Croatia highlights importance of stronger UN role

Croatia on Wednesday underlined the importance of a stronger United Nations (UN) role in world affairs, saying that this is "in the interest of all nations".

Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, president of Croatia, made the statement while addressing the General Debate of the UN General Assembly, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Strengthening the role of the UN and promoting international relations and economic order is in the interest of all nations," the president said.

"This is not an empty phrase, but a reality we must constantly be mindful of," she said.

"Can we truly say that we are doing enough to ensure peace, security and human rights? Are we doing enough to protect our Planet, the only one we have?" she asked.

"Member states, all 193 of us, should not forget how important membership is, nor how important the commitments that we have made are, to ensuring global peace and security."

Croatia, a former Yugoslav republic, joined the UN in 1992.

"Throughout its membership, Croatia has transformed itself from the recipient of UN assistance and an item of the Security Council's agenda, to an active member supporting the work of our organisation in many fields," she added.