YouSaid · the spoken record

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović

lines on the record: 103
first: 2005-09-24
most recent: 2019-09-24
sittings or episodes: 5
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

“Ever more countries are recognizing the necessity of a comprehensive education reform, because too many current education systems are generating youth who cannot find employment. Education has the power to multiply opportunities. It is an engine that creates choices, providing every individual with the freedom to choose a path of his or her own. Gender inequality is the most pervasive form of global inequality and a pressing human rights concern. Women and girls continue to be exposed to a range of obstacles to their complete and full inclusion in social, economic and political life. There will be no real progress without a gender-responsive implementation of Agenda 2030. For us to succeed we need more women in politics and business, in diplomacy and on executive boards. But that will not happen without men.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“At the same time, they carry the dark potential to spread hatred and intolerance and build invisible walls around those who look or think differently. We must pay special attention to that possibility and find the prudence to use new technologies to improve not only our daily lives, but also our hearts and minds. Education, knowledge and tolerance are more than just the tools of choice when dealing with political and social discrimination, exclusion and the prevention of violent extremism and terrorism. They are the way forward. They are the key to success and are fundamental drivers of sustainable development. Constant investment in education systems always pays back with big dividends.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“We must help those who have managed to leave the fields of destruction, but we must also do our utmost to assist those who have stayed behind and are left with no means of or strength to escape. All societies, developed and underdeveloped alike, are currently facing not only one generation, but several generations, of youth that are unemployed, disappointed and discouraged, while others are trying to escape from conflict, violence and intolerance. They are extremely sceptical about their future and become easy prey for all kinds of manipulation and radicalization. Social media and modern communications technology are becoming a double-edged sword. They provide us with unparalleled opportunities, making the world interconnected in ways that only yesterday few dared to dream of.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“Implementing them together with Agenda 2030 will help us address the root causes of the large movements of people. On that issue we need not minimize anyone’s dignity or rights, nor underestimate the perils that surround them. Our immediate focus should be two-fold. We must provide assistance to both the countries of origin and the receiving countries in order to promote safe, regular and orderly migration management. We must promote global efforts to counter organized-crime networks involved in human trafficking. What we have is a global crisis of human mobility and, as such, it requires a global response. We must end the policy of double standards and the hypocritical approach to the tragedy that is unfolding as we speak.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“It is devastating to know how many children could not begin class this autumn because they are victims of the various global crises that we allow to persist. In terms of unlocking global human potential, I believe that if we want to give future generations a chance for a better life by 2030, we must address three main, mutually reinforcing, phenomena: large-scale migrations, demographic dynamics and youth unemployment. We need a predictable, humane, responsible and legally sound system of governing international migration. Croatia commends the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (resolution 71/1), which the General Assembly adopted on Monday, as well as the Agenda for Humanity presented at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul last May.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“There is an evident need for ending the prevailing silo approach, if we are to achieve synergies when implementing mutually interdependent goals. Security, prosperity and human rights go hand-in-hand and cannot be separated. According to the latest UNICEF statistics, over 50 million children are currently uprooted, and almost 60 million children do not have access to primary education. Those children are counting on us to give them the chance they deserve. We should not act only when moved by images, such as those of the Syrian boys Aylan and Omran, which are true symbols of our world gone horribly wrong. The optimism and resilience shown by children and, most of all, their unbridled honesty are qualities that I respect and admire. All children should have the right to their childhood and education.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“I would agree with many who argue that even today, in 2016, we must decide whether we opt for open or closed societies. Whatever we do to safeguard the future should be done with determination, with clear choices in mind. There is much work to be done. We must begin by restoring public confidence in Governments and international organizations. We must embrace our common values with strength, courage and true conviction — beginning with tolerance — and become active and dedicated builders of a world where there is no room for despair. True inclusiveness means more than just being open to cooperation and raising awareness from time to time. It should be a continuous search for consensus, nationally and internationally, and the active involvement of all stakeholders in building new strategic alliances.