On this occasion, Croatia also assumed the two-year chairmanship of the Security Council’s committee for monitoring the implementation of Resolution 1373 (2001), the so-called Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). Apart from the CTC, Croatia will also chair the Working Group founded through Resolution 1566 (2004), also dealing in combating terrorism.
This Security Council’s decision represents an exceptional recognition for Croatia, especially in view of combating terrorism being one of the biggest modern-day challenges and threats to global peace and security, as well as a confirmation of the international community’s trust in the capacity of Croatia, a first-time Security Council member, to chair a committee shaping the world’s response to terrorism.
Croatia has also assumed the co-chair duties for the Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of Resolution 751 (1992) – Sanctions against Somalia, Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of Resolution 1591 (2005) - Sanctions against Sudan, and the Committee for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, founded through Resolution 1540 (2004).
The Council also saw the first-time participation of the other four newly-elected members – Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Libya, and Vietnam. According to the custom alphabetical rotation, Croatia will be presiding over the Council in December 2008.