OPENING CEREMONY
Vision 2030
18:00 h
19 October 2026
Emil Balavac serves as the Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Environmental Protection for the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC). He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) and the Bachelor of International Law from American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Minister Balavac has an extensive background in public administration, international development, and youth policy. His professional career includes serving as a Grant Manager for the International Organization for Migration (IOM – UN Migration), Advisor to the Mayor of Jablanica, and a consultant/trainer for major international organizations including the OSCE, UNDP, the Council of Europe, and the Central Election Commission of BiH.
A dedicated advocate for civic engagement, he is actively involved in several regional networks, including the European Youth Coalition for Health and Environment. In his free time, he is an avid mountaineer and heads the Mountain Rescue Service (GSS) in Jablanica.
He was born on February 16, 1989, in Mostar. He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) and the Bachelor of International Law from American University in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He currently serves as a Minister in the Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC), leading the Ministry of Trade, Tourism, and Environmental Protection.
Previously, he worked as a Grant Manager for the International Organization for Migration (IOM – UN Migration), Advisor to the Mayor of the Jablanica Municipality, Legal Consultant for the Jablanica Municipal Election Commission, and project manager for numerous initiatives within the “Pod istim suncem” Youth Club, the Jablanica Youth Council, and the National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS).
As an educator, trainer, organizer, consultant, and seminar moderator, he has collaborated with the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the Institute for Youth Development KULT, RYCO (Regional Youth Cooperation Office), the Youth Initiative for Human Rights Sarajevo, UNDP, and the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He was also a member of the Commission for the Coordination of Youth Issues in BiH under the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH. Additionally, he is a member of the European Youth Coalition for Health and Environment, the European Network of Peace Ambassadors, the Youth Network of BiH, and the Anna Lindh Foundation in BiH.
He is an active mountaineer and the head of the Mountain Rescue Service (GSS) – Jablanica Station.