UN General Assembly
2008

many other reasons, Croatia has decided to present its candidature for membership in the Human Rights Council for the period 2010-2013. We live in a world that has significantly redefined the traditional notion of threats to international peace and security. In an increasingly interconnected world, global threats are taking many forms. Terrorism, poverty, disease, climate change, environmental degradation and rising food prices command that we work together, as only a common vision and collective action, implemented in the spirit of solidarity and responsibility, can counter these challenges. Terrorism attempts to undermine the core values of the modern world and poses a serious challenge to our security, the basic principles of democratic societies and the rights and freedoms of our citizens. Terrorist acts are criminal in nature and cannot be justified under any circumstances. Croatia appreciates and fully supports all efforts in the global struggle against terrorism, within the United Nations system and beyond. Since the beginning of this year, my country has been chairing the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, which was established in the immediate