Ávarp á framlagaráðstefnu vegna Mið-Sahel
Today’s roundtable is a reminder of the difficult and complex situation in the Central Sahel. As so many have highlighted today, the region is faced with a crisis of the greatest magnitude.
Armed conflict, poverty, under-development and climate change have brought about the most devastating consequences for the people of Central Sahel; displacement, human rights abuses, destruction of livelihoods, hunger and loss of life. And as we all know, the situation has been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A comprehensive approach is urgently needed in the region. Humanitarian, development and peace actors must all be in sync, working together, complementing each other´s efforts. Our action must be in line with international humanitarian law and principled humanitarian action.
As a strong advocate for human rights and gender equality, I want to highlight the importance of a systematic focus on women and girls. There is no denying that in situations of armed conflict and displacement, women and girls become increasingly vulnerable to gender-based violence and other forms of exploitation, and when poverty and hunger rises, women and girls are usually negatively affected. COVID-19 has further aggravated the situation. Iceland is committed to bringing forth concrete and transformative actions to achieve irreversible progress on gender equality, in close collaboration with our UN partners. We urge others do to the same.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The need for funding and support, to alleviate immediate suffering, enhance resilience and build back better is obvious. Iceland wants to do its part, highlighting the importance of predictable and flexible funding.
I am therefore announcing an initial two-year humanitarian contribution of 80 million Icelandic krona. Iceland is new to the Central Sahel, but we intend to do more, with a focus on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
In closing - Iceland will continue to be an advocate for human rights and respect for human dignity - and we fully support efforts that may contribute to durable solutions in the Central Sahel.
Thank you.