Norway, 1998

This year we are

celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights. In our global community,

the issue of human rights is the concern of us all. For this

reason the Government of Norway welcomes the fact that

human rights are now being given increased priority in

the work of the United Nations. Adoption by the General

Assembly of a declaration on human rights defenders on

the International Human Rights Day, on 10 December,

would represent proof of our strong commitment in this

field.

Human rights is basically about human dignity —

about protecting the individual against oppression and

exploitation, poverty and injustice, marginalization and

degradation. The struggle for civil and political rights and

for social, economic and cultural rights must be one and

the same struggle. When we address breaches of civil and

political rights, we must also address the issues of

development and poverty.

As a new millennium is upon us, one of our most

fundamental challenges is the realization of a humane

world. This must be more than a vision. It is a moral

imperative. All Governments endeavouring to implement

and promote respect for human rights in their societies

deserve our wholehearted support. Democracy,

transparency and good governance are essential for

economic growth, sustainable development and political

stability. Governments that continue to disregard basic

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human rights norms deprive their populations not only of

political freedom, but also of improved economic

conditions.

The pursuit of a humane world requires new

approaches. And new tools. A good example of this

approach is the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of

the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-

personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, which was

negotiated in Oslo. With the ratification by Burkina Faso,

presently chairing the Organization of African Unity

(OAU), as the fortieth country, the Ottawa process has in

less than two years produced a binding international legal

instrument which will enter into force early next year. This

has been made possible by a new diplomacy reaching

beyond relations between States to engage individuals and

non-governmental organizations.

Our efforts to rid the world of the scourge of anti-

personnel mines must be intensified so that we can reach

the objectives set out in the Ottawa process. Norway has

already made a commitment of $120 million over a five-

year period to mine action programmes, including

assistance to mine victims. We call on other Governments

to join in this endeavour. The United Nations has a central

role to play in these efforts.

The partnership between Governments, international

organizations and civil society demonstrated throughout the

Ottawa process should be pursued in our new drive to

restrict proliferation of small arms and light weapons. In

recent years it has become evident that small arms are a

formidable barrier to ending violent conflicts and

consolidating peace, political stability and reconstruction of

war-torn societies. We need to intensify and harmonize our

efforts to combat the illegal trade in and proliferation of

such arms, which account for most casualties in todayâs

conflicts.

Norway has committed considerable resources to

immediate action to assist populations in war-torn societies.

We support demobilization and arms collection programmes

in a number of countries, and we have raised the question

of what role United Nations peacekeeping operations could

play in these areas. To further strengthen these efforts,

Norway proposes the establishment of a trust fund to

combat the widespread proliferation and illegal use of small

arms, in particular through the collection and destruction of

such weapons at the end of armed conflicts. Norway will

pledge 15 million Norwegian kroner (NKr) — about $2

million — to the establishment of such a trust fund and

calls on other countries to follow suit. We propose that the

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) be

charged with the management of the fund.

Norway is gravely concerned by the recent

underground nuclear tests by India and Pakistan. I would

like to emphasize the crucial importance of both the

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

(NPT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

(CTBT) for international efforts to prevent the

proliferation of nuclear weapons and achieve nuclear

disarmament. Therefore, Norway urges all countries to

join the NPT and the CTBT. We believe the United

Nations should serve as an important forum for

strengthened dialogue and exchange of information on

non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament and that it

should contribute to more transparency and confidence in

these crucial matters.

The current world economic crisis clearly illustrates

that we are all part of a single global economy. It also

illustrates that we are far from fully understanding the

powerful forces of globalization, and even further from

being able to adequately manage them. The international

financial crisis has led to soaring unemployment,

plummeting living standards and shattered expectations of

a better life for millions of people.

We clearly need a better understanding and better

management of the global economy. My Government

shares the serious concern expressed by the recent summit

meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Durban. While

the process of globalization has led to greater economic

opportunities for many, a large number of developing

countries are being left even further behind in the wake

of the increasing integration of the world economy.

As was pointed out during last weekâs high-level meeting

on globalization and development here at the United

Nations, there is no alternative to multilateral cooperation

efforts if we are to maximize the positive effects of

globalization, while minimizing its negative aspects.

While our planet is shrinking, the income gap

continues to grow — between as well as within nations.

At the same time, we are experiencing a steep reduction

in official development aid from North to South. It is a

regrettable fact that the industrialized countries are

increasingly distancing themselves from the agreed United

Nations target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product

for development purposes.

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Developed and developing countries alike are accusing

each other of broken promises and failure to live up to their

commitments. What we need is a new partnership based on

result-oriented policies in developing countries and a

commitment on the part of the developed countries to reach

the 0.7 per cent target within an agreed time-frame.

Norway, which has been well above this target for decades,

is actively seeking to counter the growing donor fatigue and

intends to further increase its official development

assistance in the years ahead.

Many of our most pressing problems are international

in nature and global in scope. International crime and

terrorism, environmental degradation and the spread of

disease do not need passports to cross borders. They are

global problems, requiring global solutions.

As the world changes, so must the United Nations. We

have previously commended the Secretary-General for his

reform agenda. Much has already been done. It is now up

to us, the Member States, to promote the reform process

throughout the whole United Nations system.

We cannot ask the United Nations to do more and

perform better, while at the same time cutting back on its

resources. As a very minimum, all Member States must

honour their legal commitments and pay their dues in full,

on time and without conditions.

