From Ukraine to AI: Plenković sets out Croatia’s priorities at UN

(Photo: Vlada Republike Hrvatske/UN)

NEW YORK, 23 September 2026 – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has used his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly to set out Croatia’s position on some of the major global challenges, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, migration, artificial intelligence, energy security and the future of the United Nations.

Speaking in New York, Plenković said Croatia’s experience of war, post-war reconstruction and European integration had shaped its approach to international cooperation.

He highlighted three principles: rules as a common compass, transformation as a way to build resilience, and trust being earned through results.

Plenković said international law was particularly important for smaller and medium-sized countries, referring to Croatia’s experience during the 1990s war. He said Croatia continues to search for 1,725 people still missing from the conflict.

On Ukraine, he reiterated Croatia’s support for its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and called for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter.

Regarding the Middle East, he stressed the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and respect for international law, while reaffirming Croatia’s support for a negotiated two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.

Plenković also called for reform of the United Nations, including a more representative and effective Security Council. He said the organisation needed to become more effective, accountable and financially sustainable.

Artificial intelligence was among the emerging issues addressed in the speech. Plenković said AI could accelerate development but that its use should remain consistent with legal frameworks, human dignity and democratic accountability.

He also linked climate policy with energy security, arguing that Europe’s reliance on imported energy made greater domestic renewable-energy production a strategic issue as well as an environmental one.

Illegal migration was another major focus. Plenković said Croatia, as a country on the EU’s external border, had a particular responsibility to protect its borders and combat criminal networks involved in illegal migration.

Turning to Southeast Europe, he reiterated Croatia’s support for EU enlargement based on merit and spoke about the importance of reforms and reconciliation in the region.

He also addressed Bosnia and Herzegovina, arguing that electoral reform was needed to ensure legitimate political representation while maintaining the country’s constitutional framework established by the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Plenković presented Croatia’s economic and security development as part of its wider international role. He said the country had doubled the nominal size of its economy over the past decade, reduced public debt and received six consecutive sovereign credit-rating upgrades into the A category. He also noted that Croatia had tripled its defence budget.

On international development, he said Croatia’s official development assistance had increased fivefold between 2016 and 2024, while humanitarian assistance had risen more than 21 times.

Croatia is also seeking the presidency of the UN Economic and Social Council for 2027–2028 and, if elected, Plenković said it would focus on coordination, accountability and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

He concluded by saying Croatia’s experience had shaped its commitment to international cooperation and that the UN remained essential because no country could address today’s global challenges alone.

The 81st UN General Assembly is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”