The anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement is an opportunity to “redouble our commitment to peace and reconciliation, sustainable development and human rights for all,” Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said in a video message marking 25 years since Bosnia’s peace agreement was signed.
Guterres was among numerous international officials whose video messages were presented at a ceremony marking the anniversary at Sarajevo’s City Hall on Saturday.
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The Dayton agreement “ended an intense conflict that was devastating lives and communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he noted.
“Building a future of peace requires dealing with the past. It means acknowledging the horrific crimes that were committed during the war. These crimes should never be forgotten, nor should the ideology of the perpetrators be celebrated,” the UN Secretary-General said, adding that “Hate Speech or narratives of mistrust and fear have no place in an inclusive, peaceful Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
He stressed that political, religious and community leaders, educators, civil society, the media, as well as all the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, “have a critical part to play in moving forward together from a difficult past.”
“This requires empathy, understanding and respect,” he added.
“As we face the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, let us come together to build a more just, green and resilient Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he said.
Guterres also had a message for Bosnia’s youth:
“No contribution will be as valuable as yours. Your work in building trust today will set the foundations for security and prosperity tomorrow,” he said, urging young people to “get involved and be agents for the change you want to see.”
“The UN will continue to work with all the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a peaceful sustainable future,” he concluded.
