On 29 July 2020 Steliana Nedera, UNDP Resident Representative and Srđan Rajčević Minister of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of Republika Srpska signed Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the area of digital transformation in the public sector. 

Signing of the MoU marks another step towards people-centred digital transformation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is important to accelerate development, but also for making society and governments more resilient to shocks and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Digital government is a fundamental precursor for development of digital society, enabling digital economy and empowering smart cities. With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding we express our shared commitment and readiness, to collaborate in the area of digital transformation and leverage technology and innovation to bring public services and government closer to the citizens. We work in partnership with the British Embassy and aim to build a strong platform of partners”, said Steliana Nedera, UNDP Resident Representative. 

“With this MoU we will have access to significant support in activities dedicated to the digital transformation and ICT sector, and support related to development of new solutions, which will enable domestic and foreign investors better access to domestic ICT services and products”, said Minister Srđan Rajčević. 

In the framework of the MoU, UNDP and the Ministry will collaborate in the areas of good governance and public services with focus on e-governance regulatory and policy frameworks and e-services, digital skills in the public sector, as well as innovative infrastructure to connect innovation, technology and the economy. 

UNDP, in collaboration with the British Embassy, will support the efforts of the Government of Republika Srpska expressed through the E-Government Strategy towards a digital future by promoting new capabilities and harnessing the digital dividends for everyone, including society’s most disadvantaged. 

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After signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, Steliana Nedera, UNDP Resident Representative, Srđan Rajčević, Minister of Scientific and Technological Development, Higher Education and Information Society of Republika Srpska and Igor Radojičić, Mayor of Banja Luka, jointly announced winners of the Future City Banja Luka Innovation Challenge.