NATO reaffirms strategic focus on Bosnia in 2025 annual report

The report identifies 2025 as a pivotal turning point for Bosnia and Herzegovina. A significant milestone was reached in October 2025 with the approval of the first "Individually Tailored Partnership Programme" (ITPP), creating a modern framework for cooperation. High-level engagement further underscored this commitment, following official visits by the Secretary General in March and his Deputy in September.

NATO’s involvement has shifted from political dialogue to tangible capacity-building projects. Through the Defence and Related Security Capacity Building (DCB) Initiative, the first support package was delivered to the country. Key advancements include:

• Cyber Defence: The Estonian e-Governance Academy launched specialised training sessions to enhance BiH’s digital security.
• Crisis Management: The "Science for Peace and Security" programme established a next-generation Incident Command System, improving coordination for domestic emergency services.
• Counter-Terrorism: The Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM) introduced new courses with Alliance backing.

Furthermore, NATO Headquarters Sarajevo continues to support essential defence reforms while maintaining a close partnership with the European Union’s Operation EUFOR Althea under the "Berlin Plus" arrangements.

Regional and global security dynamics

Beyond BiH, NATO maintains a robust presence in the Western Balkans, specifically through the KFOR mission in Kosovo, which currently deploys 5,200 troops from 33 nations. The Alliance remains a firm supporter of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and continues to engage with Serbia through the Partnership for Peace.

On a global scale, 2025 was marked by the historic Hague Summit, where members pledged to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. This mobilisation is largely a response to Russia, which the report continues to define as the most direct threat to international order. In response, NATO launched operations "Eastern Sentry" and "Baltic Sentry" to protect the eastern flank and critical undersea infrastructure, while further institutionalising support for Ukraine through the new JATEC centre in Poland.