Chair,
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries; Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway.
Armed conflicts on all continents have triggered a steep increase in humanitarian crisis and millions of displaced. With the historical high number of 123 million refugees and forcibly displaced persons, the challenges of providing protection and support are overwhelming. There are few signs that this concerning trend will be reversed any time soon.
While seeking to protect and assist displaced persons in humanitarian crises, we too often face situations where parties to conflict fail to comply with their obligation to follow International Humanitarian Law. This has an immediate and devastating impact on civilians and on the humanitarians trying to assist them.
To reduce displacement, conflicts must end. People should not be forced to flee in the first place.
Chair,
We would like to highlight a few thematic issues of particular importance to the Nordic countries.
First, protection must remain the overarching priority for UNHCR’s work. We welcome the continued efforts to strengthen and advocate for the protection of refugees and other persons of concern. We are particularly concerned about the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence. As reported by the High Commissioner, one in five refugee women are subjected to sexual violence. Displaced and stateless women and girls remain disproportionally affected by gender-based violence, but it is important to acknowledge that also men and boys are victims of sexual and gender-based violence.
Second, we would also like to reiterate the importance of UNHCR applying their Age Gender and Diversity approach across all its operation. The key is to ensure that the response is without discrimination on any grounds and that it is truly inclusive of all persons in vulnerable situations. Be it because of disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or other factors.
Third, as forced displacement and statelessness has grown in scope, scale and complexity, we must strive for a comprehensive approach to humanitarian efforts, long-term development assistance, conflict resolution and peace building with an unwavering focus on securing sustainable solutions. In this context we want to underscore our strong support for UNHCR’s route-based approach, as well as the importance of UNHCR’s promotion of voluntary, safe and dignified return.
Fourth, it is widely recognized that climate change can be a significant contributing factor to the movement of persons within and across borders. In this regard, we welcome UNHCR’s strategic plan for climate action 2024-2030, to accelerate advocacy for protection of and solutions for displaced persons, as well as inclusion of climate action in national adaptation plan and resilience programmes.
Fifth, by the end of 2023, the number of internally displaced persons was a record high with 75,9 million. We commend UNHCR’s enhanced efforts to protect and support internally displaced persons, including the launch last month of its Focus area strategic plan for protection and solutions for IDPs 2024-2030. Efforts to follow up of the Secretary-General’s Action Agenda must be continued, also following the expiration of the mandate of the Special Adviser on Solutions at the end of this year.
Chair,
The Nordic countries’ commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees is steadfast, as it continues to serve as a critical framework to strengthen burden- and responsibility sharing in the search for sustainable solutions. The second Global Refugee Forum demonstrated enhanced global solidarity with refugees and stateless persons. It also served to demonstrate the generosity shown by hosting countries.
In a situation where the needs far exceed available resources, and a concern that many crises are both underfunded and overlooked, it was encouraging that many of the pledges made at the GRF were related to funding. Nordic countries were involved in the formulation of a multi-stakeholder pledge on quality humanitarian funding for refugee situations. In line with Grand Bargain commitments, the pledge focuses on ensuring that a greater share of contributions to UNHCR are multi-year, unearmarked and flexible, thereby allowing it to prioritize funding where the needs are greatest and to allow for longer-term planning. We invite more countries to join the endeavor.
Chair,
The annual UNHCR omnibus resolution supports the humanitarian and non-political mandate of UNHCR. This year it has been Norway’s privilege to facilitate the informal consultations on the resolution.
We wish to thank all Member States for their constructive engagement and for concluding a text that enjoys strong cross-regional support. Being a humanitarian resolution, we all bear a joint responsibility for its adoption by consensus. We encourage all Member States to co-sponsor the resolution and thereby show their support to UNHCR’s work and mandate. This is the time to show unity and solidarity with the unprecedented number of persons forcibly displaced, and the generous communities and countries hosting them.
Let me also use this occasion to inform that the negotiated draft resolution is tentatively scheduled for action by the Third Committee on Wednesday 13 November.
Chair,
In conclusion, let me reiterate the Nordic countries’ strong political and financial support to the important mandate of UNHCR. We appreciate and acknowledge that, even under the most challenging and dangerous circumstances, UNHCR personnel and implementing partners “stay and deliver”.
Thank you