Human Rights Council – 63rd Session
Panel on progress, challenges and opportunities in promoting and
protecting economic,social and cultural rights
within the context of addressing inequalities.
Statement delivered by Iceland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States
9 September 2026
President,
I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.
We reaffirm that all human rights are universal and intertwined, and that economic, social, and cultural rights are central to leaving no one behind. We remain concerned by growing inequalities, which are further amplified by overlapping global crises, and their disproportionate effects on people in marginalized and vulnerable situations, including women and girls.
Women and girls continue to face these barriers in access to equal pay, healthcare, education and social protection. We stress the importance of nationally defined social protection-floors and equal pay for work of equal value, which remain as one of the essential tools to close these gaps.
In this context, the ongoing challenges and constraints faced by the Office of the High Commissioner are worrying, risking its capacity to deliver on its mandate. We reaffirm the need for predictable and adequate resourcing for the UN Human Rights Pillar, including this Council and respectively the OHCHR, to deliver its mandated work, and underline the importance of gender balance and equitable geographical representation across its work.
We look forward to continued cooperation with the Office and stakeholders to ensure Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) frameworks deliver equally for all.
I thank you.