Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
The conference in Sevilla was a landmark moment and indeed a highlight for multilateralism.
The positive atmosphere and spirit of collaboration from Sevilla should set a standard for the FFD Forum this year, and in the years to come.
The Sevilla commitment is a carefully negotiated package of actions, with a combined massive potential of driving much-needed progress towards the SDGs. This forum should not be used to debate whether some actions should be elevated above others. This could undermine the integrity of the entire Sevilla Commitment.
Now we must ensure that the Sevilla Commitment is used as our common tool to drive meaningful, tangible change.
Excellencies,
Effective institutions that work together are instrumental in achieving our goals. The FFD process has demonstrated the value of the UN as a universal meeting place for all its member states. My government is deeply committed to an effective, inclusive and representative UN, and a global order based on international law and the UN Charter.
Reform of the UN, the IFIs, other multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organization and the multilateral development banks, is of high priority for the Norwegian Government, with the aim to achieve stronger, more efficient and inclusive
institutions.
Excellencies,
I want to commend Spain for establishing the Sevilla Platform of Action to accelerate implementation.
Recognizing that mobilizing private investment that drive sustainable development and job growth is more important than ever, Norway is actively engaged in relevant SPAs such as the Public Markets Coalition and the Action Plan to achieve private investment mobilization.
We prioritize our national development finance institution, Norfund, and our new guarantee scheme set to boost renewable energy investments. We also stress the link between private investment and domestic resource mobilization: Fair, effective tax systems are key to private sector growth.
I am very pleased that the Sevilla Commitment recognizes data and statistics as
a crosscutting enabler, as well as the value of national statistical systems. Norway co-leads the Sevilla Platform for Action initiative “FFD4 and the Future of Data”, which has recently published a set of recommendations that I would encourage everyone to read.
Norway has launched a process to update our international development policy. The objective is not to reduce budgets but to adapt to a changing global landscape. The Sevilla Commitment will be a key reference in this process.
Excellencies,
We face complex challenges, but the direction from Sevilla is clear. We must now safeguard our agreement from Sevilla and make sure it is translated into real world action. The real test of our commitment is not the words we say, but what we deliver.
Thank you.