LocationsModernized laboratory in Banja Luka enhances public health protection and early pollution detection
The Institute for Protection and Ecology of Republika Srpska has officially received modern laboratory equipment worth approximately USD 130,000, provided through a partnership between the Institute, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and funded by Sweden.
The equipment was secured through the project “Environmentally Sound Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Industrial and Hazardous Waste Sectors in BiH,” with the goal of strengthening institutional capacity for timely detection and analysis of hazardous pollutants—aligned with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international obligations under the Stockholm Convention.
“This donation represents an important step in strengthening our technical and institutional capacities for environmental protection,” said Predrag Ilić, Director of the Institute.
“The new equipment will allow us to detect pollutants with greater precision and respond more effectively, which is crucial for protecting public health. We thank UNDP and Sweden for their partnership, which enables us to operate in accordance with the highest professional and international standards.”
The procured equipment includes advanced analytical instruments for precise sampling, contamination identification, and pollution assessment. It will significantly enhance the Institute’s ability to monitor the quality of soil, water, air, and industrial emissions—providing reliable, science-based data to inform policy decisions.
“Environmental pollution is not just a nature issue—it is a direct threat to human health,” said Victor Munteanu, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in BiH.
“Thanks to this equipment, institutions like the Institute for Protection and Ecology will gain the capacity to detect pollution earlier, more accurately, and more reliably—and most importantly, to act in time to protect public health and the environment. UNDP is pleased to partner with Sweden in supporting domestic institutions to develop concrete solutions that save lives and ensure long-term community safety.”
The laboratory’s modernization continues this support by equipping national institutions with even stronger tools to prevent similar incidents in the future—while simultaneously enhancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s readiness to respond to pollution and climate challenges in a sustainable and systematic way.
