YouSaid · the spoken record

Ivo Josipovic

lines on the record: 58
first: 2011-09-24
most recent: 2014-09-24
sittings or episodes: 3
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In conclusion, allow me to address an issue that I personally believe can be one of the best remedies for achieving social improvement, economic advance and, consequently, political stability — education. That is why I strongly support the Secretary-General’s Global Education First Initiative. Knowledge and education are major driving forces of societies and one of the most important preconditions for success and sustainable development. Disparities in knowledge and its distribution, access and application have become major factors in determining the overall success of a nation and the level of its development. It is the best guarantee that the world’s development and stability will go hand in hand and that global peace and security with thus become stronger than ever.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“On another note, we strongly believe that the consolidation of the European space will be possible only through the further stabilization and security of South-Eastern Europe. We look forward to the day when all countries of the region will finally be admitted to the European Union. Croatia has been and will continue to be an advocate for a continuous and strong focus on South-Eastern Europe. The countries of the region are finding an increasing number of ways to cooperate together and to lay the foundation for the joint development of sustainable peace and stability, be it with regard to the recent devastating floods or to dealing with a difficult past, while achieving truth and justice on the issues of missing persons or of setting the stage for major infrastructure and transport projects.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In order to maintain the Council’s authority, relevance and indispensability in maintaining global peace and security, its reform needs to be comprehensive and without further delay. On numerous occasions, Croatia has stated its position on Security Council reform. In our view, the enlargement should happen in both the permanent and the non-permanent categories of membership, including one additional non-permanent seat for the Eastern European States. The enlargement is closely linked to the reform of the working methods of the Security Council, including the question of the use of the veto power. Croatia welcomes and supports the initiative to establish a code of conduct with regard to the suspension of the use of the veto in cases relating to a mass crime.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“One of the most important goals of my presidency has been and continues to be the promotion of dialogue and cooperation instead of conflict as a means of achieving security and stability for Croatia, as well as every other country in the world. I am proud to say that Croatia has come a long way in that respect. With the World Summit in 2005, we started reforming the United Nations system. Despite all the progress made, we have not managed to achieve concrete results with regard to the reform of the Security Council. Moreover, we would like to see the Council more engaged in preventing crises and its ongoing dedication to its Charter duties rather than to any particular interest.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Croatia will continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable people, especially considering that we have rich expertise in the area of capacity- building programmes in a humanitarian crisis, in raising awareness of the dangers of landmines and other unexploded ordnance of war and in providing psychosocial support to victims of violence. In addition, let me point out that Croatia was dedicated and active in delivering humanitarian aid to the flooded regions of its neighbouring countries of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina this spring, while we ourselves also faced grave floods and their consequences in Croatia. We all need more solidarity at the regional and the global levels.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As I have already mentioned, we have recently witnessed all kinds of natural disasters. Such situations demand swift and prompt national and international actions, first and foremost, to mitigate the immediate threat, as the same time as taking care of victims and delivering humanitarian aid. The outbreak of epidemic diseases also has a similar effect. A recent example is the Ebola epidemic in some West African nations. It denotes a matter for solidarity and understanding and demands the world’s immediate and comprehensive response to the multifaceted medical, social, economic and security crisis.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Croatia fully supports the pivotal role of the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms, in particular the Human Rights Council, on the two tracks, namely, to further develop and strengthen the protection of human rights and to effectively respond in a timely way to the challenges of the gross violation and systematic abuse of human rights worldwide. We firmly believe that sustainable development goes hand in hand with democracy, which should be approached in a holistic manner. That said, a number of international mechanisms ensure stable democracies and sustainable development by eliminating double standards, insecurity and impunity. We therefore add our voice to the calls for universal adherence to the Rome Statute and the universal jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“In that vein, we have supported the importance of good governance and the rule of law as the enablers and an inseparable part of sustainable development. Everyone has a role to play: national Governments, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, academia, the media and the various other stakeholders. A key principle that matters to my country is equality among all human beings, regardless of their beliefs, race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation or other status.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“Bearing in mind the need for progress, we have committed ourselves to implementing the Millennium Development Goals. That is our unfinished business. The implementation and evaluation of the Millennium Development Goals have made us all conscious of the fact that such a vital process needs to be continued. Croatia is pleased that, in that regard, we have been building the truly transformative and people-centred framework of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Those goals represent the central investment in our common future. We must put the maximum effort into making the SDGs a reality and into supporting their continuous implementation at all levels. Those goals represent an opportunity for long-term development that humankind cannot afford to miss.