ANDREJ PLENKOVIĆ, Prime Minister of Croatia, said the world is “increasingly ablaze”.  With the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine continuing into its third year, he voiced concern about the nuclear safety of that country, which has a cross-border impact.  Pointing out “the looming threat of a wider conflict in the Middle East”, he called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and urged both sides to engage in genuine negotiations to end hostilities.  Reversing the trend of a humanitarian and civilian catastrophe unfolding in Sudan should be a priority for all of us, he said, highlighting “the context of increasing fragmentation of the security architecture” on the African continent.

The “world’s constitution” — the Charter of the United Nations — must be upheld more than ever before, he said, urging not only to avoid conflict, but to reduce the already heightened risks of escalation.  As the Vice-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, Croatia supports strengthening the links between the three pillars of the UN, he said, adding:  “There is no peace without sustainable development and no sustainable development without peace.”  Highlighting his country’s national strategy that balances economic growth and social stability with environmental stewardship, he detailed how the global digital transformation is reflected in the country’s State and public administration, businesses and society.

On climate change, he said Croatia’s location in the Mediterranean — one of the world’s regions expected to be hit hardest by climate change — made promotion of nature-based solutions one of the main national tools for climate change adaptation and mitigation.  “We need to strengthen the multilateral system of dealing with climate, biodiversity and sustainable development,” he said.  A more peaceful, equal and sustainable world can only be achieved through respect for human rights, he said, voicing his country’s commitment to further champion the cause of human rights.  More so, committed to eradicating domestic violence and violence against women, Croatia has introduced “femicide as a distinct criminal offence”.  He further announced that his country will lead the efforts by a cross-regional group of countries at the UN to proclaim the International Day of Deafblindness.

Voicing his support for the reform of the General Assembly and the Security Council, he stressed the need to make the UN Secretariat “fit for purpose”, adding that the selection of the Secretary-General and other high-level posts should be “guided by the principles of merit, transparency, inclusiveness, gender and geographic rotation”.  Turning to regional issues in the Balkans, he underscored the importance of stability and security of neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, which can be achieved by guaranteeing “the constitutional full equality” of Croats, Bosniaks and Serbs and respect for the Dayton-Paris Agreement.