STATEMENT BY
ALEMKA VRCAN
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
TO THE SECOND COMMITTEE
General Assembly
Sixtieth Session
Item 53
New York, 1 November 2005
Mr. Chairman,
Let me beginning by saying that my delegation aligns itself with the statement of the EU, which will be delivered tomorrow under sustainable development agenda item. We would like, however, to stress a few points of particular relevance to our delegation.
My delegation welcomes the reports of the Secretary-General and the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate UN-Habitat on the appointment of Mrs. Inga Bjork-Klevby as its new Deputy Executive Director.
Croatia fully supported the upgrading the UN-Habitat into the programme status in 2002. We, therefore, welcome the overall positive evaluation report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services, which will serve as a useful tool for further improvements in the areas of strategic planning and coordination, management and resource mobilization in the light of the heavy responsibility placed on the UN-Habitat to respond appropriately to the serious challenges posed by rapid urbanization.
Let me also point out that Croatia supports full implementation of the Habitat Agenda at both national and local levels. In this respect, the Croatian National Habitat Committee has been established as a broad-based platform for national and local-level preparation and implementation of plans of action based on the Habitat Agenda. It has proposed a Program of Work in accordance with the Habitat Agenda, the Istanbul Declaration and the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium.
Settlements and Housing. The rapid growth of cities requires a comprehensive and improved sustainable development, which would take into consideration its ecological, economic and social dimensions. A sound study of objectives and measures of sustainability, based on scientific, public and administrative guidelines is an absolute imperative. In this respect the Croatian National Habitat Committee has initiated activities to prepare guidelines for the housing policy included in Croatia''''s development strategy for the 21st century. The goals of housing policy have taken into consideration the following factors: housing systems and distribution of population, improvement of structurally weaker housing areas, standardisation of housing conditions, protection of spatial and environmental resources and security issues.
Publicly Funded Housing Programmes. In order to answer to the growing housing needs and improve housing conditions for a great number of citizens, on one hand and develop the construction industry on the other, Croatia started the Publicly funded Housing Programme already in 2000. Public interest has been huge and more than 100 towns and cities have developed this type of housing system. The Programme entails a systematic involvement of both, state and local authorities. To this date some 11,000 apartments were constructed in the framework of the Programme according to standards set up by the Economic Commission for Europe.
An Integrated Approach to Spatial Planning and Environment in Cities. The vast territory covered by cities in Croatia, does not allow a complete view of all the influences on environmental development and protection. Consequently, broader urban areas should be included into regional spatial plans in a conceptual and analytical way, while confined urban structures should be comprised into local plans.
In this regard, a number of urban plans for towns, as well as detailed plans for parts of the towns and settlements were adopted in 2005. In addition, spatial plans for all of 500 towns and counties in our country are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Environmental Protection / Coastal Zone. Having a 4,000 km long island coast and over 1,000 islands out of which 47 are inhabited, Croatia is particularly aware of the need to protect its coastal zone. In this regard, the Croatian Government adopted the Regulation on regime and protection of protected coastal area in September 2004. The objective of the Regulation is to protect the cultural, natural and traditional values of the coast and the coastal area, as well as to ensure the appropriate measures of environmental protection and the fresh water resources. The Regulation defines the width of the costal belt to 1,000 m and the sea belt to 300 m. As for the islands their entire surface is included in the belt area. It defines free access to the coast and recognises the need to preserve uninhibited islands, natural beaches and forests. It also sets up restrictions in relation to the widening of the building area, the setting up of industrial zones and energy sectors, and oversees the restoration of deserted exploration fields, mineral resources and construction in compliance with the existing spatial and landscape characteristics. All recently adopted counties’ plans are in compliance with the above-mentioned Regulation.
Let me conclude by saying that my delegation strongly supports an active role of the UN-Habitat within global campaigns, in particular the leading role UN-Habitat plays on issues of secure tenure and urban governance and its focus on the development goals contained in the Millennium Declaration, in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit for Sustainable Development and the World Summit Outcome. We turn to UN-Habitat to guide us effectively in our future endeavours on capacity building in support of sustainable urbanization policies at country and local levels coordinating and cooperating with other relevant UN agencies.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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