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“That is why we are organizing a high- level meeting at United Nations Headquarters on the gender dimension of sustainable development within the context of post-conflict recovery on 26 September. This week, we started discussing climate change — the pressing issue of today. Croatia is as vulnerable as any other country. The devastating and unprecedented floods that we are witnessing now are proof of that. Yesterday, we all renewed our vow to boldly and ambitiously tackle that global issue, which is clearly of great importance. Croatia hopes that the upcoming Lima and Paris conferences will lead us to a global agreement in key areas, including climate financing and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. That remains one of the main pillars of the transformative post-2015 development agenda.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“One effective method in that regard is peacebuilding, where we help post-conflict societies to stand on their own. There is a vast pool of global experience in peacebuilding that could be applied, including that of my own country. We therefore hope that the upcoming review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture will consolidate the existing knowledge and experience and bring fresh ideas as to how to improve the overall peacebuilding process. A special role in maintaining peace and advancing development lies with women. In particular, we see the role of women in achieving successful conflict resolution and the sustainable development of post- conflict societies. We strongly advocate women’s economic empowerment for peacebuilding and development.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“It is truly unnerving to be confronted with the problems and crises that I have mentioned, while our very best effort is needed to overcome obstacles such as climate change, natural disasters and the scarcity and degradation of resources, especially food and drinking water. The crises are interlinked. Therefore, we need an interlinked and integrated response to them. Again, no serious thought can be given to sustainable development without ensuring peace and security. Some conflicts could have been foreseen, prevented and even averted if the international community had acted in a timely and decisive way. While, indeed, the primary responsibility lies with the sovereign State itself, regional and global organizations have the tools, and therefore also the obligation, to assist those States.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The situation in the world brings the need for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction to the centre of our attention. In that regard, the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons will be of particular importance, and Croatia hopes that the Treaty will be reinforced and strengthened as an outcome of the Conference. Croatia also commends the unprecedented international effort aimed at the destruction of the chemical weapons of the Syrian Arab Republic. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Mission’s successful work demonstrates the indispensable role of the United Nations.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“A zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and a joint global effort are needed to prevent that from happening. Croatia supports all ongoing efforts to form a coalition against the so-called Islamic State. We stand ready to make a contribution to Iraqi and Iraqi Kurdish forces. Also, although it is a difficult task, achieving a stable and sustainable peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians is an imperative. We hope that honest and serious efforts will be resumed to negotiate a comprehensive and sustainable peace agreement that will establish the grounds for a two-State solution, living in peace and security, mutually recognizing and respecting each other, and gradually transforming the entire Middle East into a region of peace and cooperation.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The suffering of so many people is unfortunately all too familiar. Croatia echoes the call to stop the violence and to reach a political solution. Croatia strongly supports the principles of international law concerning the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Similarly, we share the grave concern over the terrorism and violence spreading around the world, most notably in the Middle East and Africa. The sheer magnitude of destruction, the loss of lives and unspeakable atrocities, most notably those committed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, can be overshadowed only by the growing threat that they will not stop soon or at any border, and that they will continue to grow and devour everything our civilization stands for.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“More than ever before, we must face the fact that security, development and human rights are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. They demand to be at the very heart of the post-2015 agenda. At this time, we are also witnessing a type of dangerous discord that spreads a fear of the worst possible outcome — the same kind of fear that preceded the birth of the Organization. The Charter of the United Nations provides us with so much wisdom; its words came with the experience of the scourge of war and misery. What we need at this point is to reinvigorate the same level of determination we had almost seven decades ago and to do everything we can to avoid regression. Croatia is deeply concerned about the situation in Ukraine. There is none but a peaceful solution to the conflict.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“The topic of this general debate, “Delivering on and implementing a transformative post- 2015 development agenda”, most fittingly depicts our common priority before the Organization’s seventieth anniversary next autumn. We are about to set the stage for strategic decisions and concrete actions that should deliver comprehensive and transformational changes at the global and national levels. Wars and armed conflicts, natural diseases, pandemic diseases, lingering poverty and many other existing or potential threats to human lives and human rights keep on emerging. If we do not react adamantly and swiftly to tackle those perils early enough in their emerging phases, we run the risk that they will increase exponentially and beyond our control.”
