Statement
by
Mr. Ivan Nimac
Depuy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations
General Assembly Fifty-ninth Session,
Informal thematic consultations on Cluster I (Freedom from want) of the Report of the Secretary General "In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all"
25 April 2005
Mr. Facilitator,
Croatia has aligned itself with the statement of the Permanent Representative of Luxembourg, delivered on behalf of the European Union, but wishes to take this opportunity to briefly touch upon several key issues regarding the "Freedom from Want" chapter of the Secretary-General''s report.
Croatia has already expressed its support for the Secretary-General''s notion that "larger freedom encapsulates the idea that development, security and human rights go hand in hand". Additionally, all development strategies should incorporate gender equality, the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, universal access to primary education and health care, including reproductive health.
Development is a pillar of the United Nations'' mandate and the Millennium Development Goals are international obligations. As such, we welcome the recommitment to the Monterrey and Johannesburg outcomes and the renewed emphasis upon the achievement of the target of 0.7% of GNI for ODA. We consider it important to reaffirm all the outcomes of the UN conferences, which form part of the agreed international development framework of which comprehensive debt relief and completion of the Doha round are key elements. However, we would like to emphasize that the necessary frameworks have been created and the international community needs to proceed to the phase of serious implementation. In this regard, we strongly support national ownership and the proposal for the implementation of bold national development strategies aimed at meeting the MDGs targets by 2015.
We are aware that the current level of aid is not enough to achieve the MDGs, therefore, it is necessary to look at innovative sources of financing which provide additional, stable and predictable flows, including the International Finance Facility, international taxation and complementary sources. We welcome the Secretary General''s call for bold action in this area.
Mr. Facilitator,
Croatia recognizes the needs of Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa and least developed countries as well as the special vulnerabilities of small island developing states. Member states need to support their specific development strategies aimed at achieving the internationally agreed development goals through sustainable development, including the mainstreaming of a gender perspective.
Croatia would also like to emphasize the specific development needs of middle income countries including those with economies in transition, especially in regard to debt and budget deficits. Taking into consideration their higher level of capacity building, research and technology, if these countries are helped to reach their potential, they can become important sources of south-south cooperation, research and technology transfer.
Let me conclude by reiterating what the Secretary-General has said in his report, namely, that in the interconnected world in which we live today we need to cooperate with each other to achieve larger freedom "This kind of cooperation not only advances everyone''s interests but also recognizes our common humanity".
Thank you, Mr. Facilitator.
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