UNDP DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THREE YEARS

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (October 24,2007) – The Bosnian Human Rights and Refugees Minister Safet Halilovic and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),Deputy Resident Director Stefan Priesner, signed yesterday in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo a document related to the Bosnian Integrated Local Development Project implementation. The project is aimed to modernize and professionalize the local development planning and management in 20 municipalities of Bosnia.

The project is 3.130.000 USD worth. The main goal of the project is to align standards with the EU in the public sector services and to design the key capacities necessary for managing the pre-association funds. UNDP in partnership with the municipalities’ representatives and Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) will implement the project.

The Bosnian Human Rights and Refugees Minister Safet Halilovic stated after signing that the project will increase the municipalities’ capacities ad the civic society development sector. It will also enable Bosnia’s long-term and sustainable social and economic development within the human rights sector and implementation of the rule of law. Halilovic used the occasion to thank the UNDP representatives for a long-term cooperation with the Ministry, and for this project aimed to improve lives of the Bosnian citizens.

UNDP Deputy Resident Director Stefan Priesner emphasized that he will demand the municipalities to ensure dedication to sectors of human rights and gender equality, in accordance with conventions on human rights. He added that he will also demand a certain degree if participation in cofinancing the technical assistance, training and initiation funds.

Swiss Ambassador to Bosnia Rolf Lenz emphasized that the cooperation between the Bosnian Government, Switzerland and UNDP in the project will enable the improvement in the sector of operative reforms and will increase the capacities in 20 municipalities in Bosnia. The project will ensure social and economic development and the municipalities’ residents will prosper,Lenz said.