts complement implementation of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina addresses environmental challenges by working with the authorities and civil society in a wide range of areas. The Mission’s priorities in this field include improving public access to information and participation in decision-making affecting the environment, strengthening the capacities of the BiH Aarhus Centres and other relevant CSOs, and training justice sector professionals and future lawyers on environmental law. The Mission also supports local-level efforts that strengthen inter-municipal co-operation and directly involve citizens in protecting the environment.

In order to support the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in BiH, a national Network of Aarhus Centres was formed in 2013 under the auspices of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Network represents a platform for exchanging information between competent authorities on the one hand and the public on the other. It encourages transparency within the work of public bodies and enables citizens to voice their views and concerns on decisions that may have an impact on the environment. The BiH Network of Aarhus Centres comprises four Aarhus Centres based in Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Tuzla and Zenica. The Aarhus Centres are part of a broader OSCE-wide network which covers 15 countries in South Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the South Caucuses.