2014-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 69 (2014)
“As a global community, in looking for sustainable solutions, we made strong commitments at last year’s Rio+20 Conference, and we will need to make new ones as we proceed with the post-2015 development agenda. To achieve all of that, we will need to strengthen old partnerships and create new ones, both between Governments and among Governments and civil society and other key stakeholders. In that respect, it is our belief that the United Nations and its institutions offer the best chance to help meet those expectations. Let us, as its Member States, make the best use of all that it has to offer.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“As a member of the Economic and Social Council, we intend to continue advocating a stronger and more efficient role for that main body in its efforts to seek solutions to the most significant social and economic challenges of our time. The General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council should also find ways of working together to support deliberations on the complex matter of sustainable development. Within its broad, overarching mandate, the General Assembly remains the central point for all of our discussions. Croatia welcomes the focus at this year’s debate on the post-2015 development agenda. Finally, I would like to stress that we are all aware of the global challenges we face today.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“However, any reform of the Council must not have a negative impact on its ability to perform its main duties and meet its primary responsibilities. Enlargement of the Council is closely connected with the reform of its working methods, while the continuing veto powers of the permanent five continues to raise numerous questions. That is why such reform must be comprehensive. That having been said, it is Croatia’s position that any enlargement should take place in both the permanent and the non-permanent categories of membership, with one additional non-permanent seat reserved for the group of Eastern European States. That would more properly reflect the reality of international relations in the twenty-first century.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“It is important to understand that reconciliation and cooperation have become a new standard for regional policies, and in that regard, we welcome closer collaboration among all countries of South-Eastern Europe, both bilaterally and in the framework of regional organizations and initiatives. Before concluding, I would like to address the issue of United Nations reform. We believe that there is a need for true reform of the current United Nations structures and mechanisms if the United Nations is to achieve its ambitious goals and strengthen its capacity to meet new challenges. The first area is Security Council reform. Croatia commends the persevering commitment of Member States to the ongoing negotiating process and believes that broader understanding of sustainability should find its place in that context as well.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Croatia firmly believes that EU enlargement has been one of that organization’s most successful and productive policies. Because of that, we believe that the European project should not and cannot stop at our borders. We firmly believe in the strategic importance of the EU’s enlargement policy. It must be continued with respect to all countries of the Western Balkans — based on their individual merits — as it is the best option for long-term stability in the region. We strongly support all of the countries in our neighbourhood in their endeavours and believe that their efforts towards future membership of the European Union will be successful.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Croatia welcomes the already widely accepted view that education represents one of the main building blocks in every society and is a crucial driver for development. I am proud to represent a country among the States championing the Global Education First Initiative. Croatia is fully committed to supporting the Initiative, and I would like to take this opportunity to call upon others to join our efforts to give life to the Initiative’s goals. On 1 July, just over two and a half months ago, Croatia became the twenty-eighth member of the European Union (EU). One of the primary reasons that my country strove to become a full member of the European Union was to secure a safe, democratic and stable future for ourselves and for forthcoming generations.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“While we agree that a transformative shift towards more sustainable development is needed, the question remains how to achieve that shift. Knowledge is the key. The science-policy interface, so often highlighted in the run-up to the Rio+20 Conference and integrated into the vision of “The future we want” (resolution 66/288, annex), stands as a crucial link to those innovative solutions. To achieve a sustainable future, we need a concurrent base of strong institutions, solidarity, justice and social development, with an approach that is more targeted towards marginalized groups, including women’s empowerment, as well as a strong respect for the environment and innovative growth.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In setting the stage for the post-2015 development agenda, we, as a global community, will continue to be confronted with many challenges, some of which I have just mentioned. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) has provided us with important guidance with regard to establishing the goals and multilateral architecture necessary for its implementation. In that sense, we would like to express our satisfaction with the creation of the High-Level Political Forum, which we hope will be a stepping stone in the establishment of a strengthened institutional architecture for sustainable development. Scientists warn us that soon we will need two planets to keep pace with the consumption-driven growth necessary to sustain our ever-increasing population.