Ávarp utanríkisráðherra á ráðstefnunni Planet Youth.
It is a pleasure to have you here in Reykjavík to discuss how we can best nurture the young generation. We are proud of our Icelandic teenagers who have shown the generations before them that there is a healthier and happier way of being, even when you are going through the tough transition to adulthood. I know that my generation had a lot of bad habits and we are glad that our kids are much less likely to repeat our mistakes.
Politicians, such as myself, have the responsibility to work towards a better society and find ways to safeguard our planet for the wellbeing of future generations. We must work with people such as you, to ensure that our kids grow up in a safe environment and that their rights are respected. In Iceland we have made important progress on reducing substance abuse including through sports and cultural activities. We are eager to share our experience and learn from best practices elsewhere to continue on this positive path.
The Government must also look ahead to make sure that when our children grow up, they inherit a prosperous, healthy society where democracy and human rights are respected. Kids today have clearly stated their concerns about the warming climate, and they are ready to participate in politics in their own way – even if they are not even old enough to vote.
In this regard, Iceland is committed to a greener way of life, aiming for carbon neutrality in 2040. We are furthermore eager to share our knowledge and experience from the sustainable use of marine resources and sustainable energy resources. As you may know, 85% of our energy comes from renewable sources and 90% of our homes use geothermal water for heating. This is now being replicated in places as far as China and East Africa’s Rift Valley.
We are committed to supporting innovation and the creative industries. Innovation is key to solving current global challenges and reaching the goals we have set ourselves under Agenda 2030. This will be innovation for youth and by youth – in our lifetime we have seen changes that I could not have imagined, but indeed someone did and acted on it. In the near future, we will continue to see the impossible become possible.
As Foreign Minister, I am acutely aware of current trends that may undermine the multilateral system we have built in the decades since the end of WWII. I bring this to your attention, as we need all hands on deck to promote and protect this system.
This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and we must use the occasion to support and defend the principles it was built on. Just last week, I had the honour to sign an agreement with the Icelandic Youth Council on the promotion of these principles and the participation of youth representatives in the work of the United Nations. The commitment of these young talented people to international cooperation is indeed promising.
In Iceland, we have been fortunate to see the fast progress of gender equality in the past few decades. We have become champions of sorts, which allows us to have a strong voice internationally when we advocate women’s empowerment. Our young female athletes have further elevated our claim to fame, so to speak, and “Dóttir” is now a known term, not only in the world of Crossfit and football.
Gender equality and human rights for all, remain a corner stone of Iceland’s foreign policy. We have just stepped down as an elected member of the Human Rights Council in Geneva where we were able to actively promote human rights for all, including women and LGBTI+ persons, and the rights of the child.
We also work for human rights through our development cooperation. Important projects on education, health care and sanitation will improve the lives of thousands of children in developing countries. We are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, our collective map towards a better future.
We need the voices of the many to be heard in support of freedom, human rights and multilateralism in general because we want the best for our children.
I wish you a good conference and a pleasant stay in Iceland.
Thank you.