Post-2015 negotiations on Sustainable Development Goals,
Session on Goals and Targets
New York, 22 July 2015.
Distinguished co-facilitators,
Ladies and gentlemen:
Croatia fully aligns itself to the statements delivered by the European Union on Goals and Targets and by the Permanent Representative of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends on Culture and Development and would like to add some remarks in national capacity:
Croatia continues to support the efforts that have been made so far in order to make the focused proposals for technical adjustments of certain targets an integral part of the future outcome document of the post-2015 agenda.
In that aspect, we cannot stress enough the importance of aligning them to the already existing international standards. Therefore, we shall continue to support the proposed solution for target 14. c, on protection of seas and oceans, and the adequate introduction of the UNCLOS. The said convention deserves its adequate reference herein, since it is the fundamental international legal instrument that comprehensively regulates the law of the sea.
Another issue that we would like to address is the role of the culture in sustainable development. As culture is the cornerstone and the fabric of every society and an integral part of every national identity, it can also play an important role as a bridge of understanding and tolerance between different nations and within multi-structured societies. As such, it more than deserves to be systematically included in the SDGs.
While echoing the message of the esteemed Permanent Representative of Peru delivered earlier this week on the importance of culture and development, in particular through its interconnection with innovations or creating jobs in the related fields, Croatia would also like to stress the importance of links between culture and education.
After all, through common development of education and culture, we are contributing to overall global development. By doing so, we are making investments in human capital by means of cultured, educated, self-confident, tolerant and open-minded individuals. That is why education and culture, being important drivers of social change, should be continuously high on the list of our global priorities and that is why we have to strive to keep them on high levels of quality and availability to all.
Based on these premises, Croatia will continue to actively advocate the main tasks and goals of the Group of Friends on Culture and Development.
Thank you!
