Bosnia and Herzegovina finalizes its new Strategy for Combating Organized Crime

1-2 September 2022, Igman, Bosnia and Herzegovina: UNODC supported the third meeting of the Working Group tasked to develop the new comprehensive Strategy Against Organized Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Working Group, chaired by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, brings together representatives of key institutions at all levels, including law enforcement, intelligence agencies, indirect taxation authorities and the Prosecutor’s offices. The meeting was organized in cooperation with the OSCE Mission and the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Enhanced cooperation in developing the new Strategy is a result of a dialogue between UNODC and  authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina initiated within the context of the UNODC Global Programme for the Implementation of the Organized Crime Convention, with the support of UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe which were represented by the Regional Serious and Organized Crime Adviser and the Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser during this meeting. Accordingly, UNODC is currently providing technical assistance to the Working Group for the finalization of the countrywide Strategy for Combating Organized Crime relying on its Organized Crime Strategy Toolkit for Developing High-Impact Strategies.

The two-day event allowed the participants to revise the advanced draft strategy, with a view to agreeing on a high-impact approach reflecting the "4Ps" (Prevent, Protect, Pursue, Promote) framework described in UNODC Strategy Toolkit. The Working Group members also discussed implementation and reporting measures. The final draft Strategy is expected to be presented to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for adoption in the next three months.

This activity was implemented with the generous support of the Government of the United Kingdom. It contributes to SDG 16, particularly SDG 16.a on strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

https://sdg-tracker.org/peace-justice#targets