REPORT OF B&H DELEGATION FOR THE WORKSHOP:

REPORT OF B&H DELEGATION FOR THE WORKSHOP: CAPACITY-BUILDING IN GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN COUNTRIES WITH ECONOMIES IN TRANSITION 29-31 July 2002 Thessloniki, Greece 1. CURRENT SITUATION IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as constitutive federal unit of former Yugoslavia was, in context of strategic development of the federal state, predeterminated as a raw material and energetic basis for commercial country development, and the area for development of basic and military industry as well. Proportionally high hidrological and thermal energy potential, huge deposits of coal and metal ores have enabled the production of: more than half of Yugoslav production of coal, 70% of production of ores and ferrous metals, aluminum, lead and zinc, and almost 50% of production of electrical energy. Also, great part of chemical industry (on basis of nitrogen and chlorine) of former Yugoslavia was located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, intensive extraction of natural resources, with prevailing archaic and high polluting technologies and devastation of environment, from the State dictated (nonmarket) prices of raw materials and energy, were not a long range perspective basos for balanced development: economy-ecology, in other words sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In June1992 when the whole world was concerned with the idea of sustainable development and Rio conference, B&H was entering in the third month of difficult and imposed four years long war. Five years later, during Rio + 5 conference, B&H was, with assistance of international community, concentrated on reconstruction activities of the war devastated country and its infrastructure, and with the process of re-establishment of new governance system, which is still in the force. Such situation has resulted in the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina was not sufficiently included in development of an idea and implementation of sustainable development. However, despite difficult post war situation, B&H has succeeded, through several international programs, undertaken in 1997, to be included in process of development of an idea and implementation of sustainable development. In the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which even in the 6th year of post-war rehablitation hasn't succeeded to achieve 50% of key indicators of pre-war (1991) state of self development (GDP per capita, international economic exhange, export/import ratio, employment and population living standard), it is difficult to talk about achievements of sustainable development in former period. There are many factors, important for organized program approach to the initiation of sustainable development in B&H. Here, several key pre-conditions will be emphasized, referring to their importance for characterization of integral state arrangement and dissable justified program approach, or creation of the politics and frame for implementation of measures and actions in shifting towards sustainable development, and to give an evaluation of state of organizational and management system, that is, administrative arrangement and structuring of key creators adn decision makers. 1

2. ACTIVITIES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 21 in B&H Entity governments have delivered no strategic programs related to the implementation of sustainable development practice, although some documents published in this area contain partially terms related to sustainable development. Any significant action was not taken in District Brcko as well. Republic of Srpska has delivered several long-term strategic program, that by great extent, although not directly, partially analyze problematics of sustainable development. On of the most important is Spatial Plan of Republic of Srpska for period 1996-2015, more exactly Etape plan for its realization for period 1996-2001, in which it is specifically elaborated and emphasized segment of environmental protection. Besides the law on spatial planning, in some parts is, by regulations and by-laws, arranged usage of agricultural and construction land, forests, waters, minerals, traffic, energy, protection of cultural adn historic inheritance and nature, as well as protection from elementary disasters. Both entities of B&H, with assistance of European Commission, introduce the set of new environmental legislation(set of five environmental laws nad Law on Fund for nature protection). Similarly, both entities have brought the laws on access to infromations, as one of the ways of implementation of Aarhus convention. In Republic of Srpska, Guidebook on sustainable development was compiled, and distributed to all libraries and municipalities of this entity. Index register on persons responsible for public relations in all Ministries adn Manual for informational education and expenses. In addition, an informational service web site was created, with available information on environmental protection. It is necessary to stress assistance of Information service in the process of information accessibility in the area of legislation on environmental protection and popularization and availability of activities of this sector, through adequate media presentation in Republic of Srpska. Government of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has created Sustainable Development Fund, which activity is still in initial phase. On some lower administrative levels, some development-planning documents were delivered, with appreciation of principles of sustainable development, such as: Development strategy for Canton Sarjavo until 2015, ratified by Cantonal government of Sarajevo in 1998, and professionally verifyed on International conference in the same year. Local communities, cities of Tuzla and Bijeljina have delivered local Agenda 21. In process of implementation, they have noticed necessity for cooperation and sinchronization of activities in the bordering parts of the area. City of Banja Luka, in cooperation with the cities of Federal Republic of Germany, works actively on delivering and implementation of Local Agenda. A small number of companies in both entities have delivered their development plans, based on principles of sustainable development. Chamber of commerce of canton of Sarajevo has delivered a program of organized introduction of sustainable development for its members and within this program, many seminars for the small and medium enterprises were organized on topic of sustainable development and environmental protection, and of particular importance is initiation of joint work on introduction of environmental goals to the enterprise management. Already in year 1974, a law adopted in Bosnia and Herzegovina contained an idea of human environment, that was later formulated as «sustainable development». That was the only law on spatial planning for the area of former Yugoslavia, verifyed by 2

