Allow me first of all to thank the Costa Rican presidency for organizing this open debate on Bosnia in the Security Council, and to voice our satisfaction at seeing you, Mr. Foreign Minister, presiding over this important meeting. It is indeed an honour to take the floor under your presidency.
We s…
The Norwegian Government shares the deep concern of the world community with respect to the use of anti-personnel mines in conflict areas. The primary victims of these mines continue to be unarmed civilians, particularly children and women. Anti-personnel landmines have devastating effects by making…
On behalf of the Russian Federation, the United States of America and my own country, Norway — the sponsors of draft resolution A/52/L.62, entitled “Middle East peace process” — I wish to inform the Assembly that the sponsors have decided to withdraw that draft resolution for the moment. Since simil…
Three years ago, we all witnessed the unprecedented cycle of violence that ravaged Rwanda and shocked international public opinion. It was very quickly clear that there was overwhelming evidence to suspect that acts of genocide and other serious violations of humanitarian law had been committed. The…
Exactly a year has passed since the adoption by the General Assembly of the last “positive resolution” on the Middle East peace process. With few exceptions, it has not been a good year for the peace process. The work of the General Assembly has reflected increasing frustration on both sides, as wel…
The making of a new international order of the oceans required 15 years of
Seen from the perspective of a country such as Norway, whose society is highly dependent on peaceful uses of the seas, this framework contributes substantially to both legal certainty and international stability. It is again…
Since its summit meeting in Paris in 1990, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has demonstrated increased capacity to cooperate and coordinate with the United Nations and other security-related organizations in handling regional crises. The OSCE has developed adequate poli…
The General Assembly has now adopted a resolution that gives an important political signal to the international community that there
It was only in July this year that the Secretary-General challenged the Member States by submitting the most comprehensive plan for change in the history of the Unite…
I am honoured to address the General Assembly on the important item of cooperation between the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The basis for this cooperation is the agreement between the two organizations signed last year. That agreement provides a very useful platform for th…
Since the beginning of the peace process in the Middle East, Norway has attempted to facilitate mutual understanding and
We do, however, believe that it is the duty and responsibility of the parties themselves to solve the current crisis and agree on the outstanding issues. Recently, the parties ha…
The Norwegian Government welcomes the draft resolution prepared for adoption today by the Security Council. This draft resolution would authorize a Stabilization Force (SFOR) to carry on the work so successfully started by the Implementation Force (IFOR) in contributing to the implementation of the …
The celebration today of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is scarred by the sad reality that modern forms of slavery continue to exist, particularly in abominable practices such as trafficking in human persons for sexual exploitation and forced labour, including minors. The main vi…
I should first of all like to thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive and informative report on assistance in mine clearance.
The Norwegian Government is deeply concerned by the increasing use of anti-personnel landmines in conflict areas. The primary victims of such mines are unarmed civ…
I have the honour to speak on this agenda item on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway.
Allow me first to say that the Nordic countries consider reform of the Security Council an urgent priority. We have therefore participated actively in the …
My delegation fully supports the statement made by the representative of the European Union. We would like, however, to make a few additional comments regarding the follow-up of the 20/20 initiative.
The World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen was a manifestation of a growing consensus th…
Allow me first of all to say on behalf of my delegation that we deem the progress made towards achieving the goals set for children’s development in the 1990s in the field of health to be promising, and, in some areas, truly impressive. The global trends in the areas of immunization and control of p…
Allow me first of all to salute the presence in the General Assembly Hall yesterday of the President of the Lebanese Republic. We listened with the greatest attention to his statement, and we attach the utmost importance to the testimony he gave on behalf of his war-torn and troubled country. I woul…
In the Council debate last Monday, I had the opportunity to express the deep concern of the Norwegian Government with regard to the critical and fragile state of the peace process in the Middle East, and to urge the parties involved in the use of force in southern Lebanon and northern Israel to stop…
Allow me first to congratulate you, Sir, upon your assumption of the presidency for the month of April. It is indeed a pleasure to see you presiding over this important meeting. Allow me also to congratulate the Permanent Representative of Botswana, Ambassador Legwaila, for the excellent manner in w…
In my capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa (UNETPSA), I am pleased to introduce the report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/50/750 and the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.65. I have b…
