The second part of the ninth edition of the Economic Forum of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on 22 October 2024 at the Bosniak Institute – Adil Zulfikarpašić Foundation in Sarajevo. The themes of the 2024 Forum focused on the growth and development plan on the path to the European Union, with the implementation of the Pact for the Future, which is based on the principles of sustainable development, inclusiveness, and regional cooperation. Special attention was given to the importance of strengthening institutional capacities, improving the business environment, and enhancing the living standards of citizens.

The Forum's opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Prof. Dr. Zlatko Lagumdžija, the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations (UN) in New York, H.E. Mr.  Maurizio Massari, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and CoChair of the Western Balkans 2030 Working Group, Ms. Ivana Živković, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and  Commonwealth of Independent States, Ms. Jasmina Selimović, Governor of the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ms. Aurélie Valtat, Head of the EU Integration, Political, and Economic Department at the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Economic Forum BiH 2024 was officially opened by the Dean of the University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Economics, Prof. Dr. Meliha Bašić, who stated: "I believe that the Economic Forum BiH has laid the foundations for cooperation between the academic and business communities, as well as economic policymakers in our country. As organisers, we believe we have raised key questions and sparked constructive discussions on the steps we must take on our path to a European future. We must approach reforms with determination and a vision leading to sustainable growth and development. The implementation of the Pact for the Future represents a key opportunity to strengthen our economy and improve the quality of life for our citizens. This requires synergy across all sectors because only through joint efforts and dialogue can we achieve ambitious goals and create strategies that will enable sustainable development and a better future for all. We hope that the ideas and proposals from this Forum will translate into concrete actions and results in the future. I would like to thank all participants for their contributions to the success of the Forum."

Ambassador Dr. Lagumdžija emphasised that  “The Economic Forum, organised by the Faculty of Economics for many years, in a way anticipated what we are discussing today, and the second edition of this year's Forum is dedicated precisely to the Berlin processes. The aim is to provide concrete support for the discussion on how to actualise everything encompassed by the agreement signed in Berlin, which is, above all, the question of the European Growth Plan. All of this is our attempt to bring together people from the business and academic communities at the Economic Forum, along with economic policymakers from the Western Balkan countries, to discuss ways to implement the plan from Berlin.”

The "Western Balkans 2030 Working Group," led by Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a key initiative for regional collaboration, while the involvement of UNDP and UN country teams is essential to this process.

Ms. Ivana Živković, UN Assistant Secretary-General, and UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS noted that "Over 75 per cent of SDG targets are compatible with the EU's policy recommendations, focusing on crucial areas like poverty reduction, skills and jobs, environmental protection, the rule of law, and social policy. This shared commitment, reinforced by the UN's Pact for the Future and the EU Growth Plan, emphasises the power of green and digital transitions to drive progress. Together, we are shaping a future that is sustainable, equitable, and delivers real benefits to all citizens of the Western Balkans."