Oct 16 2024

Collaborative Approaches to Disaster Response: NATO Forum Kicks Off in Banja Luka

NATO HQ Sarajevo, in partnership with the UK Embassy to BiH, is hosting NATO Forum “Engagement and Mission Content of the Armed Forces response to natural and other disasters and accidents” in Banja Luka.

This three-day Forum, which started today, will discuss and propose concrete improvements in the existing practices governing timeliness and effectiveness of the engagement of 🇧🇦BiH Armed Forces in response to natural and other disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Opening the Forum, Dr. Lidra Zegali, NHQSa Security Institutions Building Advisor, stated that NATO is committed to continue its support for strenghening BiH defence and security sectors for the benefit of all BIH citizens. She highlited that partnership activities are demand driven addresing needs and requirements of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Photo: NATO Headquarters Sarajevo

Forum is another important demonstration of NATO support to BiH, following the 2022 NATO Summit, including the Tailored Support and Defence Capacity Building Package for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

With the goal to inform and facilitate the discussions, Dario Sikuljak, NHQSa Political Military Advisory Section Advisor, delivered a presentation on the legal aspects of the current Military Support to Civilian Authorities processes and procedures, as well as proposed relevant options for the way forward. The Forum has brought together BiH Deputy Ministers of Defense, Slaven Galic and Aleksandar Goganovic, lead representatives and heads of cabinets of all three Presidency members, and the relevant experts and representatives of BiH Armed Forces, UK Embassy and NATO HQ Sarajevo.