Chair,
The prime responsibility for implementing the 2030 Agenda rests with member states. The UN development system has, however, an important role in supporting national governments in their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2030 Agenda requires transformative change. It paves the way for new and strategic partnerships. And it provides an opportunity to make the UN Development system better fit for purpose. We believe the moment for UN reform is now.
We need a UN Development System that is results-oriented, strategic, coordinated and focused. A system that does “the right things” in “the right place” to support member states in implementing the 2030 Agenda and sustaining peace. An independent Resident Coordinator with enhanced authority is key in this regard.
Funding itself can be a driver – or an impediment - for change. Too much earmarking makes it hard for the system to deliver as one. Core resources remain crucial, especially to fund normative functions and policy advice. Likewise, we need more use of other flexible funding modalities, in particular inter-agency funding mechanisms that provide incentives for UN entities to work together
Chair,
The Norwegian level of development assistance – currently at 1 per cent of gross national income – continues to enjoy broad political and popular support in Norway.
Norway is proud to be among the top contributors to the UN development system.
Norway will continue to be a main provider of core funding to the system. We will increase our core support to UNFPA, UN-Women and WFP. Burden sharing is an important multilateral principle, and we encourage other member states to increase their core contributions to ensure that the organization can deliver on its mandate.
The Norwegian Parliament is yet to finalize the budget for 2018. All the following figures are hence subject to parliamentary approval. In this context, Norway is pleased to present some of our tentative voluntary core contributions for 2018:
- UNDP: 535 million NOK (approximately 65 million USD), plus 35 million NOK in flexible thematic support.
- UNICEF: 410 million NOK (approximately 50 million USD), plus 70 million NOK in flexible thematic support.
- UNFPA: 500 million NOK (approximately 61 million USD)
- UNHCR: 350 million NOK (approximately 43 million USD)
- WFP: 290 million NOK (approximately 35 million USD)
- UNRWA: 125 million NOK (approximately 15 million USD)
- UNAIDS: 130 million NOK (approximately 16 million USD)
- UN Women: 85 million NOK (approximately 10 million USD)
Norway will also continue to provide substantial support for humanitarian and human rights purposes, including to OCHA and 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, mainly in the form of softly earmarked contributions. A substantial part of these will go to inter-agency pooled funds and joint programmes, such as the Peacebuilding Fund, in line with the integrated approaches called for in the 2030 Agenda.
Finally, Norway provides substantial funding to global thematic funds and initiatives for education and health, where the UN is actively engaged and benefits financially.
Chair,
In conclusion, 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.
I thank you