On 24 October we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, on the occasion of the day when in 1945 the UN Charter came into force. This is also an opportunity to motivate the UN and the entire international community to intensify efforts and activities in order to successfully rise to the present and future challenges in all three pillars of the UN work – peace and security, development, and human rights.
To mark the anniversary, the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosted a reception for foreign diplomats. In her address, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Vesna Pusić underscored that the celebration was dedicated to Croatia’s transformation from a country receiving to one offering development aid. Pusić recalled that the UN supported cooperation and sustainable development as a priority of international cooperation, adding that each country, regardless of its size, can be an actor in the system of international aid.
Lara Romano, political advisor to the senior civilian representative in Mazar-e-Sharif and the first Croatian diplomatic representative in Afghanistan, listed in her address some of Croatia’s projects in that country, such as midwifery school, carpet weaving project and photography course for women. She also recalled the publishing of a book by Afghan poets called “Our Village”, made possible by Croatia. Dražen Hrastić, the first Croatian diplomat to serve in a mission in Afghanistan, underlined that the cornerstone of every society was healthcare and education, recalling that Croatia respected the local customs while helping Afghanistan. Assistant Minister Jasna Ognjanovac addressed the concept, goals and evolution of sustainable development within the EUN, notably in terms of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In just 20 years of membership in this global organisation, Croatia has achieved remarkable results and participated in the work of numerous prestigious bodies and initiatives. Croatia is an active participant in the Economic and Social Council – ECOSOC (2013-2015) and at one time chaired and vice-chaired its Integration Segment.
Also, this year Croatia’s four-year membership in the Peace Building Commission (PBC) expires. Croatia intends to actively participate in establishing the UN’s new peace architecture which will be implemented at an intergovernmental level in late 2015 and early 2016. This is a field in which Croatia’s experience – gained during reconstruction and reconciliation in the wake of armed conflicts and later in UN peace missions – can be of particular added value.
The role and potential of women in maintaining and building peace is being recognised more and more on the global level and Croatia has actively contributed to this in both the political and practical sense, which was confirmed in May with the training program for 14 women police officers from seven African and Asian countries.
This year’s main event, which was also a historic moment for the future of our planet, was the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September. Croatia actively participated in the negotiation process and the objectives. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development represents a guideline for humanity so that it can develop sustainably and evenly, with no country, region or social group left behind.
At the Conference of State Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris, Croatia has also given its contribution, actively advocating the adoption of a universal and legally binding agreement on climate change. In September, Croatia hosted the First Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which saw the adoption of the Dubrovnik Declaration, the most important political document condemning the use of cluster munitions, and the Dubrovnik Action Plan, outlining goals for the next five-year period.
In regard to human rights, Croatia in May presented to the Human Rights Council its national report on the status of human rights as part of the second cycle of Universal Periodic Review. Croatia’s commitment to upholding and advancing human rights is also confirmed by its candidacy at the next year’s Human Rights Council elections.
The United Nations is the most important dialogue platform and a place to ensure a prospective future for next generations. Therefore it is crucial to continue the reforms and processes that will enhance the UN work methods and make them more transparent. Significant results have been achieved in the past decade, but modalities of the Security Council still have to be harmonized in order to adapt it to the present-day reality.
In 2015 Croatia co-chaired the ad hoc working group on the revitalization of the work of the General Assembly, whose resolution proposal was adopted at the session of 11 September. The focus point was the process of nominating and electing the UN secretary general, which according to the resolution should be more transparent. Croatia is to co-chair the working group again at UNGA 70.
In its foreign policy activities, Croatia will continue its engagement in further strengthening the UN systems in dealing with significant issues such as sustainable development, respect of human rights and fundamental freedom, combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction, migration, reconstruction in post-conflict countries, climate change, informatization of society and numerous others.