Ladies and gentlemen,
State Secretary Davidsen and I are very proud to be here et the High-Level Political Forum tov present Norway’s third Voluntary National Review.
With this honest report Norway’s political commitment to the universality of the 2030
Agenda is reaffirmed. In the report we show how we integrate the SDGs across all government policies through a whole-of-government approach.
We are happy to report solid progress in most goal areas, supported by a strong welfare state, high levels of trust, and relatively low inequality.
Norway performs particularly well on goals related to poverty, health, gender equality, clean energy, reduced inequalities, and partnerships. However, as for many developed countries, high consumption patterns and environmental pressures are identified as key challenges for sustainable development going forward. As Minister for International Development, I am therefore particularly proud of our progress on SDG 17.
International cooperation is essential for addressing transboundary challenges, especially health, peace and security, climate change, environmental degradation, and resource use.
Partnerships between many actors, at home and abroad, are key to sharing knowledge,
mobilizing resources, and accelerating mutual global progress.
Our report underlines the value of inclusive participation, with contributions from global
networks of NGOs, businesses, and other stakeholders. And particularly I would like to thank our peer review partners, the DRC, Tanzania, Brazil and Finland, for helping us make a better report.
I would like to be clear, Norway sees international cooperation not as an add-on, but as a core condition for achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Before I leave it to State Secretary Davidsen to present some of the findings in more detail, I would like to highlight the importance of a well-functioning multilateral system in our work with the VNR.
Without the multisectoral expertise, support and services rendered by the UN we could not have made a report of this magnitude and scope.
As the UN is reforming itself, the VNR-process, in my opinion, should serve as an example of how the UN strategically and holistically could work with governments moving forward.
Thank you.