On April 16 and 17, 2026, the Maryland-Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council (MBHEC) welcomed a delegation of more than 35 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing academia, medical institutions, and the private and public sectors from Mostar, Tuzla, Banja Luka, Doboj, and Sarajevo.
Led by Minister Zukan Helez, Minister of Defense and Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the delegation participated in “Bosnia and Herzegovina Days in Maryland,” a two-day platform designed to strengthen ties between the State of Maryland and Bosnia and Herzegovina in a sustained, substantive, and practical manner. The program was structured around targeted meetings and sector-specific engagement aimed at fostering results-oriented cooperation and long-term follow-through, rather than one-time exchanges.
April 16, 2026 — Washington, D.C.
Joint Meetings
The program officially commenced on Capitol Hill, where Congressman Steny H. Hoyer welcomed the full delegation alongside Minister Helez; Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Vedran Lakić, Federal Minister for Energy, Mining and Industry, and Nerin Dizdar, Federal Minister for Displaced Persons and Refugees. The program officially commenced on Capitol Hill, where Congressman Steny H. Hoyer welcomed the full delegation—which included representatives from universities, medical centers, the private sector, and cities—alongside Minister Helez; Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Vedran Lakić, Federal Minister for Energy, Mining and Industry, and Nerin Dizdar, Federal Minister for Displaced Persons and Refugees. The meeting set a collaborative tone for the days ahead and reaffirmed the importance of sustained U.S.–BiH engagement at the highest levels of government.
Later that day, MBHEC in collaboration with the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina convened a roundtable discussion on institutional and economic pathways for deeper U.S.–BiH engagement. The conversation convened U.S. stakeholders from government, the private sector, academia, and the medical field. Moderated by Azra K. Nurkić, the roundtable examined the current state of bilateral engagement, identified key barriers and opportunities, and outlined concrete pathways forward for cross-sector partnership.
Universities and Medical Institutions
Across a full slate of meetings in Washington, delegation members engaged directly with their American counterparts. Representatives of the University of Banja Luka and the University of Sarajevo visited Georgetown University, where they met with a group of academic and program leaders from the Walsh School of Foreign Service, convened by Vice Dean Raj Desai.
The discussion served as an initial exchange, introducing institutional priorities and areas of expertise on both sides. Participants identified several promising avenues for collaboration, including shorter-term academic visits and targeted exchanges, with a shared understanding that these and other ideas will be further refined through follow-up engagement.
The BiH universities also met with Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick, Bruce A. and Davi-Ellen Chabner Professor of Anthropology, Health, and Global Affairs at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs. The conversation explored shared research interests, potential joint initiatives, and Yale’s ongoing studies in Bosnia and Herzegovina with both sides considering how this work could support academic cooperation going forward.
Representatives from the University Clinical Centers of Mostar, Tuzla, and Sarajevo met with Dr. Asim Tarabar, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, to discuss strategies for strengthening clinical practice in BiH and building durable institutional partnerships with peers in the United States and across the region. The group subsequently met with Dr. Nedim Jaganjac and Dr. Asim Haračić to identify opportunities, shared challenges, and practical next steps for cross-border collaboration in healthcare.
City Representatives
Sarajevo Mayor Samir Avdić and Kristina Bevanda, representing the City of Mostar, met with Sister Cities International to discuss formalizing and deepening existing municipal partnerships while identifying new opportunities . The conversation covered practical steps for matching BiH cities with U.S. counterparts that share priorities in economic development, education, and cultural exchange; leveraging diaspora, academic, and business networks to open doors; and coordinating introductory meetings with prospective U.S. partner cities.
Private Sector
MBHEC organized a series of meetings focused on the IT industry, bringing together BiH companies and U.S. stakeholders to examine one of the fastest-growing sectors of cooperation between the two countries. Discussions explored current U.S. priorities in IT, emerging areas of demand, and the ways BiH’s technical talent and specialized capacity can serve as a meaningful asset to American firms and institutions.
