Norway, 2011

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

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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.