European Council. The Law comprehensively treated issues of urbanism and spatial planning, environment, planning of space and human settlements, and construction. Protection and development of the environment, regulated as an integral component of all activities in certain space. By this approach, focus was not given to,mostly restrictive and limiting, passive nature protection, that is conflicting with main development streams, but created possibility that development is directed in the way that new activities in certain area affirmate new qualities of human environment. In this spirit, certain regulations on quality of environment were embeded in the whole documentation that regulates goals and certain processes in the space: starting from planning, siting, designing to the construction, use of buildings and installations, and the supervision. It can be freely stated that that the Law is conceptually based on principles of sustainable development, promoted in the rest of the world more than 10 years later. Unfortunately, other necessary conditions were not satisfied, for directing to direct development of B&H towards sustainability. Certain moves were done anyway, or are done in last few years, particularly in last few months, what is initiated with preparation of national report for Rio +10 summit. Importance of the national report from the aspect of sustainable, especially environmental development lies in the fact that are, for the first time: - Created and initiated basic researches and field recoinessance in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the area of sustainable development and environmental legislation, - Resolving of basic legislative arrangement in the area of environmental protection, - First national (state) strategic documents and action-operative programs were compiled,indicating what are the future directions for resolving of key areas of concern that consists economic and environmental, and thereby sustainable development and implementation of international agreements on environmental protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina, - Involved domestic and human capacities for creation and preparation of these documents,with technical and financial assistance of international community. Forums for coordination of environmental management in B&H In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is several founded and established forums for coordination of environmental issues, regional international cooperation and programs on environmental protection, on interentity level or level of Bosnia and Herzegovina, like following: Established(some of them earlier, and some recently), following forums and centers: Environmental Steering Committee, as interentity coordination body ( established in 1998, based on agreement- Memorandum of understanding between governments of both BH entities- Republic of Srpska and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina), Regional Environmental Center for Bosnia and Herzegovina (Established in 1999, as a part of Regional Environmental Center for CEE), Regional Environmental Reconstruction Program (REReP) Inter entity Water Commission Ecological forum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (established in 2001, by agreement between 38 different ecological associations, entity and regional civil associations for environmental protection) 3

3. PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS Causes of currently low economic potential and great number of people who live at the edge of poverty in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is proved, are very complex. In these conditions, a puzzle is turning up whether first economic and then environmental problems should be resolved. It seems that that most of B&H thinks so (local administrative bodies and international organizations). However, it is not difficult to show that the question that causes of poverty adn causes of environmental degradation, partly common overuse of natural resources. Additional analysis of sustainability of development, on example of energetics-generator of economic development and the main to blame for environmental impacts for the countries of EED UN( UNECE) jas shown that irrational consumption of natural resources, typical for former period of social development (1945-1990), strenghtened with politics of ex-yugoslavia to B7H, brought to weakenning of economic power of B&H and its citizens and simultaneously, to overextraction of natural resources and environmental pollution. Therefore, activities directed to protection of environment, should contribute to economic development (saving of energy, waste recycling, sanitation directed to decrease in diseases and limitation of local air pollution, etc. ) and increase of economic power of the state. If a thesis that causes of economic efficiency and environmental degradation are joint, an conclusion follows that causes should be identified and activities for their overcoming identified. Causes lie in defining of development growth (growth, not quality), organization of society, building the consumption picture, etc. In accordance with the up to date researches ( initiated mainly by factors of international community -WB, EU-EC. UNDP, REC) in the area of key factors for sustainable development ( legislation, institutional structure, strategy development, policy and plans for achievement of sustainable development), Bosnia and Herzegovina is today faced with serious problems, particularly in resolving of conflicts between economy and environment. These problems are characterized with the following, most important considerations: - Ther is nodefined policy and strategy (action plans) for resolving of questions of sustainable development, environmental protection and management) - Weak institutional capacity for creation and implementation of development and environmental policy on all levels - Cifil society ( NGO's and other factors), practically don't participate in creation of policy and delivering decisions in area of sustainable development and environment; - Unsufficient sectoral communication between entities and between stakeholders in usage of natural resources; - No economic measures on state or entity levels ( stimulation and destimulation of relations to environment); - Lack of trained professionals in administration and lack of training programs - Low level of knowledge on importance of environmental protection and lack of environmental awareness development. Conclusions of these researches, by a great part give a situation in Bosnia adn Herzegovina in this area and indicate the main streams of key actions for arrangement of relationships and capacity building for resolving of environmental and sustainable development hot spots. What is a swan neck for introduction of sustainable development in B&H? Lack of knowledge. Former Yugoslavia lagged behind in knowledge related to environment, comparing to the developed world. B&H lagged behind developed republics in Yugoslav 4