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“A year has passed since we adopted the milestone Agenda 2030, and we are now one step and one year closer to its deadline. Today, in terms of achievements and responsibilities, I would like to address sustainable development by focusing on human potential, natural resources and resilient societies. We have all signed onto the Agenda, our plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. People should be at the heart of our efforts, with youth at the very core. Our goal as leaders is to empower our youth through education and give them opportunities to be the catalysts of transformation and progress. Now is the time to start viewing our youth as the guardians of Agenda 2030, because in 14 years whatever progress we have achieved will be theirs to carry on.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
““We want a future in which everyone lives a happy life and loves one another”. Those words were recently written in the Book of Ideas by a six-year-old boy named Lovro when he visited my office along with a number of other children to mark the beginning of the new school year in Croatia. But they could easily have been written by any child in the world. It is a simple, yet powerful, wish. In order to transform our world, we as leaders must listen to Lovro’s words. And for that reason I want his voice to be heard today in the General Assembly. Everyone can agree that those simple truths, among which are the right to a happy life and the freedom of choice, as universal drivers of a better world, are indeed the ultimate objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
2016-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 71 (2016)
“More and more leaders must realize, as I have from the start, that we should, all of us, look on solidarity and membership in multilateral and international organizations as a privilege for our citizens. When we leave New York and return home, we need to evaluate our national and international interests and values. We should talk to friendly States and to adversaries. We should engage in dialogue, ask real questions, build trust and keep our perspective. We, the peoples of the United Nations, have the tools and the means. Now is the time to find the will to use them.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“And once that line is crossed, history teaches us that conflict is inevitable. In terms of all the current crises, I have to say that the traditional bilateral diplomacy should be reevaluated in the light of shifting global policy. Never judge a country, person or problem by its size. Do not look at numbers and do not be limited by vocabulary, legal terms, boundaries or borders. In terms of size, Croatia ranks 124th in the world, but 12/54 15-29562 30/09/2015 A/70/PV.19 we are determined that our international presence and relevance will be far greater than our size. Our geographical location keeps us at the global table, sometimes against our will, but mostly by choice. I, for one, am not going anywhere and will continue to ask real questions.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In particular, as we approach the twentieth anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, we all should support Bosnia and Herzegovina, a politically emancipated State in which decisions are taken for the equal benefit and prosperity of its three constituent peoples and other communities and individuals. History is more often than not the real litmus test for leadership. The attribute that all great leaders have had in common is the ability to see past the boundaries of their own timidity. That has often been called vision, or perhaps foresight. In any case, I believe that we all of us fail when we are forced to make a distinction between friends or allies and adversaries. Drawing those distinctions and picking sides creates another wall in terms of global policy. It not only blocks vision, but it confines reason.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Croatia, together with its partners in the European Union, remains committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, as well as to assisting and supporting Ukraine on its reformist path towards a peaceful and prosperous future. We emphasize the importance of the stability of South-East Europe and its prosperity. Croatia remains strongly committed to doing its utmost to support the processes of the Euro-Atlantic integration of its south- eastern neighbourhood. We strongly believe that this is the most efficient and constructive way to secure peace, stability and prosperity for this part of Europe.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Sustainable development rests upon economic, social and environmental pillars and the positive synergy between them. There are few straight lines leading to the final goal; rather, it is a meticulous task that requires connecting all the dots, big and small. The complexity of the 2030 Agenda is testimony to that fact. However, it is the only way forward if we are truly committed to leaving no one behind. On the European continent, in Ukraine, the implementation and the viability of the peace process have to be ensured. The ceasefire must be respected and the Minsk peace plan adhered to by all parties.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“At the same time, we have to find prospects for a peaceful resolution of these conflicts and pave the way for a better life. It is not enough to end human suffering; it is just as important to provide hope and opportunities. We need to build safe, tolerant and flexible communities that are resistant to radicalization and the marginalization of certain social groups, particularly the most vulnerable ones. To that end, we must expand economic, educational and other opportunities. By so doing, we will eliminate the preconditions for radicalization and violent extremism, which may lead to terrorism. In this regard, we call for the timely implementation of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals. There is no development without security. And there is no real security without justice, human rights, rule of law and good governance.