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In any humanitarian crisis, those paying the highest price for the conflict are civilians, especially women and children. We commend the efforts undertaken by the United Nations and other international donors to help civilians, and we are contributing to them as much as we can. Having been an aid recipient, we have learned that the donor-recipient relationship can be effective and efficient only if based on an equal partnership, mutual respect and understanding. Development cooperation is a multilevel process through which all sides can learn and grow. Croatia will continue focusing its donor activities on gender and child-sensitive issues, on maternal health and the prevention of mortality in children under 5, as well as on enhancing girls’ education.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Croatia is also very concerned about the issue of the uncontrolled spread of small arms and light weapons and their excessive accumulation. We believe that those weapons present a great risk for the stability and security of many weak and fragile areas around the world. A milestone in that area is the successful completion and opening for signature of the international Arms Trade Treaty, a uniquely drafted document establishing rules and criteria for trade in conventional arms. Croatia, as an original signatory State, would like to add its voice to those requesting urgent and universal adherence to the treaty and its expedited entry into force. Nowadays we are witnessing all around the world the heavy toll of armed conflicts and wars.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“In the area of security, we consider the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, especially proliferation to non-State actors, to be a global security priority. Croatia believes that successful non-proliferation is possible only through a combination of diligent work at the national level and the widest possible international cooperation. We firmly believe that adherence to multilateral non-proliferation treaties, as well as participation in informal non-proliferation initiatives, are an indispensable part of non-proliferation efforts. The most recent events in Syria are a horrible reminder and warning of how important it is that all international agreements on non-proliferation be universally complied with.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“We particularly support the abolition of the death penalty, the implementation of anti-discrimination policies, the effective and full protection of the rights of the child and the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities. We will also spare no effort in raising awareness about the importance of upholding and improving women’s and minority rights. Croatia fully supports the pivotal role of the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms, in particular the Human Rights Council. For that reason, Croatia has presented its bid for membership in the Human Rights Council for the period of 2017-2019, remaining committed to making an active and substantial contribution to the activities and efforts of that very important United Nations body.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“For its part, Croatia continues to follow the path of promoting an open and pluralistic democracy as the best guarantee for safeguarding the human rights of its citizens. We believe that democracy needs to be approached in a holistic manner. Human and minority rights, the rule of law, good governance and the fight against corruption are intrinsic to democratic values. Democracy is not only about civil and political rights; its focus is not only on free and fair elections, but also on economic, social and cultural rights. Croatia will continue to seek the upholding of human rights standards across the globe.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Earlier today, Croatia, as PBC Chair and in cooperation with UN- Women, organized a high-level ministerial meeting on women’s economic empowerment in peacebuilding. The meeting emphasized the critical role of women in peacebuilding processes and the fact that empowering women in the economy is essential for realizing women’s rights and achieving broader development goals. In our view, progress in the areas of security, development, the rule of law and human rights must go hand in hand. We would especially like to stress the critical importance that the rule of law plays in post- conflict peacebuilding and, therefore, in achieving lasting peace and sustainable development.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Its aim is to direct and sustain the attention and efforts of the international community in post-conflict countries. Croatia’s interest and engagement in peacebuilding started some time ago and was further strengthened by our bitter experience in recent history. From the very beginning, Croatia actively participated in and contributed to the work of the Peacebuilding Commission. In the PBC we have focused on three different, yet mutually reinforcing areas – strengthening security, stimulating socioeconomic prosperity and promoting human rights and gender equality. For example, as the current PBC Chair and in line with the Peacebuilding Commission’s action plan for 2013, Croatia helped organize a joint meeting of the PBC and the Global Compact on the important topic of business for peacebuilding, which was held in June.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The establishment of the ad hoc criminal tribunals changed the landscape of international criminal justice and paved the way for a whole new system, with the International Criminal Court at its head. The establishment of the International Criminal Court in 1998 can be regarded as one of the most important civilization achievements in the last century and the beginning of a new era of accountability. That is why we are calling on those countries that have not yet decided to adopt the Rome Statute to do so as soon as possible. Our own experience teaches us that peace often comes at a high price. Maintaining peace often entails a long-term and comprehensive commitment on the part of the international community. The United Nations recognized that fact in establishing the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in 2005.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Over the past 20 years Croatia has undertaken a long and demanding journey from being a host nation for a number of United Nations peacekeeping missions on its territory to a peacekeeping contributor. Today, we are determined to continue our participation in many current peacekeeping and peace-support operations and missions around the world. This year also marks the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). It is a well-known fact that Croatia advocated the establishment of the ICTY from the very beginning. We wholeheartedly supported the strong determination of the international community to finally, once and for all, put an end to the culture of impunity that had for so long accompanied wars and armed conflicts.