STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 56th Session.
Item 2 - Presentation of reports and oral updates, followed by General debate
Statement delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN,
Permanent Representative of Norway.
Check against delivery
3 March 2025
Thank you vice President,
Norway greatly appreciates your tireless efforts to promote and protect human rights worldwide. The independence and integrity of your office, agile and fit for purpose, continues to be essential, underpinning the impact and importance of this Council.
We are deeply concerned that multilateralism is under attack at a time when we need it most, and that the steady erosion of human rights standards and norms continues, even accelerates.
It is particularly important at this point, to harness the potential to unite around human rights, to the benefit of all rights-holders – people of any gender, age, diversity – everywhere.
We were heartened by the adoption of the Pact for the Future, affirming that our multilateral efforts are rooted in internation law, including human rights.
In implementing these ambitions, we need to strengthen the OHCHR and the human rights mechanisms, including through adequate, predictable and sustainable financing. We must invest more in the work that we know gives high rates of return, more peaceful, more sustainable and more equal societies. Meaningful and effective civil society participation will still be key to success.
We urge all states to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time. And further to support the adequate funding of the Office and uphold the independence and integrity of its mandate.
Thank you.