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As to Syria, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and the other crisis areas of the Middle East and North Africa, we share a grave concern about the continuing and growing trend of violence, religious intolerance and terrorist actions. In those countries, we see unspeakable acts of barbarism and terror with such appalling forms of killing as beheadings, we see sexual violence against women and girls and other extremely heinous crimes — against humanity, culture, religion, dignity and, most appalling of all, human life. It is shocking and sickening. It has nothing to do with Islam, a religion of peace, tolerance and understanding. We urgently need to stand together, face this huge challenge and mobilize all our efforts to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and all forms of intolerance and discrimination.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“15-29562 11/54 A/70/PV.19 30/09/2015 Croatia is fully committed to promoting peace and stability globally, but even more so regionally. We host the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre, an organization with the important mission of fostering dialogue and cooperation on security matters in South-East Europe, with a focus on harmonizing norms and standards, thus facilitating rapprochement with the European Union and NATO. The issue of most pressing concern is related to the challenges in Europe, in particular its southern neighbourhood. The challenge of the migrant crisis has somehow triggered a connection between geography and peoples’ destinies and has brought to the fore the tragic consequences of unresolved conflicts.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We congratulate the parties to the talks on their determination and political will to resolve an issue that has been burdening international relations for so long. This is a major victory for diplomacy. We expect in the coming months to see to what extent the removal of the nuclear threat is contributing to the vitally important question of the stabilization of the Middle East and beyond. Another milestone in international security has been achieved with the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty. This legally binding instrument establishes for the first time minimum standards in the trade of conventional arms at a global level. Croatia is proud to be among the countries that have ratified and put into effect this milestone treaty.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“As a country with a rich historical heritage with seven UNESCO world heritage sites, Croatia strongly condemns the deliberate destruction of the world’s cultural history and urges the United Nations and everyone to do more to protect and safeguard heritage in areas where it is threatened by conflicts and extremists. In terms of diplomacy and foreign relations, this year could mark a turning point in bilateral relations and a shift towards global policy. In this regard, I cannot overemphasize the importance of trust, not just trust among Member States and international institutions, but trust and truth at every level. On the positive side, we are pleased to note the positive outcome of the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We should therefore spare no effort to uphold and enhance the Treaty in the future. The uncontrolled spread of conventional weapons represents another significant threat to security and stability. In that respect, Croatia was proud to preside over the first Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which is among the most insidious types of weapons because they continue to be a threat long after a conflict ends. It is no coincidence that the Conference took place in Dubrovnik, a city that suffered attacks from these kinds of weapons in the Homeland War.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In addition, I would like to welcome efforts made in other review processes, namely the review of the peacebuilding architecture and the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000). I am truly confident that all expert recommendations will find a way to be implemented. We are witnessing fragile peace and security situations in many parts of the world. Under such circumstances, our dedication to security agreements is becoming increasingly important. This is why we regret that the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons did not produce the much-needed results. Croatia believes that this Treaty continues to be the most effective multilateral instrument for preventing nuclear proliferation and achieving nuclear disarmament.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“In this context of evolving security challenges, the rise of terrorism presents a threat to all of us and calls for a well-coordinated response. Croatia welcomes the work of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations and its review of United Nations peacekeeping operations. We hope that its report will provide future guidance for increasing the effectiveness of United Nations peace operations as one of the key mechanisms for ensuring global peace and stability. In implementing the mandates of peace operations, we stress the importance of giving the highest priority to the protection of civilians, the prevention of atrocities, especially sexual and gender-based violence, and the protection of children.