The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has commenced the construction and furnishing of a new library at the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the ground-breaking, the SFD board of directors' chair Ahmed Al-Khateeb laid the ceremonial stone.

This project is supported by $22m in funding, offered by Saudi Arabia through the SFD.

Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Nihad Uk said: “The library is a symbol of knowledge, cultural upliftment, and communication, and I believe that our cooperation and friendship will develop precisely in these directions in the future.”

The facility will serve as a central hub for connecting the university’s 28 sub-libraries and is expected to improve the university’s instructional and research capacities.

With a total space of 13,590m², it will be outfitted with advanced technology alongside digital learning tools.

It will also contribute towards realising the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (quality education), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities).

Al-Khateeb said: “This project reflects the strong and lasting developmental ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which began three decades ago.

“We are confident that the new library will help meet the needs of both male and female students at the University of Sarajevo, and the surrounding community.”