May 27, 2025 2:28 pm
Full News

World Bank Celebrates Rebuilding of Mostar Bridge, a Symbol of Reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina”

We had the honor last week to walk together across the iconic Old Bridge, or Stari Most, which connects the two parts of the city of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two decades after the reconstruction of this unique symbol of reconciliation, Mostar’s message to the world remains as powerful as ever: peace and progress are attainable, but they require scaling up efforts and partnerships to promote economic development and address the root causes of fragility and conflict. The story of the Mostar Bridge is a microcosm of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s journey from conflict to recovery. When artillery fire brought down the bridge in 1993, it shattered more than just an architectural and national treasure. As one resident told us, “It was the saddest day of our lives. We wept for it as if it were a loved one.” The bridge’s collapse represented the fracturing of a diverse society and underscored the daunting challenges of reconciliation.

Yet, against all odds, the bridge rose again. This resurrection was made possible by the determination of local communities, the authorities, and the swift action of international partners, including the World Bank Group. Through emergency operations financed by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for low-income countries, we helped Bosnia and Herzegovina rebuild not just its infrastructure, but its economy and social fabric.

Today, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands as a testament to what is possible when the international community rallies behind a country emerging from conflict. It has transformed from a low-income to an upper-middle-income status country aspiring to join the European Union. As Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to rebuild and develop its economy, it made the leap to become an IDA donor in 2023, ready to help other nations on their journey to stability and prosperity.

However, as we celebrate these achievements, we cannot ignore the stark reality facing many other parts of the world. Since 2010, violent conflict has surged dramatically in several regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has further destabilized fragile situations across the globe, from Asia and Africa to Latin America and the Caribbean, and more recently in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The statistics are sobering. The World Bank estimates that 324 million extremely poor people live in 33 countries classified as fragile and conflict affected. By 2030, nearly 60 percent of the world’s extreme poor will reside in such nations. Conflict is also the primary driver of hunger, with 70 percent of the world’s hungry living in war-torn areas.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, we remain committed to helping countries transition from crisis to achieving sustainable growth so that they can chart their own futures. Over the past five years, the World Bank has significantly increased our engagement in fragile and conflict-affected situations. The share of IDA resources going to these countries has increased fivefold over the past decade, now comprising about 40 percent of total IDA resources. Our approach is multi-faceted and adaptive. We’re scaling up support in critical regions like the Sahel, Lake Chad, the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia. We’ve introduced targeted financing mechanisms like the Fragility, Conflict, and Violence Envelope and the Window for Host Communities and Refugees. These tools allow us to tailor our support to specific situations and address the complex needs of both refugee and host populations.

Partnerships are at the heart of our work, particularly in fragile contexts. We’re strengthening collaborations with United Nations agencies, the International Monetary Fund, development banks, the European Commission, bilateral partners, regional institutions, and civil society organizations. Through these partnerships, we’ve achieved tangible results.

In Burkina Faso, our program has supported the socio-economic reintegration of internally displaced persons through support for income-generating activities and awareness-raising sessions on social cohesion. In the Central African Republic, our cash-for-work program has given jobs to tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals. In Rwanda, we’ve supported the demobilization and reintegration of 70,000 ex-combatants into society. In Kosovo, thanks to the extension of fiber-optic high-speed broadband to over 200 villages, more than 60,000 individuals in rural areas, remote schools, and hospitals have gained access to the digital world. In Ukraine, with resources from the international community, the World Bank Group has helped deliver essential services to the population, facilitated infrastructure repairs, and supported key reforms. Affected neighboring countries have also received support to help refugees and mitigate the impact of the crisis.

As we reflect on our visit to Mostar, we’re reminded that the need to build bridges—both literal and metaphorical—has never been greater. The reconstruction of Stari Most wasn’t just about restoring a physical structure, it was about reconnecting communities and rekindling hope. This is the essence of our mission at the World Bank Group.

We believe that by providing people with opportunities, driving economic development, creating jobs, and fostering inclusion, we can build bridges between communities torn apart by conflict. We can transform fragility into resilience, and conflict into cooperation.

The journey from destruction to reconstruction, from poverty to prosperity, is never easy. However, as the story of Mostar Bridge shows, it is possible. With unwavering commitment, strong partnerships, and targeted support, we can help more countries cross the bridge to a peaceful and prosperous future.

