I have the honour to introduce a pre-recorded statement of His Excellency Mr. Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Iceland.
Surrounded by the sea, throughout their history Icelanders have based their existence, to a great extent, on ocean-related activities. The sustainable use of living marine resources is the basis of our prosperity. Robust and healthy marine ecosystems are central to our foreign policy, and this past …
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries, namely, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Iceland.
Today we celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an unprecedented promise by nations to the children of the …
Iceland thanks the President of the Human Rights Council for his briefing on the Council’s report (A/74/53 and A/74/53/Add.1), which invites us to reflect upon the functioning and work of the Council.
Iceland is a strong supporter of multilateral cooperation and the United Nations. We believe that …
Next year we will celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations. This fundamental cornerstone of the international rules-based order, along with other important building blocks, has served us well. We live in a world that has become ever more interconnected, and the most demanding ch…
Iceland aligns itself with the statement made yesterday by the representative of Sweden on behalf of States members of the Group of Western European and other States.
Today we commemorate the centenary of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a milestone that reaffirms the strength and resil…
I would first like to thank you, Madam President, as well as Argentina, Italy and Norway, for organizing this important event.
As we commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universal…
The two draft resolutions under discussion today, on sustainable fisheries (A/73/L.41) and oceans and the law of the sea (A/73/L.35), relate to issues that are at the core of Iceland’s economy, history and identity, indeed its very existence. It is therefore difficult to overstate the importance of …
I am speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Iceland.
Let me start by thanking Ambassador Nusseibeh and Ambassador Braun for agreeing to co-chair the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform during this session. We wish them …
The United Nations has played a critical role in promoting peace and development for all. Most indices measuring human development tell a positive story — a story of our shared success. It is a story we should tell more often.
Technological advances and social and economic progress that we never e…
Allow me first to thank the presidency of Peru for having convened this quarterly meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. I would also like to thank Mr. Mladenov for his comprehensive and thoughtful briefing this morning.
Allow me also to join other speakers in expressing my…
I would first like to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this high-level meeting.
The situation in Syria and Yemen, the repeated use of chemical weapons, the record numbers of refugees and displaced persons — all worrying examples in our world — demand a new approach.
Unfort…
I would like to thank the Peruvian presidency of the Security Council for convening today’s open debate on youth and peace and security. I also thank the briefers for their excellent statements. The independent progress study on youth and peace and security (see S/2018/86) is very informative, and M…
Allow me first to thank the presidency of Kazakhstan for convening this quarterly meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
The Middle East region faces ongoing major conflicts and multiple humanitarian crises. The humanitarian situation in Syria remains marked by unparalleled…
For centuries, Icelanders have based their existence and livelihood on the conservation and sustainable use of the resources of the sea — literally living and dying by the ocean. For that reason, healthy oceans and sustainable fisheries have been at the core of Iceland’s ocean policy for decades. We…
Iceland is pleased to participate in today’s meeting, as it gives us an opportunity to restate our firm commitment to the fight against human trafficking. It is a particularly cruel crime to prey on those who cannot defend themselves and to separate them from their loved ones for the purpose of bene…
We live in a world of opportunity. Never have we had such potential to end poverty, hunger and violations of human rights, and focus on people striving for a decent life. We can either succeed or we can fail. It is a choice; it is a decision. It is our responsibility and it is our task. This task is…
Despite the ongoing reports of terrorist outrages that continue to devastate communities around the world, we can draw some encouragement from the progress achieved in realigning efforts in the United Nations to fight this scourge of our time.
At the outset, I would like to pay tribute to the Secre…
Allow me to thank the United States presidency of the Security Council for organizing today’s quarterly debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.
Allow me to also thank Mr. Mladenov for his briefing.
The Middle East region remains in a state of turmoil. Comple…