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is a chance that we cannot afford to miss. We should collectively take pride in the fact that we did not miss the chance presented by the Third International Conference on Financing for Development at Addis Ababa. We must remain committed to finding and executing the effective means of implementation for our ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (resolution 70/1) and follow the Addis Ababa Action Agenda to the fullest extent. Unfortunately, the world continues to be appalled by the brutality of a multitude of violent acts and to face increasingly complex security threats involving non-State actors.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“That represents a trend that many other countries are witnessing, and there has to be a joint solution on that front. With sea levels rising, many coastal States, like Croatia, will be seriously affected, while the even greater impact that some of our fellow 10/54 15-29562 30/09/2015 A/70/PV.19 Member States may face will be detrimental to their very existence. It is vital that our actions deal with the interrelationship between climate change, natural resources, prosperity and security. We have to fully understand how those interactions will affect our future prosperity, stability and development. In that regard, we must realize how fragile life is on this planet and that the damage that we have done may not be reversible. We must learn how to change our behaviour and to show more respect for our planet.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“To take one example of the dangers we face, the impact of climate change and global warming on the economy, development, security, political stability and human rights of all countries can no longer be ignored. As we can see for ourselves, the United Nations logo shows the world from the perspective of the Arctic Circle and, sadly, last year’s winter was one of the warmest ever. As the Arctic ice melts and the oceans grow warmer, do we truly grasp the full impact that that has already had on our planet? We cannot predict the final impact that those changes will have. All over the world, and in Croatia as well, we are recording changes in sea temperature and have witnessed unprecedented changes in the ecosystem. In Croatia’s beautiful Adriatic Sea, we have begun documenting the arrival of new species of fish from tropical waters.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We need a change of mindset and behaviour, and that is only possible through education. We must promote education that instils tolerance, trust, compassion, integrity, truth and respect for the dignity of the individual and gender equality. Children are not born with hatred, intolerance, racism, sexism, prejudice or stereotypes in their hearts and minds. They have much to teach us. The rostrum in front of me bears the logo which 70 years ago became a symbol, not just of the United Nations, but of the better world that we then envisioned for ourselves. Since that time, progress has been achieved in some areas, while there have been alarming developments in others. I am hopeful that our quest for a better, safer and more prosperous world is far from over.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“And equally important, it is an issue of efficiently policing and administering international borders. Last but not least, it is an issue that involves combating those who profit from human trafficking and eliminating their networks. The first thing that always comes to mind is educating our children, our future generations, working harder at achieving global citizenship and building on the United Nations idea of a global classroom, such as the Global Education Initiative, in which Croatia is proud to serve as a champion country. It is important to establish a curriculum on common standards for global citizenship, a curriculum that should become compulsory for all children in their formative years. We need to deliver on the promise of the right to education. It seems clear that legislation is not enough.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We must focus on both micro and macro levels at the same time, while keeping in mind what is really at stake: human lives and the future of so many individuals and their families. Here, I ask for consensus within the European Union. Here, I ask for a global response. Here, I ask that we focus on the rule of law and the conventions that we signed at the end of the Second World War. The solution to the migrant crisis in Europe will have to be addressed at the highest global level in several ways. It is an issue that involves ways of defending against terrorism, which, together with extremism in all its forms, must be prevented and defeated at its core. But it is also an issue that involves providing sufficient financial and material aid to refugee camps in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere in that part of the world.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“It cannot be addressed — yet alone solved — by one State alone. It is a multidimensional problem that requires multilateral solutions, in terms of protection against terrorism, preventive diplomacy and sound development. Whoever wants to avoid that issue, or pretend that it does not exist, will simply not be able to help solve it. Since mid-September, with almost 80,000 people having entered Croatia, my country has joined a list of European Union and neighbouring South-East European countries that have been heavily burdened by the current crisis. Croatia has to look at that issue from its own perspective, while keeping in mind historical, current and future global policy trends. And finding the right balance of national, regional and global considerations is the hardest task.