Norway

Since we last met here, major changes have swept through the world. We have been witnessing the Arab Spring. People are standing up against authoritarian rule and demanding respect for the fundamental values that underpin this very institution. Autocrats who have failed to offer the prospect of a better life in freedom and dignity have been overthrown. Now, popular calls for reform in Syria have been met with a violent response. We urge the Syrian regime to respect the people’s legitimate demand for democracy and fundamental human rights. In July, a new flag rose in Juba as we celebrated the birth of a new State. Last Friday, President Salva Kiir of South Sudan addressed us from this podium as the leader of our newest Member State (see ). That became possible thanks, first and foremost, to the vision and will of the people and leaders of the Sudan and what is now the Republic of South Sudan. However, it would not have been possible without the active support of the international community. That demonstrates the importance of mediation and the settlement of disputes through peaceful means. Yet, we know that peace is fragile. The international community must coordinate its assistance and align it with the priorities of the South Sudanese Government. Outstanding issues must be settled through negotiations. We must contribute to laying the foundation for two viable States, so that they can both live in peace. In Côte d’Ivoire and Libya, the United Nations has once again proved its worth by addressing some of the most challenging situations in the world. The resolve shown by the Security Council on Libya has reconfirmed its pivotal role in global governance and international security — the role that Member States bestowed on it through the United Nations Charter. There are times when there is no alternative to the use of force. When the Security Council acts, it is up to us — the Member States — to put its decisions into practice. Norway’s active participation in the military campaign in Libya was, first and foremost, an expression of our belief in a United Nations-led world order and in the principle of the responsibility to protect. The response to Libya was also a landmark in terms of international justice. For the very first time, a unanimous Security Council chose to refer possible crimes against humanity to the International Criminal Court. Combating impunity and promoting the rule of law and fundamental human rights are key to the prevention of conflict and the protection of civilians. Promoting and strengthening human rights and gender equality are a common responsibility. Failing to adhere to universally agreed principles in that area is simply not acceptable. Investment in and empowerment of girls and women so that they can participate fully in the political and economic lives of States are also essential for economic growth and prosperity. There is fundamental evidence that States that fail on that account and continue repressive and discriminating gender policies will remain poor. Last year, we reconfirmed our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals. We agreed to accelerate our efforts. Last week, we received new evidence of dramatic and positive breakthroughs in our quest to reduce child mortality and maternal deaths. Strong political leadership, new partnerships and 11-51681 20 innovative ways of working have brought real progress. The Secretary-General’s global initiative “Every Woman and Every Child” has been instrumental in this respect. But further progress must not be taken for granted. Norway will continue to focus on women’s rights and promoting the role of women in development. We will strongly oppose any efforts to reverse progress. We must maintain our resolve to implement the Beijing Platform for Action. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have proven to be a formidable tool for improving the lives of millions of people. Yet much remains to be done. There are vast untapped resources within many of the countries that are struggling to achieve the MDGs. Broadening the tax base, making tax collection more effective, halting illegal capital flows and fighting corruption are all measures that must be fully used in the fight against poverty. Getting that right will also improve the social contract in countries emerging from poverty or conflict. This is a responsibility that lies firmly with individual States. With the climate conference in Durban only two months away, we must all play our part in making it a success. Implementation of the Cancun Agreements is crucial. The Green Climate Fund must be made operational. Durban should provide a roadmap that can bridge the gap between Kyoto and a new and more ambitious climate regime that includes all major emitters. Today, 1.4 billion people lack access to affordable and reliable electric power supplies. We must combat climate change while promoting development. The Secretary-General’s call for sustainable Energy for All is therefore highly welcome. Together with partner countries, Norway will launch a new energy initiative this autumn. The purpose is to boost sustainable energy generation and accelerate change towards energy efficiency. New funding will promote incentives for the energy sector in partner countries. Such incentives will in turn attract fresh capital for energy projects. We are determined to ensure concrete progress in Rio on the access-to- energy agenda. Now, 20 years after the United Nations first Conference on Sustainable Development, the nations of the world must renew the partnership for sustainable development. Civil society and the private sector are crucial in this partnership. Norway is committed to a successful outcome of the 2012 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Back in 1947, Norway voted in favour of the establishment of two States in the former mandate of Palestine in this Assembly. In 1949, we also heeded the call in resolution 181 (II) to give sympathetic consideration to an application by either State for admission to membership in the United Nations. We voted in favour of admitting Israel as a Member State. We based our decision at that time on the declarations and explanations provided by the Israeli delegation. Israel had persuasively explained why recognition and membership should not await resolution of the outstanding issues regarding borders, refugees, Jerusalem, and peace with neighbouring countries. When it admitted Israel as a Member State, this Assembly referred to those declarations and explanations. Since then, Norwegian policy has been based on the vision of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security. Norway has consistently stood by Israel and its inherent right to self-defence in accordance with international law. We have also supported the Palestinian right to statehood and the building of the Palestinian Authority. One of the main issues before this session of the General Assembly is the Palestinian quest for recognition. It is legitimate for the Palestinian people to turn to the United Nations under the current circumstances. This is neither incompatible with a negotiation process, nor an expression of unilateralism. Norway welcomes the call by the Quartet for negotiations on a comprehensive agreement on the outstanding final status issues to be completed within a year. However, the situation on the ground is changing in several ways. A few days ago, the donor support group to the Palestinian Authority affirmed the success of local institution-building. The performance of Palestinian public institutions was scrutinized by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations. Their joint conclusion was that the Palestinians are fully capable of running a State. On Friday President Abbas confirmed his commitment to resolving final status issues through negotiations. He also assured us of the Palestinian Authority’s commitment to complying with the United 21 11-51681 Nations Charter, relevant United Nations resolutions, democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The main obstacle to full institution-building remains the occupation. Measures taken under the latter are changing the shape of the territory in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in ways that undermine negotiations and may soon render the two-State vision physically unattainable. The Security Council, the General Assembly and the International Court of Justice have all rejected the legality of such unilateral changes. Both the Palestinians’ readiness for statehood and the declarations and commitments they have made should be acknowledged. Norway looks forward to welcoming Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations. It is vital that we continue to improve and strengthen the United Nations, so that it can serve us effectively in times of change. We, the Member States, have not ensured sufficiently wide-ranging reforms. We have not equipped the United Nations with the resources needed to carry out the mandates we adopt. We define noble objectives, only to undercut them in the budgeting process. We continue to ask the United Nations to do more with less. If that is what we want, we must give the Secretary-General greater flexibility. At times, the vision of a United Nations that delivers as one is undermined by our own interference and insistence on pet projects, earmarking of funds and cross-cutting, awkward and, on occasion, internally conflicting financial reporting requirements. Fragmentation does not begin at the United Nations. It is a reflection of the priorities and actions of Member States. Before I conclude, let me make one last remark. We deeply regret that this podium has once again been abused to promote extreme views and unfounded allegations. This serves only to incite conflict rather than to bridge differences. We will not give up the authority of our presence in this Hall, but will rather confront such attitudes from this podium. The purpose of the general debate is to draw attention to current challenges, express and share our views and lay the basis for constructive dialogue. In a rapidly changing world, the United Nations must be able to adapt to new challenges, new actors and new geopolitical realities. As the Secretary- General reminded us yesterday, with power comes responsibility. After all, the United Nations is only as good as the results it delivers. We are not judged by our words, but by our actions.