Related News
US Hopeful for Ceasefire in Gaza Starting Sunday
India in serious trouble in second New Zealand Test
Wicked Finally Confirms Streaming Release Date with Sing-Along Version
India-Pakistan Prisoner Exchange: BSF Jawan and Rangers Member Return Home
Dhaka and Islamabad Forge Historic Sea Link: Implications for India
Margot Robbie’s Movie Release Delayed to September
Related Posts
Kremlin Says Russian Peace Proposal for Ukraine Still in Progress
Elon’s ‘Paranoid’ About Tesla’s Robotaxi Rollout — And Rightfully So
Doctor Arrested from Operating Theater During Treatment of Critically Ill Pregnant Patient in Bangladesh
India Revives 1971 War-Era Air Base to Counter China-Bangladesh Military Nexus
2.1 Million Jobs Lost in First Half of FY25 — 86% Were Women in Bangladesh: CPD
Trump Administration Imposes Stricter Press Restrictions at the Pentagon
More News

Trump Proposes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health Secretary

Kennedy, a former presidential candidate who subsequently supported President-Elect Trump, expresses skepticism regarding conventional health advice, including vaccinations and the addition of fluoride to water. It is unclear whether the Senate, even if it is Republican-controlled, will confirm him. Trump announced his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Health and Human Services […]

Tina Knowles Defends Beyonce Amid Halftime Show Criticism

Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles, has spoken out against online critics following her daughter’s A Cowboy Carter Christmas halftime performance during the Houston Texans-Baltimore Ravens game. The performance, featuring songs from Beyonce’s debut country album, was a historic event as the first NFL game streamed live on Netflix, attracting over 27 million viewers at its peak.In […]

Hostages Should Be Released, or the Gaza Ceasefire Should End: Trump

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has indefinitely suspended the release of hostages held in Gaza, citing violations of the ceasefire agreement. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump has made a strong statement on the issue. He said that all hostages must be released by noon on Saturday. If that does not happen, the ongoing ceasefire […]

Sheikh Hasina’s Homecoming: 17 May 1981—A Triumph of Resilience and Hope

Sheikh Hasina’s Homecoming: 17 May 1981—A Triumph of Resilience and HopeOn 17 May 1981, Sheikh Hasina set foot on the soil of Bangladesh, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political history. After years in exile following the tragic assassination of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and most of her family members on 15 August […]

Avengers: Doomsday – Russo Brothers Bring Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom

Remember how Avengers: The Kang Dynasty was the big talk at San Diego Comic-Con 2022? Well, in 2024, Marvel hit the reset button, scrapping Kang’s storyline for something far bigger—and more surprising. Enter Avengers: Doomsday, a cinematic game-changer that brought back the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr., but with a twist: Downey is playing […]

Nepal Calls for De-escalation Amid India-Pakistan Conflict

Nepal Calls for De-escalation Amid India-Pakistan ConflictKathmandu, May 9: As tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, Nepal has urged both nations to step back and pursue peaceful resolution.The Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the ongoing military conflict following the April 23 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which claimed the lives of […]

IMF Withholds Loan Installment for Bangladesh

After a two-week visit, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has withheld approval for the next loan installment for Bangladesh. Instead of a green light, the IMF has issued a “last chance” warning, stating that although Bangladesh is on the right path, further reforms are required. If all conditions are met promptly, a final decision may […]

India Will Not Tolerate Nuclear Blackmail, Warns Modi

Following a recent militant attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and escalating tensions with Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a forceful national address on Monday evening. In his speech, aired at 8 PM local time, Modi emphasized that India will not bow to any form of nuclear blackmail, signaling a firm stance amid rising hostilities […]

Israel Issues Final Warning to Yemen’s Houthis Amid Escalating Missile Attacks

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, issued a stern warning on Monday to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants, urging them to cease their missile attacks on Israel or face the same “miserable fate” as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Danon also warned Tehran that Israel has the capability to strike any target in […]

Berlin’s Transformation: From Bohemian Hub to Economic Powerhouse

The Art House Tacheles, once the heart of Berlin’s alternative art and culture scene, symbolizes the city’s transformation. Once a thriving haven for artists after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the five-story building was sold in 2012 and converted into a commercial space, leaving behind its bohemian charm. Berlin’s economy has since flourished, growing […]