For the poorest and most heavily indebted developing

countries, the debt problem represents one of the main

obstacles to development. Urgent action is needed to end

the unsustainable debt burden of these countries. Norway

for its part will launch a comprehensive national debt relief

strategy. The strategy will form the basis for our policy for

supporting and strengthening the international debt relief

schemes. It will also contain additional debt reduction

measures on a bilateral basis which will be applied on top

of the reductions made under multilateral operations.

No investments yield a higher return than investments

in basic social services — in primary health and education.

Since the World Social Summit, Norway has actively

advocated the 20/20 principle. This calls for a mutual

commitment between developed and developing countries

to allocate 20 per cent of official development assistance

and 20 per cent of national budgets, respectively, to basic

social programmes. We encourage all countries to adhere to

this target.

Economic growth and social development underpin

political stability. But political stability and good

governance are also prerequisites for sustained economic

development. While the United Nations should retain its

vital role in economic, environmental and social affairs,

the Organization must also involve itself more extensively

in conflict prevention, crisis management and peace-

building efforts. In two weeksâ time we will be

commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of United Nations

peacekeeping operations. The United Nations has proved

indispensable for maintaining stability, peace and security

for millions of people, for which it was awarded the

Nobel Peace Prize 10 years ago. At this juncture, we

pledge our continued support for the United Nations

peacekeeping endeavours. The Organizationâs capacity

must be further enhanced, not least with regard to rapid

response to armed conflicts.

In particular, we wish to honour those who have

given their lives under the United Nations flag. The

increasing number of casualties among United Nations

personnel on missions abroad has made us more aware of

the security situation for United Nations staff. Today, the

Geneva Conventions go a long way in protecting

uniformed personnel in combat situations. United Nations

personnel working to promote and alleviate the suffering

created by war are not protected in the same way under

international law. It is therefore important to improve the

security situation of United Nations staff, and we urge

more countries to sign and ratify the Convention on the

Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.

To further facilitate the United Nations role in

preventing conflicts, Norway took the initiative two years

ago to establish a Trust Fund for Preventive Action. This

fund has made it possible for the United Nations to

undertake preventive missions and diplomatic initiatives

it otherwise would not have the resources to carry out.

Some countries have made contributions to the fund. We

encourage others to do the same.

To enable the Security Council to better fulfil its

prime task of preventing conflict and securing

international peace, it is important to enhance its

legitimacy while not compromising its efficiency. We

need to find broad-based solutions which better reflect the

political realities of today.

Conflict prevention, crisis management and peace

building clearly require a coordinated approach. We must

secure a better unity of purpose and integrate United

Nations peace-building efforts with those of other

stakeholders. Norway will be taking over the

chairmanship of the Organization for Security and

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Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 1999, and we are

determined to further refine the already well established

working relationship between the United Nations and the

OSCE.

Most armed conflicts of today are taking place within

States. Civilians are increasingly affected, and indeed

singled out as military targets. In this context, the adoption

in Rome a few months ago of the statute establishing an

International Criminal Court is truly a historic achievement.

The existence of a permanent, global institution of this kind

will allow us to address the serious problem of impunity

and will significantly enhance deterrence of the most

heinous international crimes. The statute also provides for

credible protection against biased, arbitrary and otherwise

unwarranted prosecutions.

We need more, not less, involvement of the United

Nations and regional organizations to prevent underlying

conflicts from bursting into flames. In Kosovo, we have in

the last few months witnessed an alarming deterioration,

where the parties seem determined to resolve the conflict

by military means. There is an urgent need for a ceasefire,

access for international humanitarian organizations to all

parts of Kosovo and stronger involvement by the

international community, in order to facilitate a negotiated

political solution.

Five years ago the Oslo Accord was signed in

Washington, and gave hope for a peaceful future for the

people of the Middle East. Although progress has been

made, the peace process is today in serious difficulties.

There is, however, no alternative to a negotiated settlement.

The responsibility for advancing the peace process lies first

and foremost with the parties themselves. We therefore urge

the parties to do their utmost to build confidence and

cooperation and to refrain from all unilateral measures and

actions designed to pre-empt the outcome of the final status

negotiations.

Although developments in Latin America in general

have been positive over the past few years, there are still

situations that give cause for concern. Every support should

be given to the new Government in Colombia in its efforts

to end the armed conflict. The international community

should also give continued support to the implementation of

the peace accords in Guatemala. Consolidating the peace is

as important as ending the war.

Norway commends the Secretary-General for his

report on security and development in Africa. Recent

developments are indeed worrying and may threaten the

stability and future prospects of large parts of the

continent. The African nations themselves have the prime

responsibility for ensuring a political climate that is

conducive to stability and economic growth.

However, the international community must provide

political support and assist in mediation, peacekeeping,

humanitarian aid, human rights enhancement,

demobilization efforts and institution-building. It is vital

that these activities be coordinated and mutually

supportive. Here the United Nations must play a leading

role, in close cooperation with the Organization of

African Unity and the subregional organizations. We

follow with great interest the ongoing work by the

Security Council in this respect, and we look forward to

the discussions on the General Assemblyâs follow-up of

the Secretary-Generalâs report during this session.

If we are to meet effectively the many global

problems facing us, there is no alternative to concerted

multilateral action. We must build a future based on

international law, where solidarity and social

responsibility are not confined within national boundaries,

but stretch across borders and continents. We, as

Governments, must do this in close cooperation with civil

society, with non-governmental organizations. In all this,

the United Nations must be at the very centre of our

multilateral efforts.