The leader of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country born two decades ago in the deadliest fighting in Europe since the Second World War, today stressed the centrality of the United Nations in resolving crises before they degenerate into war and the flight of refugees.

“In Bosnia and Herzegovina, unfortunately, we know too much about the high price of wars,” Dragan Covic, the Chairman of the country’s Presidency, told world leaders from the podium of the UN General Assembly on the 2nd day of its annual general debate.

“On a global level, the United Nations system must be at the heart of all activities using preventive measures to resolve the crises and prevent people from leaving their homes. Again, much of the responsibility for prevention lies with other levels. Within our communities, we must counter all the symptoms of trouble and conflicts,” he added.

He highlighted the importance of correcting social injustice, reconciling the seemingly irreconcilable, persevering in compromise and striving for pluralistic and inclusive solutions.

In a wide-ranging speech Mr. Covic denounced violence against civilians in Syria, backed the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, called terrorism “undoubtedly the greatest evil of today,” and highlighted the importance of gender equality in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that seek to eliminate a host social ills like hunger and poverty.

Full statement available here