Plenary Meetings

"In a world that struggles with food production, it is completely unacceptable that large amounts of fish go to waste, because they are simply discarded – thrown over board", said the Norwegian Ambassador Morten Wetland in a statement on the Law of the sea. Read more

"A further deterioration in the economic and social situation of Palestinians – especially in the Gaza Strip – could further undermine the peace efforts", Ambassador Morten Wetland warned in his speech in the General Assembly on the situation in the Middle East.  Read more

– As Governments, we must do all in our power to extend the protection of all human rights to all without distinction of any kind, said Hjálmar W. Hannesson Permanent Representative of Iceland to the UN on behalf of the five Nordic countries. Read more

"We hold the firm view that freedom of religion cannot be achieved without freedom of speech. And freedom of speech is a prerequisite for any valuable dialogue since a dialogue is not a dialogue, but a shared monologue, if it does not encourage expression of different views without fear," said Ambassador Morten Wetland in his speech on the High-level meeting of Culture of Peace. Read more

"Norway is committed to continue making significant and predictable contributions to the UN Central Emergency Fund, Common Humanitarian Funds and UN humanitarian appeals" said Ambassador Morten Wetland in his statement on the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance to the General Assambly. Read more

Norway highlighted the importance of next years election in his Statement on the situation in Afghanistan ; "It is the UNDP which is advising the Afghan government on how to register voters and inform about the election. And they do so with great skills and creativity. Of the more than 820.000 voters registered in the first phase of this process, women make up 38 per cent", said Ambassador Mo Read more

Ambassador Mona Juul expressed Norway’s continuing support and full recognition of the work of the International Criminal Court during the debate on The Report of the ICC on Thursday 30 October. Read more

"All States must honour their international obligation to cooperate with regard to requests for full and effective assistance to the Tribunals" said Ambassador Mona Juul in a Statement held in The General Assembly by on Monday 13. Read more

"As we all know, achieving the MDGs on health by 2015 will be difficult, but possible. There is a real danger that the appalling mortality figures for children and women in childbirth will continue – unless countries, agencies, NGOs and partners greatly improve their efforts. This can be done!" said Ambassador Johan L. Løvald at the General Assembly thematic debate on the MDGs. Read more

"The final aim of our discussions should be to reach towards a common understanding on management reform and on the need to enhance our efforts to achieve sustained management reforms in the organization," said Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson of Iceland on behalf of the Nordic countries at the General Assembly informal thematic debate "Toward a Common Understanding on Management Reform". Read more

"An empowered joint meeting of boards could provide the decision-making and monitoring needed in regard to the unified UN country programmes," said H.E. Ambassador Johan L. Løvald at the Informal Meeting of the General Assembly on United Nations System-wide Coherence Governance 17 April 2008. Read more

The Nordic countries welcomed the stated intention of the co-chairs to focus on the issue of gender in the month of May at the Informal Meeting of the General Assembly on United Nations System-wide Coherence Governance 17 April 2008. Read more

Statement made by H. E. Ambassador Johan L. Løvald in the Informal Meeting of the United Nations Member States on System-wide Coherence New York, Thursday 7 February, 2008. Read more

Thursday 25 September Prime Minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg gave his speech at the United Nations General Assemblys 63rd session. Read more

The Nordic countries emphasized the importance of seeking partnerships and coherence in peacebuilding efforts, and stressed the need to further improve the efficiency of the Peacebuilding fund in a statement held by the Permanent Representative of Iceland to the UN, Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson in the General Assembly Plenary. Read more

Ambassador Johan Løvald welcomed the Secretary General's report "In Larger Freedom" and said that the strengthening of the UN system is necessary to enable the organization to deal with the global challenges that lies ahead. Read more

 "If we fail to take a long-term perspective in our fight against terrorist groups today, we risk undermining our own goals", said Senior Adviser Carl P. Salicath, Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the debate about the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Read more

"Lack of concern about and knowledge of HIV, together with attitudes towards people living with HIV, poses a major challenge in the fight against stigma and discrimination," said Ms. Rigmor Aasrud, State Secretary of Health and Care Services, at the High-level meeting on HIV/AIDS 10 June 2008. Read more

"A comprehensive Security Council reform is an essential component of the overall United Nations reform, and progress is needed to strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of the whole organization," said Ambassador Ms. Kirsti Lintonen of Finland on behalf of the Nordic countries in the Open-ended Working Group meeting on Security Council reform. Read more

“It is our view that peacebuilding is more of a priority in Sierra Leone and Burundi now than one year ago,” Ambassador and chair of the Peacebuilding Commission’s work in Burundi, Johan L. Løvald, stated as the General Assembly debated the first annual reports of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Peacebuilding Fund. Read more