Croatia, 2009

We have

assembled once again to discuss the situation in the

world, outline the problems our countries face and

present our views on the world we live in. The

President of the General Assembly has offered a topic

for discussion, one which, I would say, perfectly

reflects current circumstances and the tasks arising

from them.

What kind of world are we discussing here? A

globalized world? By all means. An interconnected and

interdependent world? Without any doubt. A world of

great discrepancies and major threats? Certainly. In

brief, our world is such that there are practically no

longer regional problems and crises, since each and

every issue, no matter how much it may appear to be

regional, reveals itself as global in terms of its

consequences.

Our world is still dominated by developed and

most developed countries; while developing countries

are desperately lagging behind, struggling with hunger,

the inability to educate their citizens and the lack of

even the most basic health care. Can we be content

with such a world? Without any hesitation, I respond

that, no, we cannot.

In our world there are many States as well as

groups that are united in their inclination to use terror

as a means of action and to resort to force to achieve

their goals. Admittedly, confrontation between the

blocs no longer exists. A balance of fear between

super-Powers is non-existent, but our world has hardly

become more secure, while peace has hardly become

more stable. Can we be content with such a world?

Again, without any hesitation, I respond that, no, we

cannot.

Our world is ultimately still dominated by an

economic model that is self-evidently exhausted and

has now reached a stage where it is itself generating

crises and causing hardship to millions of people. If

one attempts to save that already obsolete model at any

cost, and if one stubbornly defends a system based on

greed and devoid of any social value worth

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mentioning, there can be only one result: social unrest

harbouring the potential to erupt into social insurgence

on a global scale.

Can we accept such prospects? I respond with the

utmost resolution that, no, we cannot, and must not. It

is up to us to embark now upon the enormous task of

creating a new world order — not returning to anything

that existed before, but creating something new: an

order that will in the end provide a life worthy of

humankind for each person and equal chances for all,

and not one that writes off those who are in dire need

through no fault of their own and those who at the end

of their lives are viewed as useless and therefore

unworthy of any support.

It is up to us to dispel prejudices more resolutely

than ever before, to stand up to discrimination on

whatever grounds, to say no to intolerance and to

promote not only the idea but also the practice of

multilateralism and dialogue among civilizations. That

is the only way towards building global peace, security

and development as vital preconditions for lasting and

stable peace.

Fortunately, the world has emerged from a

potentially very dangerous period of unipolarism and is

now on a path towards multipolarism. However, the

world is still in the process of learning that only

dialogue can help us to build mutual trust and

understanding. It is not yet ready to face the fact that it

is not a crime to be different and that our future can be

found only in unity through diversity — of course,

under the condition of full equality and strict

observance of human rights and in line with the United

Nations conventions.

With the simultaneous drift from unipolarism and

a shift towards multipolarism, we have to understand

and accept that though we have established a set of

universal values, we have not, will not and cannot

establish a single model of social and economic

relations applicable to all. The specific features of

individual nations and civilizations must be respected,

since there is no reason why anyone should renounce

something that is part of his cultural or traditional

heritage.

Finally, a world characterized by international

peace, security and development is not possible

without disarmament, in particular without renouncing

nuclear weapons. This was the topic of my address in

the Security Council this morning. I would like to

mention in addition the notorious fact that problems of

development would become minor if the huge funds

currently allocated for armament were channelled into

development.

I reiterate: the task before us is enormous. Let us

show courage and political will to grapple with it. The

Republic of Croatia, although a small country, is ready

to make its contribution. Although my ten-year term is

nearing its end and this is the last time I stand at this

rostrum, I will just say that I shall continue to place my

skills at the service of achieving this noble goal.