Mr President. I am pleased to make this statement on behalf of Norway. I have three points to make.
First. Combatting racism is crucial for human dignity.
Racial discrimination fuels hate and violence. It denies the truth that all humans are born free and equal in worth and rights.
We are deeply concerned by the global rise in discrimination and racism we see online and offline.
We must strengthen our efforts.to fight all forms of racism. And we must also be mindful of the increasing challenges posed by antisemitism and islamophobia, which are two forms of racism that are distinct, but often interact.
In all this, political leaders have a particularly important role and a great responsibility.
Second. Racism is a global issue. It requires a universal effort that goes beyond national borders.
The UN provides a unique platform for combating racism.
We regret that the Durban process continues to be shaped by past shortcomings. While legitimate concerns should not be disregarded, they should not prevent us from engaging constructively. Going forward, we must focus on what is required to achieve broader consensus internationally.
Third. Practical measures at national level are crucial for the effective implementation of the Durban platform.
The Government of Norway has a clear policy to prevent and combat racism, combining national legislation, dedicated action plans, and specialized oversight bodies.
The Action Plan on Racism and Discrimination is a central and overarching tool guiding our national efforts. The primary focus is on access to and progress within the labor market, and on racism and discrimination experienced by young people.
The Norwegian Government also aims to develop a new strategy against hate speech. We have already implemented several measures. We now aim to take a more coordinated approach through a national strategy that is even more effective and supports social cohesion. In this we need to cooperate internationally.
And finally. Despite progress, there is still a long way to go. In this we must stand together in building societies with equal opportunities for all, and without racism.
Thank you.