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“That is because we ignored the early signs or we just did not have the time or the courage to get involved. We must change that approach. We must act in time, with 15-29562 9/54 A/70/PV.19 30/09/2015 determination and adequate resources. That is not only the right thing to do. It is smart thing to do. The migrant crisis, which has flooded numerous European States, is a textbook case of paying too high a price as a consequence of inaction. The challenge of migration is nothing new. It has been a part of human existence since the dawn of humankind. However, with 60 million people on the move worldwide, what is new is the lack of clear guidelines and comprehensive policies. We need sound legal, social, economic, humanitarian and logistical solutions. The current migrant and refugee problem has national, regional and global aspects.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“No crime should go unpunished, and the effective prosecution of those responsible has to be ensured. We should spare no effort to put an end to the culture of impunity. Croatia is a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court. As the victim of aggression in the 1990s, we are proud to be the thirteenth State to ratify the Kampala amendments on the crime of aggression. Nearly everything can be prevented. Time will, as always, determine who was right and who was wrong, but is that the only alternative to hindsight? Too often, we have to deal with the consequences of our inaction. Too often, instead of solving problems at their source and addressing the root causes at an early stage, we are required to spend more time and resources on the crises after allowing them to spin out of control.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“This year marks numerous tragic anniversaries, among which we note the one hundredth anniversary of the unspeakable Armenian tragedy, the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and the twentieth anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica. With regard to anniversaries, we should ask ourselves whether they are personal events intended only for the victims and the survivors, or whether they are general reminders designed to alert all of us to how much we have forgotten since our initial attempt to maintain world peace. Accountability should always be at the centre of our actions. The fight against impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is not only a matter of justice. It is an equally important element of conflict prevention.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“We are witnessing a breakdown in basic governance and increasing economic despair in too many parts of the world, with more than 1 billion children worldwide living in poverty. It is heartbreaking just to read the number of children who, according to UNICEF, die each day as the result of poverty — 22,000. This is where a commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (resolution 70/1) is not just necessary, but perhaps overdue. I was inspired by the spirit of our Summit last week and hope that it will materialize swiftly and purposefully into actions and accomplishments. We live in a world so rich with potential and beauty, natural and man-made alike, and yet we have witnessed one atrocity after another.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Member States, all 193 of us, should not forget how important membership is, nor how important are the commitments that we have made to ensuring global peace and security. Strengthening the role of the United Nations and promoting international relations and economic order is in the interest of all nations. That is not an empty phrase, but a reality that we must constantly be mindful of. We must ask ourselves whether we are currently meeting the expectations that people around the globe have of the United Nations and of us as Members. The answer is obvious, and not flattering. Too many armed conflicts persist, too many people are denied basic human rights, too many children go to sleep hungry every night, and too many women and girls are left behind.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“During those 23 years, Croatia has transformed itself from a recipient of United Nations assistance and an item on the Security Council’s agenda into an active member supporting the work of our Organization in many areas. Croatia has served on the Security Council and has held the presidency of the Economic and Social Council, and has actively and substantively contributed to our common cause, whether in peacekeeping missions, peacebuilding efforts, arms control, economic and social development, gender equality, strengthening the international legal architecture, or reforming the General Assembly. The United Nations can rest assured that Croatia will continue its efforts and contributions. Can we truly say that we are doing enough to ensure peace, security and human rights? Are we doing enough to protect our planet, the only one we have?”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“Allow me to congratulate you on your election, Mr. President, and to thank His Excellency Mr. Sam Kutesa for his leadership throughout the previous session. We have great expectations for this session, recognizing that there is an urgent need for action on so many issues and in so many areas of the globe. While acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, we sincerely hope that by working together we can turn those challenges into opportunities and make significant progress in achieving some of our common goals. As we celebrate the 70 years of the United Nations, I find myself reflecting on the past 23 years, beginning in 1992, when Croatia joined the United Nations and has since gone on to contribute to the Organization’s legacy and achievements for almost a third of its existence.”
