Bosnia and Herzegovina holds the Presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) from 1 January 2025 until 31 December 2025, taking over from Austria. The Presidency highlights challenges knowing no borders, such as pollution, climate change, lack of connectivity, migration, demographic changes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian aggression against Ukraine. These crises have left deep marks on the Danube Region and its citizens. The Presidency underscores that the only way to overcome them is through intensive cooperation and constructive dialogue within the entire Danube Region.
The Presidency intends to accelerate the European integration process as the top priority during its chairmanship. To avoid the spread of „enlargement fatigue,” the enlargement process must be revitalised.
The Presidency pays special attention to the young generation. Brain drain, the widening skills gap, depopulation, youth unemployment, and the consequent demographic shifts pose significant challenges within the Danube Region. This is why youth, education, skills, and labour market policies will continue to be a focus of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EUSDR Presidency priorities.
Thematically, Bosnia and Herzegovina will focus on the following priorities:
- Security, civil protection, and disaster preparedness
- Tourism and culture
- Connectivity and green transition
- Education, skills, and the labour market
During its Presidency mandate, Bosnia and Herzegovina will work on creating synergies to bring regional contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030. It will not be feasible to address SDG-related challenges globally and in the EU (especially in light of the European Green Deal) without the involvement of major economic players, namely enterprises.
The Presidency places great emphasis on gender equality, strengthening the role of women in the Danube Region, and implementing the SDGs in the Region as important cross-cutting issues.
As a member of two EU macro-regional strategies (MRS), Bosnia and Herzegovina will work on further enhancing cooperation between the EUSDR and the other three EU MRSs. Given that five EUSDR member countries participate in the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) as well, mutual cooperation, capacity building, knowledge transfer, and the exchange of best practices will stand at the core of this endeavour. Furthermore, the Presidency will enhance collaboration between the EUSDR and other neighbouring regions to promote the implementation of the SDGs, particularly through the South East Europe 2030 Strategy.
The Presidency will concentrate on cross-MRS activities, especially with the EUSAIR, providing room for mutual learning and the exchange of experiences.
The main event of the Presidency will be the 14th EUSDR Annual Forum in Sarajevo on 5-6 November 2025.
The EUSDR Presidency Programme of Bosnia and Herzegovina is available here.