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“While we can and often do debate the overall effectiveness of the United Nations in ensuring international peace, it is important that we build on the lessons learned from both past successes and past mistakes. In that connection, allow me to highlight one such past success. January this year marked the fifteenth anniversary of the end of the mandate of the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium in Croatia. It is considered to be one of the most successful peacekeeping operations in United Nations history. The mission was able to peacefully reaffirm the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia, and paved the way for normalizing relations and cooperation in the region.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“The international community must ensure that there is no impunity for such crimes and that the perpetrators of those and other crimes are held to account. In that connection, we welcome the United States-Russia Framework for Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons of 14 September. The priority must now be to provide for its prompt and full implementation, starting with a process in the Security Council and the soonest possible adoption of a relevant Council resolution. The United Nations was established at a time when the world was emerging from a period that had witnessed the worst atrocities of the twentieth century. In fact, it was established for the very purpose of ensuring that such atrocities would not happen again.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“As a global community, we continue to witness, year after year, a plethora of deadly and prolonged international crises and new and emerging threats and conflicts. The ongoing security and humanitarian catastrophe in Syria, with all its terrible effects and potential to destabilize the region, is naturally foremost on our minds. We are saddened by the tremendous loss of life as a result of that ongoing conflict. We are particularly appalled and concerned by the findings and conclusions of the report of the United Nations Mission to Investigate Allegations of the Use of Chemical Weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic on the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Ghouta area of Damascus on 21 August 2013 (A/67/997). Croatia condemns in the strongest terms the use of chemical weapons.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“I would like first to congratulate the President of the General Assembly on his election to that important position and express my confidence in his leadership. It is also my great pleasure to address the Assembly for the first time as the President of the newest European Union member State. Our debate this year is focused on an issue of paramount importance for our planet’s future — the post-2015 development agenda. However, before sharing my views on that central issue, I would like to share my thoughts on a broader understanding of sustainability. It is difficult, if not impossible, to outline sustainable development without touching upon one of its essential prerequisites: peace and security.”
2013-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 68 (2013)
“Finally, let me return to what this Organization stands for. In order to achieve our common objectives, we must demonstrate unity of purpose, firm resolve, solidarity and responsibility. Or, as a famous composer once said, “Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.””
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“In the light of diminishing natural resources, environmental degradation, extreme poverty, hunger and diseases, and social unrest, we agree with others that sustainable development has become the defining issue of our time. Our highly globalized and interdependent world means that we share not only the same challenges but a common fate. As a member of the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee, Croatia will be an active contributor to the preparations for next year’s United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, the Rio+20 Conference. This summit meeting will provide a unique opportunity to reinvigorate the spirit of Rio and to restate a blueprint for political commitment, partnership and action on the ground without revisiting the agreements reached at Rio in 1992 or at Johannesburg in 2002.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We welcome the establishment of the Change Management Team, and look forward to seeing proposals for streamlining processes, increasing accountability and improving the efficiency of the United Nations in delivering its mandates. The challenges and consequences of climate change are undermining efforts to achieve sustainable development. Climate change must be further mainstreamed into the work of the whole United Nations system, with a view to supporting efforts to help the transition to low-carbon economies consistent with sustainable development, to strengthen countries’ adaptation and resilience in the face of climate change, and to minimize the possible security implications.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Croatia believes that the Security Council must adequately represent the current structure of the membership of the United Nations. We therefore support enlarging the Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent membership categories. Taking into consideration that the number of members of the Eastern European Group has almost doubled, Croatia proposes that one seat be added for the Group in the non-permanent category. Croatia is also aware of the importance of resolving all the other elements of Security Council reform. As we witness the increasing challenges appearing around the world, it is clear that we must all make every effort to strengthen the capability, efficiency and credibility of the United Nations in general.