2015-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 70 (2015)
“The United Nations cannot afford to have a Secretariat that is not managed in accordance with contemporary standards and practices. For the same reason, we support system-wide coherence, both in management and policy. 17 There have been many high-minded words uttered on behalf of the United Nations in this Hall during the past week. When we leave this place, let us not forget the principles that we have invoked and the pledges that we have made. Only this can ensure that we accelerate progress towards achievement of both the MDGs and United Nations reform. For its part, you can be assured that the Republic of Croatia shall continue to be a constructive participant in these efforts.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We welcome the decision to establish a Democracy Fund and have, as a concrete measure of our support, made a financial contribution towards its establishment. Only an efficiently functioning United Nations system can respond to contemporary challenges. This requires effective mandates for the principal organs. Yet, there are distinctly different conceptions among Member States of the principle of State sovereignty. These differences, as we have seen in the recent negotiations, impact directly upon the prospects of adjusting the mandates and interrelationships of the principal organs of the United Nations to the realities of the twenty-first century. We all have more work ahead of us on this account. Croatia supports the efforts to introduce significant human resource management reforms in the Secretariat.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The frustration and suffering that can be caused by inaction on the part of the international community, inert in the face of aggression, has been witnessed all too frequently. We welcome this positive development as a step towards a new normative framework. Democracy brings freedom for the individual and contributes to the legitimacy of States. As a signatory of the Warsaw Declaration: Towards a Community of Democracies, Croatia fully recognizes the importance of strengthening democracy and advancing its global acceptance as a universal value. Capacity-building can strengthen States by reinforcing the institutions that ensure the rule of law, equity, access and stable government. Croatia supports the enhancement of the capacity of the United Nations to promote and reinforce democratic institutions and practices around the world.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Existing machinery in the area of human rights - one of the fundamental pillars of the United Nations system - requires such reforms. Croatia welcomes the decision to establish a Human Rights Council as a new organ with the responsibility for promoting universal respect for the protection of human rights and addressing their violation, wherever they may occur. We are disappointed that the necessary political will was not found to conclude an agreement on the Council in the lead-up to the world summit. However, we will work constructively with other Member States in seeking consensus so that as yet undecided elements relating to that Council can be settled during the sixtieth session. Croatia is pleased to see the inclusion of an agreement on the ìresponsibility to protectî in the outcome document.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We are now ready to take the next step in our responsibilities as a Member of the United Nations and as a global citizen. For that reason, the Republic of Croatia has presented its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in the elections to be held in 2007. The postulates within the United Nations Charter on human rights serve as a universal measure for all nations and peoples. They are at the core of the work of the United Nations. That is why we have supported the efforts to reform and strengthen the United Nations human rights machinery. Croatia supports the decision to strengthen the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and to increase the resources allocated to it.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Croatia has been a factor of stability in a neighbourhood where past instability has taken a heavy toll, not only on the countries in the region but also on the broader international community. Our enhanced cooperation with our neighbours is a sure basis for entrenching stability and ensuring preconditions for the expansion of economic opportunities for South-East Europe as a whole. We shall continue to play that regional role. Having successfully evolved through the peacebuilding spectrum, Croatia is now playing its part as a contributor to more than half of the United Nations peacekeeping operations throughout the world, and training peacekeepers from emerging troop- contributing countries. We are using our national experience to help others in need.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The Peacebuilding Commission should assist States to develop and strengthen their key governance institutions and assist local authorities in creating the conditions for sustainable development, including economic growth. It should always ensure that the process is one which is driven by the State concerned and by the key stakeholders within it. If internal 16 conflicts can be quelled and prevented from recurring, then we are creating the conditions for a safer world. We believe that the reform of the Security Council is necessary with regard to both its membership and its working methods. We look forward to further progress being made during the current session of the General Assembly on this matter. Clearly, any solution will require the support of as large a group of Member States as possible.