International community must build on momentum created by triple crises and act, says Norway
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âAll are calling for a coordinated response. All stress why we need international cooperation. We need to remember our collective strength, âshe said in a pre-recorded message.
Recalling that âthe United Nations was born out of a crisisâ, she said that âcrises have the potential to increase unity and resolveâ and that the world âmust harness the momentum created and actâ.
Ms. Solberg was one of the speakers on the second high-level day of the week at the General Assembly. After being held virtually last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s gathering will feature “hybrid” activities that will include in-person leaders as well as virtual attendees.
Climate change
Regarding climate change, she said more countries, especially large economies, must raise their level of ambition before COP26, the United Nations Climate Conference which takes place at the end of October in Glasgow.
She said Norway is doing its part and underscored the country’s “new goal of reducing emissions by at least 50 percent – and to 55 percent – by 2030”.
To fight global warming, the Norwegian leader argued that the world urgently needs to restore the health of the ocean.
It took note of the agenda presented by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, whose members have committed to sustainably manage all their ocean areas by 2025.
âIt’s a bold goal. But our ambition is even bolder: we call on all ocean and coastal states to make a similar commitment by 2030, âshe asked.
Covid-19 pandemic
For Ms. Solberg, the COVID-19 pandemic “has shown, once again, that global problems require global solutions” and called for changes in the international system.
âWe must reform and strengthen the global health architecture to prevent, detect and respond to future threats. And we need a fully funded WHO playing a central coordinating role, âshe argued.
She pointed to “a blatant injustice in the distribution of vaccines”, saying the result “is a disconnected world”.
âIt is unacceptable and dangerous. The truth is that the pandemic is not over, and it will not be over anywhere until it is over everywhere, âadded the Prime Minister.
On the recovery, she told member states that they “have the opportunity to do it right” and need to align their efforts with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
âWe must invest in the green transition. We need to invest in people, especially women and girls. And we have to keep the promise of the SDGs, to leave no one behind, âshe said.
Addressing how this recovery can be financed, she called for fair and efficient tax systems and highlighted the agreement reached within the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on a new framework for international tax reform. , calling it a “cheeky milestone.”
Democracy and Foreign Affairs
On a personal note, Ms Solberg recalled that she is running as Prime Minister who lost an election last week. After eight years, his government will step down and hand over to a new administration.
âI hope they will succeed in moving our country forward. I mention this because orderly transitions cannot be taken for granted, âshe said.
She then highlighted a “decline in democracy and respect for human rights”, giving examples from Venezuela to Tigray and Myanmar.
Regarding Afghanistan, she said she was “alarmed and saddened” by recent developments and “will judge the Taliban on their actions, not on their words”.
“The composition of the interim government is discouraging,” she added.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister congratulated the Secretary General for the ârealistic assessmentâ he presented in his âOur Common Agendaâ earlier this month.
âThere is a way forward. We have already charted our course; the 2030 agenda is our roadmap. Letâs not hesitate. Let’s join forces and start right away, âshe concluded.
Full statement in English here.
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