Chair,
The global consensus underpinning Agenda 2030 brings the world together in an unprecedented manner. The prime responsibility for implementing the 2030 Agenda rests with Member States. The UN development system is, however, of fundamental importance in supporting national governments in making progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Resource mobilization in the current world economic situation is an ungrateful task for anyone, including the United Nations. However, 2030 Agenda paves the way for new and strategic partnerships in order to succeed in poverty eradication and development.
The 2030 Agenda, along with a changing development landscape, provide opportunities to make the UN Development system we want. The 2030 Agenda requires transformative change. Our ambition should be to make the next Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) an instrument for that change. We need a UN Development System that is results-oriented, strategic, coordinated and focused, doing ‘the right things’ in ‘the right place’ to support Member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda and sustaining peace. Getting this right will be crucial for mobilizing resources for the new development agenda.
And funding, itself, is a driver for change. We believe that core resources remain crucial especially for the normative functions and policy advice. At the same time, we need to go for more use of ‘core-like’ funding modalities, in particular inter-agency funding mechanism that provide incentives to UN organizations to work together.
Chair,
The Norwegian level of development assistance – currently at one per cent of gross national income – continues to enjoy broad political and popular support in Norway.
Norway is among the top contributors to the UN development system. We are proud to say that we are committed to be a champion for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, with a particular emphasis on health and education.
In this context, Norway is pleased to present some of our voluntary core contributions for 2017 (though subject to parliamentary approval):
- UNDP: 535 million NOK (approximately 65 million USD)
- UNICEF: 360 million NOK (approximately 44 million USD), plus 735 million NOK (approximately 90 million USD) in flexible thematic support
- UNFPA: 401 million NOK (approximately 50 million USD)
- UNHCR: 350 million NOK (approximately 43 million USD)
- WFP: 237 million NOK (approximately 28 million USD)
- UNRWA: 125 million NOK (approximately 15 million USD)
- UNAIDS: 120 million NOK (approximately 14 million USD)
- UN Women: 75 million NOK (approximately 9 million USD)
Norway will also continue to provide substantial support for humanitarian and human rights purposes, including to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Central Emergency Trust Fund (CERF), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
As in previous years, Norway will provide global and country-specific non-core funding to individual organizations; to a large extent in the form of softly earmarked contributions. A substantial part of our non-core contributions will be provided to inter-agency pooled funds and joint programmes, as for example the Peacebuilding Fund, in line with the coherent and integrated approaches called for in the 2030 Agenda.
Chair,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the UN development actors for the work they are doing every single day. Let me assure you once again that Norway is, and will continue to be, a strong and loyal supporter.
Thank you.