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“It is clear that such an intergovernmental body is needed to fill a void in the United Nations system. While the expertise of the United Nations in peacekeeping is not in doubt, the challenges of building and entrenching peace are different. We have argued for the inclusion in the membership of the Commission of countries with national experience in peacebuilding. We are pleased that that position was reflected in the outcome document. The inclusion of small States whose own experience has spanned the transition from conflict to relief and, subsequently, development, will add an important dimension which would be absent if the Commission were constituted solely by large, wealthy or powerful States.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“We support the recent efforts by a number of States in relation to the NPT-based upon the three pillars of non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful nuclear cooperation - as well as the universal adoption of the comprehensive safeguards agreements and additional protocols. Countries which have experienced conflict and subsequently rebuilt their national capacities and institutions understand well the link between security and development. Both security and development are individual pillars of the work of the United Nations. However, we know that together they are vital for sustainable development. Security and development are mutually reinforcing, providing the foundations for the well-being of individuals and of the States in which they live. Croatia took an active interest in the negotiations on the Peacebuilding Commission.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Last week, the Croatian President signed the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. That Convention, which took several years to negotiate, is a step forward towards concluding a comprehensive international convention on terrorism. States must make greater efforts to ensure that it comes to fruition during the sixtieth session of the General Assembly. Croatia regrets that there has been no meaningful progress on disarmament and non-proliferation. The ongoing stalemate, coming, as it does, in the aftermath of the unsuccessful Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in May, is a disappointment.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“For that reason, we welcome the extensive treatment of environmental issues in the outcome document and reiterate our support for the key concept of sustainable development. An effective multilateral system must rely upon the interaction of States which are responsible domestic and international actors. In recent years, threats to peace and security have become very common topics of discussion in global affairs. With good reason, much effort has been invested in rallying the required international cooperation for the creation of strategies to confront old and new threats to States. Croatia believes that the United Nations should continue to be in the frontline of that process. The fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime is among the greatest challenges we face.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“As a country with an economy in transition and as a European Union (EU) candidate, Croatia is undergoing significant internal structural change and external policy scrutiny. We seek to balance those often competing demands by including our MDG obligations within the context of other policy implementation in the transition and EU accession processes. We have developed national development targets based on the MDGs, taking into account our progress to date. From its coastline, with its over 1,200 islands, to its Karst hinterland and the mountains and plains beyond, Croatia's environment offers rare diversity in a relatively small geographic area. We are vitally interested in the preservation of our national environmental heritage, as well as of the whole of the common environment of mankind.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The road to the achievement of the MDGs on which we set out five years ago has been an uneven one. There has been rapid growth in some parts of the globe, resulting in the movement of millions out of poverty. At the same time, sub-Saharan Africa has 15 stagnated. Small island developing States have special vulnerabilities which threaten their very existence. The achievement of the MDG targets by 2015 requires national and international implementation strategies. We know that the current level of aid is not enough to achieve the MDGs. It is necessary to look at ways to increase the effectiveness of existing aid, introduce innovative sources of financing and adhere to the agreed timetable for progressively increasing flows. In this regard, Croatia supports the Declaration on Innovative Sources of Financing for Development.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“However, compromise should not be used as a synonym for regression. Development is a pillar of the United Nations mandate, and the MDGs are international obligations. Over the years, the development dialogue has resulted in a number of key international documents, which bear witness to the progress on poverty-related issues and the ways in which we have agreed to address those vital challenges. Johannesburg and Monterrey are prominent among them. While it is important to reaffirm the agreed international development framework, it is equally necessary to move forward. Comprehensive debt relief, on which there was progress earlier this year at Gleneagles, and better trade access to the markets of developed countries, which must be an outcome of the Doha round, chart the way forward.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)