STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 60th Session
Item 2: General Debate
Statement delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN,
Permanent Representative of Norway.
Check against delivery
10 September 2025
President,
In two weeks, our leaders will meet in New York, in a time marked by profound instability. Their most important task will be to deliver a UN equipped for the twenty-first century. This is at the heart of the UN80 initiative. Norway fully supports the Secretary-General in this endeavour. His endeavor is also ours.
The Pact for the Future sets the course. The UN Charter, the Universal Declaration and the human rights treaties are a roadmap to a better world for all. The UN80 process should result in a strengthened human rights pillar in three ways.
First, an adequate, and sustainably financed OHCHR must continue to be the authoritative voice on human rights. Its independent mandate must be protected. Human rights' catalytic effect on the other pillars - peace and security and development - must be fully harnessed.
Second, the treaty bodies are the authoritative voice on the interpretation of human rights law. The idea of a single unified body should be explored.
Third, this Council is the most important intergovernmental organ on human rights. We should strengthen its capacity to deliver results and implement its norm giving mandate.
President,
The UN should work together, as One, to strengthen the respect for Human Rights. The yardstick of success continues to be the real-world difference that we can make in the lives of people.
I thank you.