UN's senior official congratulated the mayors of Sarajevo and Istocno Sarajevo for the successful organisation and positive effects of the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) last year, stressing that such events require resolute leaders who understand the need for tolerance.

Adama Dieng, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, met Monday with Abdulah Skaka and Nenad Vukovic at UN HQ in New York, congratulating the officials for the success and positive effects of the event that the two cities jointly organised in 2019.

He said the UN was promoting the event as a successful example.

“I congratulate you also on the reward you received in Monaco for the diplomatic activity of the year, which confirms the importance of this event for peace and understanding in the world. Such important steps forward require resolute and capable persons, who understand the need for tolerance,” said Dieng.

He emphasised that the event evidently contributed to the peace, cooperation and dialogue and that the recognition the two mayors received was justified.

Vukovic thanked for the reception at the UN HQ, noting that this means a huge honour.

“We are glad to receive this sort of recognition for the organisation of the EYOF 2019, and that the UN is promoting this project worldwide, which contributes to the positive image of the cities of Istocno Sarajevo and Sarajevo,” said Vukovic.

“Such receptions and meetings are exceptionally important, taking into consideration that we lost certain ‘media games’ over the past period, which was why we were not presented in the world in an adequate way. I believe the time has come to fix that,” he added.

The New York meeting was organised on the first anniversary of the EYOF 2019.