LocationsObserving Today, Protecting Tomorrow
March 19, 2026
What will the weather be like tomorrow?
Although they are most commonly associated with weather forecasts, hydrometeorological institutes play a much broader role in understanding climate, managing risks, and strengthening the resilience of communities.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the question “What will the weather be like tomorrow?” is no longer a matter of curiosity. It is a matter of safety, planning, and responsibility.
Tracking changes and carrying out systematic observation today means protecting people, infrastructure, and communities tomorrow.
And that requires far more than simply looking up at the sky.
WOMEN ON THE FRONTLINE OF CLIMATE SECURITY
For hydrologist Merima Trako of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina, fieldwork is not just a job - it is a calling. Standing by a river, measuring water levels during high-water events, and knowing that these data can help prevent damage or save lives gives particular weight to every reading.
Fieldwork is physically demanding and often unpredictable. Yet it is precisely this combination of expertise, resilience, and dedication that challenges stereotypes about “male” professions.
“I am motivated by the knowledge that my work contributes to disaster prevention and protection in our country, which gives this job a special sense of purpose and responsibility,”
Merima emphasizes.
A similar perspective is shared by meteorologist Milica Đorđević of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Republika Srpska, who stresses that understanding the human dimension is essential for effective risk communication.
“Understanding how people react and make decisions based on our warnings helps us provide better and timelier information to those who need it most.”
Over the course of her career, Milica has progressed from forecaster to Head of the Department for Monitoring and Warning of Hazardous Events. Yet the essence of the job remains the same: forecasts and warnings are not merely technical data - they are information on which people and communities depend.
In both institutes, women make up a significant share of the professional staff and leadership, confirming that climate security must be both gender-inclusive and institutionally strong.
Hydrometric measurement on the Neretva River
LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CLIMATE EXTREMES
Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing increasingly intense climate extremes - from floods and droughts to heatwaves. In this context, the role of hydrometeorological institutions is becoming ever more strategic.
Darko Borojević, Director of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Republika Srpska, notes that public perception is often focused on a simple question - will it rain? Yet behind every forecast stands a complex system of observation, analysis, verification, and communication.
“During extreme events, the website of the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Republika Srpska records tens of thousands of visits per day — a clear indication that citizens recognize the Institute’s information as reliable and timely,”
Borojević emphasizes.
Almir Bijedić, Director of the Federal Hydrometeorological Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stresses that early warning systems are of strategic importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Membership in European warning systems — METEOALARM and EFAS — as well as the planned installation of the first X-band meteorological radar in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, represent important steps toward strengthening capacities for timely warning and the protection of the population.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing increasingly intense climate extremes - from floods and droughts to heatwaves.
CHALLENGES THAT REQUIRE SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS
Strengthening the system requires continuous investment - in infrastructure, equipment, and people.
In Republika Srpska, one of the strategic priorities is the construction of a dedicated office building for the Republic Hydrometeorological Institute, which would enable all processes to be carried out more quickly, effectively, and securely.
“A long-standing challenge is also the shortage of highly specialized staff, which further complicates the development of this complex system,”
Borojević emphasizes.
Bijedić underlines that:
“In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is essential to secure stable budget funding for the maintenance of automatic meteorological and precipitation stations, as well as for a unified information system for the collection, control, and exchange of data.”
Without systemic financing and continuous institutional support, neither the most modern equipment nor the most accurate models can guarantee a reliable early warning system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Strengthening the system requires continuous investment — in infrastructure, equipment, and people.
PARTNERSHIP FOR A MORE RESILIENT TOMORROW
Improving hydrological and meteorological monitoring through advanced forecasting models for river basins, installing new automatic stations, and strengthening early warning systems are all part of the comprehensive support UNDP provides across Bosnia and Herzegovina to enhance climate risk management and build the long-term resilience of communities.
At the same time, by strengthening capacities for transparent climate reporting — including the preparation of the Biennial Transparency Report (BTR) and the development of NDC 3.0 under the UNFCCC — efforts are being made to ensure that climate action is measurable, accountable, and aligned with international commitments.
With financial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP continues to strengthen institutional capacities so that the climate security system can remain sustainable in the long term.
Resilience is not a one-off measure — it is built through knowledge, strong institutions, and lasting partnerships.
Their role goes far beyond answering the question: “What will the weather be like tomorrow?”
Related
content
content
