The Director of the Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IDDEEA BiH), Prof. Dr. Almir Badnjević, has been selected among 50 public sector leaders from around the world for the global “DPI 50 – Leaders of Digital Public Infrastructure” list for 2026.
DPI 50 is an initiative of the international platform Apolitical, implemented in cooperation with the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure. The list was officially presented on 22 September 2026 during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) week in New York, where a gathering was also held bringing together public sector and government representatives to discuss the future of trusted and citizen-centred digital public infrastructure.
The global selection recognises 50 public sector leaders who are achieving concrete and measurable results in building the digital infrastructure underpinning modern public services. Digital identity, secure data exchange, institutional interoperability and other shared digital components are increasingly becoming the foundation on which countries build simpler, more accessible and more reliable services for their citizens.
Against this background, the inclusion of the Director of IDDEEA among the 50 selected leaders represents significant international recognition for both the Agency and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prof. Dr. Badnjević was selected in the “Foundational DPI” category, which recognises leaders responsible for developing the foundational components of digital public infrastructure.
The official DPI 50 citation specifically highlights Prof. Dr. Badnjević’s central role in building the foundations of digital public infrastructure in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as IDDEEA’s achievements in the development of digital identity, qualified trust services, institutional interoperability, secure digital authentication and digital services for citizens.
For IDDEEA, this recognition is particularly significant as it confirms that the infrastructure being developed by the Agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina is gaining recognition within the international digital government community. At the same time, it places IDDEEA alongside institutions and leaders from countries around the world that are currently developing the next generation of digital public services and infrastructure.
“Being selected among 50 leaders from around the world is a great honour, but this recognition primarily belongs to IDDEEA and to the people who, over the past years, have demonstrated that Bosnia and Herzegovina can build modern digital infrastructure in line with the highest international standards. What is particularly important to me is that concrete results, rather than plans and promises, have been recognised. Digital identity, electronic signatures, secure data exchange and interoperability are not ends in themselves. Their value lies in enabling citizens to exercise their rights and fulfil their obligations more simply, quickly and securely, without unnecessary visits to service counters. The fact that what we are building today in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been recognised among examples from around the world is a recognition for us, but also an additional responsibility to continue with even greater commitment,” said Prof. Dr. Almir Badnjević.
The DPI 50 selection was conducted through a multi-stage evaluation process. Following an initial nomination and research phase, candidates were assessed through three rounds, including an evaluation by 15 members of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on GovTech and Digital Public Infrastructure. Key criteria included concrete results and innovation, measurable impact and scalability of solutions, as well as trust, security and inclusiveness.
The inclusion of the Director of IDDEEA on the DPI 50 list therefore represents more than an individual international recognition. It demonstrates that Bosnia and Herzegovina, through an institution responsible for some of its most important digital systems, is becoming increasingly visible in the global discussion on the future of digital government.
More information about the DPI 50 initiative, its criteria and nomination process: https://apolitical.co/en/lists/dpi-50