Evening Reception
The day concluded with an evening reception at MBHEC headquarters, where Board Members Adnan Hadrović and Emir N. Kaćapor welcomed guests and members of the BiH delegation. Attendees heard remarks from Minister Helez; Prime Minister Nikšić of the Federation of BiH; H.E. Sven Alkalaj; Ahmet Egrlić, President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Sarajevo Mayor Samir Avdić. The reception provided a more informal setting for continued dialogue and relationship-building between American and Bosnian participants following a full day of formal engagements.
Evening reception at MBHEC HQ
April 17, 2026 — Annapolis, MD
Universities and Medical Institutions
Representatives of the University of Banja Luka and the University of Sarajevo met with Mary Kate Schneider, Ph.D., Director of the Global Studies Program at Loyola University Maryland and representative of the Maryland International Education Consortium. The discussion included her ongoing peace studies program, including field-based engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and explored possible areas of cooperation between universities within the broader MIEC network.
Dr. Schneider expressed openness to expanded collaboration, particularly through flexible, low-cost formats such as virtual engagement and joint academic activities. The BiH representatives invited Dr. Schneider to visit their institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and offered assistance with coordination. The exchange was introductory but constructive, with promising avenues for further engagement.
Private Sector
The BiH private sector delegation met with Mary D. Kane, President & CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. The conversation focused on Maryland’s priority industries, the state’s outbound commercial interests, and the opportunities available to BiH firms through the Global Gateway Soft Landing program, a structured entry point into the Maryland market.
MBHEC also organized a meeting with Mr. Jamie Jefferies, VP & GM Ciena GPO & Strategic Support for GPO, Ciena Corporation to continue the conversation on Ciena’s recent interest in BiH and business opportunities.
City Representatives
As the mayors of two cities bound by a formal sister city relationship, Jared Littmann of Annapolis and Samir Avdić of Sarajevo met to identify pathways and institutional commitments needed to advance joint projects.
Joint Delegation Meeting with Maryland Leadership
The centerpiece of the program was a historic plenary meeting with Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee and members of the Maryland Cabinet, including Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard; Secretary of Commerce Harry Coker, Jr.; and Secretary of the Environment Serena McIlwain. The gathering marked the first time the State of Maryland hosted a Bosnian delegation of this size and breadth, a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship.
Discussion centered on four priority areas of cooperation:
- Education & Academic Exchange: Exploring pathways for formal agreements between BiH universities and Maryland’s higher education institutions, including student exchange, faculty collaboration, and joint research.
- Trade & Economic Development: Identifying priority sectors for Maryland–BiH commercial exchange and the state-level mechanisms available to support investment and trade promotion.
- Healthcare System Partnerships: Advancing clinical partnerships, public health cooperation, and professional exchange between Maryland medical systems and BiH healthcare institutions.
- Municipal & Civic Diplomacy: Building on existing sister city frameworks and municipal relationships to establish structured, ongoing civic exchange between Maryland cities and BiH municipalities.
In closing remarks, Andrea Pozderac summarized the meeting’s core takeaways: a clear need for sustained connectivity grounded in shared values, ideas, and purpose; and a collective readiness to move beyond formal meetings and translate discussion into concrete action.
Plenary Session with Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee and members of the Maryland Cabinet
Acknowledgments
The Maryland-Bosnia and Herzegovina Exchange Council extends its sincere thanks to all partners, institutions, and sponsors who made this event possible. Special recognition is given to Minister Zukan Helez for convening the BiH delegation and bringing together representatives from Tuzla, Mostar, Banja Luka, and Sarajevo across sectors .
We are deeply grateful to our sponsors: Gold sponsor Artco Group; Silver sponsors the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Igman Since 1950, BNT, Ginex, and Derubis; and Bronze sponsor Unis Group. We also thank our institutional partners, in particular the Office of the Secretary of State of Maryland, the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Military Attaché Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, and the Institute for Development Impact for their continued dedication, vision, and confidence in MBHEC’s mission.