conditions (Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia) and in the time of Rio conference, there was a war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Needed knowledge, except in particular cases is not disposable for the highest state officials. Sustainable development cannot be introduced at once. There must be a certain sequence. Stohastic introduction of cleaner production, eco-management, sustainable agriculture, is not going to give a result. Systems of management in B&H, due to three impacts (decay of socialistic arrangement, decay of federal Yugoslavia and the war) are in that extent destroyed that it cannot be talked about corrections of development, but onlu about imperative introduction of a new type of development. Therefore, B&H, not considering its unstability and unstable at the first sight, if there are coordinated actions, it could be suitable place for introduction of principle of sustainable development. 4. LESSONS LEARNED AND RECCOMENDATIONS In this report-assessment of the state of sustainable development in B&H, certain problematics, obstacles and interferences were elaborated, and certain conclusions proposals and some proposals for resolving of this problematics. Based on above mentioned state appraisal, key problematics adn achieved results in introduction of practice of sustainable development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the following general conclusions and recommendations can be drawn: 1. Specific economic-ecological situation in B&H caused by war and after-war country rehabilitation in period 1992-2002, forces special approach to assessment of achieved sustainability of social, economic and environmental development in this country and creation of system solutions for further movement in that direction Arrangement of legal regulations, primarily in sphere of usage of natural resources adn environmental management. Institutional arrangement of structures at the state level, entity, District Brcko adn lower regional levels, responsible for econimic development, environmental management and self capacity building Involvement of all structures of B&H society ( governmental sector, nongovernmental organizations /associations-labor unions, ecologistic associations of citizens, sector of science and education, association of women and youth etc.) in policy creation, programming an dimplementation of sustainable development program, national welfare-national resource management and environmental protection, Creation of self programs, global and partial projects for international cooperation and support in resolving of essential environmental issues and creation of pre-conditions for balanced usage of natural resources and establishment of sustainable development. 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as unitary state must be capable of development of higher level of international cooperation and partnership, for global, economic and environmental cooperation, for primarily wider and lower range cooperation in: Approaching to international multilateral environmental agreements and their practical implementation Development of multilateral and bilateral trade cooperation and partnership, 5

Development of domestic and foreign economic investments and securing of political, social and economic stability adn actractiveness for investment capital in the country. Development of self himan capacity and efficient institutions for initiation and implementation of sustainable development. 3. International support to B&H in process of its social and economic reintegration and enabling for creation of self(sustainable) future should be primarily directed to: Human capacity development and professional development for introduction of self development and resolving of environmental problems in the country, Technical and financial support in creation, initiation and implementation of local and international programs and projects of economic development, revitalization and environmental protection, Partnership development and partnership cooperation in resolving of global and regional problems of environment adn social and economic development. 4. «Sustainable Development Assessment for B&H» is a first official document, created at the state level, that treats the problems of sustainable development of Bosnia adn Herzegovina. This document should be used for promotion of initiation of process of sustainable development in B&H, that need to be aggirmated through electronic media and press, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, generally in wider public. Simultaneously, it is necessary to initiate compilation of Sustainable Development Strategy for Bosnia and Herzegovina, that would serve to the authorities on different levels and business sector/private enterprises adn development institutions in finding a way for better quality development, better adn more rational usage of natural and human resources and, finally erradication of poverty in this country. Management committee for environment and sustainable development of Bosnia and Herzegovina, created during the preparation of this report, and whose establishment was stimulated by preparation of B&H for participation to the World Summit on Sustainable Development- Rio +10, will be the place of stimulation and coordination of this process. Report prepared by: Dr Milenko Stankovic, Deputy minister for urbanism, housing, public utilities, civil engineering and ecology of Republic of Srpska Mr. Sabit Subasic, Councelor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bosnia and Herzegovina 6