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Today, a working meeting was held in Ravno as part of the field mission for the technical evaluation including the Vjetrenica cave on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This mission is carried out under the auspices of the Advisory Body to the World Heritage Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubravka Bošnjak, attended the meeting and highlighted significant aspects of this unique natural treasure.

Minister Bošnjak emphasized that the protected status of the Vjetrenica cave dates back to 1950, which attests to the recognized importance of preserving this natural phenomenon. It has been on Bosnia and Herzegovina's Tentative List since 2004, confirming that the country prioritizes the nomination of significant cultural and natural assets for inscription on the UNESCO List.

The Minister highlighted the successful collaboration between expert teams and specialists from all relevant institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparing the nomination file for the Vjetrenica cave. She also stated that Vjetrenica holds universal value for Bosnia and Herzegovina, expressing hope that the expert body will recognize this value, support a positive report, and endorse the decision of the World Heritage Committee in the coming year. She expressed optimism that the Vjetrenica cave will successfully meet the criteria for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List and extended gratitude to all present experts and institutions for their contribution and support to this important goal.

Vjetrenica cave is particularly important due to its hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics. As one of the longest caves in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its specific underground streams and lakes, Vjetrenica represents a precious habitat which contributes to the preservation of biological diversity. It enjoys the highest level of protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The local community of Ravno has established a public enterprise called "Vjetrenica," responsible for the management and ensuring continuous funding for the maintenance and regular activities of the cave.