Statement delivered by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Chargé d'Affaires, Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, at the semi-annual debate of the United Nations Security Council on "The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina"

Mr. President,

I thank High Representative Christian Schmidt for his report on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and welcome the participation of Mrs. Zeljka Cvijanovic, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the representatives of (Serbia, Croatia and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union), in today’s meeting.

Mr. President,

Guyana is concerned about the troubling developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the reporting period. Rising tensions in the political landscape and lack of progress in the implementation of the 5+2 Agenda, and the European Union accession process have created an extraordinary crisis that demands urgent attention.

As the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina prepare to mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement later this year, we call on the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina to recommit to the path of peace and to work together to rebuild trust and understanding. The Dayton Peace Agreement continues to provide a solid framework for reconciliation, peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and we encourage enhanced support for the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability.

With this in mind, Guyana would like to underscore the following messages:

First, EU accession is an important step for Bosnia and Herzegovina in transforming its socio-economic landscape. We have taken note of the stalled momentum since the European Union’s decision in March 2024 to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and encourage continued collaboration toward achieving this goal.

Second, Mr. Schmidt’s report highlights the low participation of women at different levels of Government, as well as their low representation in the labour market. Guyana stresses that women's equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Through increased participation, decisions are more likely to be inclusive, comprehensive and sustainable. We, therefore, encourage the relevant authorities to take effective action to align legislation across the country with the gender equality and to ensure more balanced political participation and power-sharing between men and women at all levels of political and public life in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Third, the challenges faced by young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina must be addressed, including limited opportunities for advancement and other challenges that drive youth dissatisfaction and high emigration rates in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To unlock the full potential of the youth population they must be empowered to participate in the decision-making processes and contribute meaningfully to the society. We welcome the ongoing efforts to implement the Youth, Peace and Security programmes with the support of the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund.

Finally, as a multiethnic society, Guyana embraces inclusivity and the full participation of all ethnic groups in the national development process. We underscore the importance of upholding the provisions of the General Framework Agreement for Peace and urge all relevant stakeholders to act in accordance with the provisions contained therein. We reiterate our call to political leaders to prioritize the national interests of all citizens through constructive dialogue to address divergent views.

In closing, Mr. President, Guyana urges actors at all levels to continue their efforts to ensure that the peace and security of Bosnia and Herzegovina is achieved and with full respect to its sovereignty.

Thank you.