Co-facilitators,
Croatia aligns itself with the statement made earlier today by the European Union, and would like to make a few remarks in its national capacity.
We would like to express our gratitude and support to the co-facilitators for conveying this introductory session of the negotiations for defining the new Sustainable Development Goals. Croatia welcomes the Open Working Group (OWG) Outcome Document on SDGs as the main basis and a solid foundation for the Post-2015 Development Agenda. We would also like to thank the Secretary General and his team for their contribution to this process through the Synthesis Report.
Croatia hopes that the intergovernmental negotiations will lead to a stronger integration and interlinking of the main UN pillars: providing the inclusive and sustainable social and economic development, while paying close attention to maintenance of peace and security, all together intertwined with the human rights and the Rule of Law. The said concept should not remain yet another catch-phrase from the UN global language; on the contrary, we see it as the only possible way forward.
This is even more evident, since sustainable development goals, as the most important part of the UN agenda beyond 2015, are much more than theoretical outline for development– they should also be understood as an investment in the realization of global peace, security and human rights.
Co-facilitators,
We strongly support transformative and universal nature of the future Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, we also support the findings of the Report of the Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, calling for a transformative shift in the development process that includes all social groups and stakeholders, leaving no one behind.
Croatia is dedicated to close cooperation with all partners in reaching a consensus on this important subject. We are also looking forward to participate in negotiations on the key global instrument for the next 15 years, while at the same time making sure that the September Summit will end with success.
Finally, we are pleased to note that the Security Council is today also discussing the topic of Inclusive Development for the Maintenance of International Peace and Security.
I thank you.
