CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN IN DIPLOMACY. Norway (24.06.2024)

Human Rights Council 56th Session. 

CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN IN DIPLOMACY

Statement delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN, Permanent Representative of Norway.                                                            

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24.06.2024

I am glad to be here and thank the President, Bolivia and Un Women for convening us. I will be brief, but I felt the need to point out that while many questions we discuss in this room are very complex - some are thankfully not - like the fact that increased participation of women in diplomacy - like in business or any other sphere of society- makes for better decisions, better outcomes.

I simply have a hard time thinking of any foreign policy objective, from peace to economic growth and back - that is not more efficiently attained through making sure the interests of women are taken into account.

To protect women at risk of having their rights violated- but more importantly - to make sure we leverage the talent and resources of women and the potential they hold for change.

I am glad therefore that we are on the way to do better in international Geneva - in terms of leadership in the agencies and in terms of the 67 female PRs that I so enjoy working alongside.

Let’s make sure that trend is accelerated and replicated elsewhere, we remain an exception and not the rule - and we don’t have the 150 years Doreen Bogdan Martin spoke of.