Artuković thanked council members for their confidence, saying it was a great honour but also a responsibility to represent young Croats living outside their homeland.
The advisory body brings together young representatives of Croats from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatian minorities in European countries and the Croatian diaspora in Europe and overseas.
The inaugural session also adopted the council's rules of procedure and elected four vice-presidents: Robert Tokić, representing Croats from Bosnia and Herzegovina; Marko Vidaček, representing Croatian national minorities; Anna Maria Arapović, representing the overseas diaspora; and Eva Zacharis, representing the Croatian diaspora in Europe.
Artuković said the council's goal was to connect Croatian communities, encourage cooperation, the exchange of ideas and joint projects, and demonstrate that young people could drive positive change. He added that members intended to justify the trust placed in them through dedicated work, open dialogue and practical initiatives benefitting young Croats around the world.
He described the homeland as "not only a place but a feeling", saying the council sought to turn that sense of belonging into lasting cooperation and a strong network of young people contributing to the preservation of Croatian identity and closer ties between Croatia and Croats abroad.
The Central State Office for Croats Abroad said council members had shown strong interest in improving the position of young Croats living abroad, strengthening cooperation among Croatian communities, preserving the Croatian language, culture and national identity, expanding scientific, educational and economic cooperation, fostering networking and creating more opportunities for return and professional links with Croatia.
The government's advisory body has 65 members aged 18 to 30, nominated by Croatian organisations abroad and appointed by the government.
The inaugural session was attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, State Secretary Zvonko Milas, Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman and Chair of the parliamentary Committee on Croats Abroad Zdravka Bušić.