Allow me to begin by expressing Norway’s continuing support and full recognition of the achievements and the high standards of the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, as reflected in the Tribunals’ well-reasoned judgements and the annual reports before us. We would…
The establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission was a concrete expression of the international community’s commitment to improve and expand its efforts in the area of peacebuilding. The achievements of the Peacebuilding Commission have already been substantial, despite the brief period of its exis…
Today, the issue of religious and cultural identity is receiving more attention and is more central to global relations than ever before. Religion and culture define man and woman, and influence how we interact and relate to one another. Our right to freely choose our religion or belief is clearly s…
Two days ago, world leaders met here in this Hall and made strong statements on the urgent need to address climate change. We heard the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Mr. Pachauri, present compelling evidence on the state of the world climate. He outlined a dire picture o…
The rights of indigenous peoples are of key importance to Norway. We welcome the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, which we believe will help promote the protection of the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide. The Declaration sets a standard of achievem…
Norway welcomes endeavours to increase the involvement of the Security Council in conflict prevention and resolution in Africa. A strong commitment by the Security Council is needed to ensure a coordinated and comprehensive involvement of the international community in preventing and resolving confl…
My Government strongly supports the “Delivering as one” report. We look forward to a process that will ensure a timely follow-up of the set of recommendations. We appreciate this opportunity for a first discussion of the report of the High-level Panel on United Nations System-wide Coherence.
We are…
While Norway attaches great importance to all six core areas of the Monterrey Consensus, today I would like to share with you some thoughts on the need for good governance, with a particular focus on the gender aspect. I would also like to highlight the need for increased development assistance and …
Success in Afghanistan requires the building of Afghan ownership. That must be done through strengthened and coordinated international efforts aimed at the full implementation of the Afghanistan Compact. We believe that the United Nations should play a stronger role. We welcome the expansion of the …
Today’s discussion — like the subsequent discussion in the General Assembly on 6 February — is an important occasion to highlight the importance of peacebuilding. We must maintain and, if possible, further increase the momentum behind our peacebuilding efforts. While our focus at all times must be o…
It is my delegation’s view that the reform of the Security Council constitutes an important part of the overall reform of the United Nations — a process that we as Member States committed ourselves to through the 2005 Summit Outcome Document (resolution 60/1). Norway’s long- standing priority has be…
Norway welcomes the Security Council’s second mission to Afghanistan. The mission was indeed a timely one, as the situation in the country is still cause for grave concern. The report contains important recommendations. I would like to commend Ambassador Oshima and other members of the delegation fo…
Recently we have seen developments in the Middle East that may warrant cautious optimism. We are encouraged to learn about the recent ceasefire in Gaza. We condemn those extremists who, by continuing to fire Qassam missiles into Israeli territory, have tried to undermine that ceasefire, and we comme…
Norway believes that the situation in Afghanistan is a cause for deep concern. The conflict in the southern parts of the country has demonstrated the need for a change of pace in our efforts — those of the international community and those of the Government of Afghanistan. The increasing challenges …
Norway remains a strong supporter of the humanitarian work of the United Nations. We support the reform agenda and the efforts made to strengthen the humanitarian response system. A lot has been done in this regard. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed.
Norway would like th…
It is widely acknowledged that sport can contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. Sport and physical education can present opportunities for solidarity and cooperation in order to promote tolerance, a culture of peace, social and gender equality, adequate resources for the special…
Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) has led to progress. However, much more can and should be done at all levels.
In order to gain a clearer understanding of how resolution 1325 (2000) translates into change on the ground, a review team made up of representatives from the Netherlands, the Unite…
Let me begin by saying that Norway fully recognizes the substantial progress made by the International Criminal Court (ICC) this past year. The Court is steadily integrating itself, including in practice, into the international legal system and the broader framework of international institutions and…
The United Nations is now more at the centre of international affairs than it has been for many years. We see the Secretary-General and his staff driving diplomacy. They are on the ground, moving forward peace efforts in the Middle East and coordinating and sustaining peace operations in Lebanon. Th…
I have the honour to introduce draft resolution A/61/L.2, entitled “Declaration of the high-level meeting of the sixty-first session of the General Assembly on the midterm
comprehensive global review of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2…