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Croatia welcomes the establishment of UN-Women, the new United Nations body focused on supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women. Croatia also supports relevant initiatives on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and will continue to be actively engaged in the follow-up process to the 2008 joint statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity (see A/63/PV.70). In response to dramatic changes in the world in the last few decades, comprehensive reforms of the United Nations system as a whole have been put forward. Those proposals include structural reform and improvements in the way United Nations bodies function, as well as revitalization of the General Assembly. Although there are many important elements in this process, reforming the Security Council remains essential.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“However, this and many other ongoing crises, in the Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other places, confirm the irreplaceable role of the United Nations in ending conflicts; and in this context mediation, as the theme of our debate, becomes even more relevant. Croatia continues to promote universal human rights and supports the mainstreaming of human rights 11-50871 34 within the United Nations framework. In that context, we give particular attention to issues such as the abolition of the death penalty, gender equality and combating all forms of discrimination, as well as the promotion of the human rights of the most vulnerable social groups, including women, children and persons with disabilities. Croatia strongly supports the concepts of the universality, interrelatedness and indivisibility of all human rights.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Failure to move forward on a two-State solution now may have unpredictable negative consequences, not only for Israel and Palestine, but for the whole international community. Given our recent experience of war and reconciliation, Croatia calls on the leaders of the parties concerned to shoulder their historic responsibility for the future of their peoples and for peace and stability in the Middle East. Recently, we witnessed an example of a new State being created in a generally peaceful manner, and I welcome South Sudan as the newest Member of the United Nations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We share the international community’s belief that it is essential to normalize the situation and prevent further mass violations of human rights, strengthen democratic standards and the rule of law, and assist those who share the vision of a democratic Syria. Croatia shares the sense of urgency concerning the importance of securing an early resumption and conclusion of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, aimed at achieving a two-State solution. The current unprecedented and deep changes in the political landscape of the Middle East call for urgent and highly responsive action by all parties concerned. Mutual recognition — Israel’s recognition of a Palestinian State and Palestine’s recognition of the Jewish State — constitutes both the starting point and the desired outcome of peace negotiations.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“I hope that the democratic forces in Libya will begin to build a new State that will provide the same level of protection and equal opportunities for all Libya’s citizens. It is crucial to work towards establishing the rule of law throughout the country. We trust that the National Transitional Council will succeed in achieving that goal. My country is ready to participate in Libya’s reconstruction, especially given its experience in post-conflict nation- and institution- building. Taking into account new political and humanitarian priorities in the field, Croatia has sent targeted humanitarian assistance to Libya, with an emphasis on medical and humanitarian needs. In the same vein, Croatia has recognized the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, who need and deserve wide and undivided support.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“We had the privilege of chairing the Counter- Terrorism Committee during Croatia’s membership in the Security Council, and we are willing to share our knowledge and experience with others, in the region and beyond. The Arab Spring, which is rooted in the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people for improved economic opportunities and political participation, has just moved into summer, but its democratic gains must be preserved if we do not want to see another relapse into instability. I believe that the course of recent events in Libya has clearly confirmed that the coalition forces and the Security Council took the right approach in protecting civilians from the brute force of the old regime.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Future development of international criminal law should consider improving the efficiency of international courts and of State cooperation, as well as instituting a critical evaluation of some procedural and substantive laws. In that regard, we should consider more efficient measures to be taken in cases of non-cooperative States, the position of victims and their compensation, and the protection of witnesses, as well as the concept of joint criminal enterprise, and others. The protection of fundamental rights and freedoms must be ensured when addressing very serious security challenges, such as international terrorism. Croatia strongly supports the values and objectives of the United Nations Global Counter- Terrorism Strategy, since it confirms that the United Nations is at the centre of global counter-terrorism efforts.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)
“Full cooperation with the ICTY 33 11-50871 and respect for international justice are a lasting commitment for us, not only in the context of the Euro-Atlantic integration processes, but also as an expression of Croatia’s core values and its role in the international community. We greatly appreciate the legacy of the ICTY, especially its contribution to international law, justice and reconciliation. That legacy has already improved national judiciaries in the region through its promotion of high standards of criminal responsibility for breaches of humanitarian law. Further development of international law, both international and national judiciaries and a better understanding of justice will be based on this positive legacy, but also on the lessons learned from some of the ICTY’s weaknesses.”
2011-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 66 (2011)