From September 22 to 29, 2024, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman attended the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During his time at the session, Grlić Radman participated in several significant events, including an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, a ministerial meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission, a meeting of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU-CELAC), and a high-level meeting on Ukraine. On the sidelines of the assembly, the minister also held several important bilateral meetings with his counterparts. While in the U.S., he visited Croatian communities in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
At the UN General Assembly, Grlić Radman took part in the "Summit of the Future," which brought together world leaders to discuss key challenges in global governance. The summit concluded with the adoption of the "Pact for the Future," addressing a range of topics, including peace, security, sustainable development, climate change, digital cooperation, human rights, youth, future generations, and other important areas. On the sidelines, he also joined EU foreign ministers at the Western Balkans Friends Group meeting, where the future of the region and support for its European path were reaffirmed. Grlić Radman emphasized the importance of ensuring stability, progress, and integration for Bosnia and Herzegovina, pledging continued joint efforts toward its EU membership.
At the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, Grlić Radman and his colleagues exchanged views on current global challenges, particularly the situation in Ukraine. The ministers agreed to continue supporting Ukraine while also highlighting the need to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. Grlić Radman also attended a gathering on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (Advancing Sustainable Development through Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI), which focused on how AI can accelerate sustainable development and improve living standards. At a high-level meeting on Ukraine (Supporting Ukrainian Recovery and Reconstruction), it was emphasized that keeping Ukraine at the forefront of the international community’s attention is essential, along with providing aid for the country’s reconstruction and recovery. Minister Grlić Radman noted that Croatia has allocated over $300 million in comprehensive assistance to Ukraine and intends to continue supporting the country.
The Croatian foreign minister also participated in the meeting of EU and CELAC foreign ministers, where a commitment to strengthening bi-regional partnerships between Europe and Latin American countries was reaffirmed. The ministers expressed satisfaction with their collaboration and announced a joint summit to deepen cooperation, to be held in Colombia in 2025. In a quadrilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, Grlić Radman discussed key regional issues, including the situation in the Western Balkans, the Ukraine conflict, EU enlargement, the migrant crisis, and ways to enhance cooperation and stability.
Grlić Radman co-chaired the ministerial meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission, where he emphasized Croatia’s commitment to conflict prevention in peacebuilding. He noted the importance of supporting national strategies, regional cooperation, and ensuring long-term funding for lasting peace, highlighting the critical role of women, youth, and civil society in the process. At a high-level open debate on “Leadership for Peace: United in Respect of the UN Charter in Search of a Secure Future,” the minister stressed the need to uphold the UN Charter's fundamental principles and to ensure effective multilateralism in the face of current global challenges.
On the sidelines of the assembly, Grlić Radman held bilateral meetings with several colleagues to explore new opportunities for cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere. These meetings served to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties while facilitating discussions on global challenges.
As part of the delegation led by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Grlić Radman visited Croatian communities in several U.S. cities, meeting with Croatian businesspeople and community leaders in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. At the Croatian Parish of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and St. Raphael, which gathers Croatians from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, the minister attended a citizenship ceremony, where he expressed his satisfaction with the strong community ties and their commitment to preserving Croatian traditions.
In Los Angeles, Grlić Radman met with representatives of the Croatian community at St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Parish, where he praised their efforts to maintain their Croatian identity and culture, regularly visit their homeland, and invest in it. In Chicago, the minister visited the Croatian Ethnic Institute and participated in the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Croatian Cultural Center. He congratulated the Center for its continuous work in strengthening the Croatian community in Chicago and promoting Croatian culture and heritage by supporting cultural, religious, educational, sports, and social organizations and events.
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