Statement by Sweden at the Humanitarian Debate

PRESENTATION OF THE HUMANITARIAN OMNIBUS RESOLUTION

Mr. President,

First, I would like to note that we of course fully align with the statement that will be made later this morning on behalf of the European Union.

For today, it is my great privilege to introduce to the General Assembly, on behalf of the record-high 116 co-sponsors, this year’s draft resolution on the “Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations” – the so-called “Humanitarian Omnibus resolution.”

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the landmark resolution 46/182, presented and adopted in December 1991, which created the very foundations of today’s UN humanitarian system. Sweden has facilitated the negotiations of this resolution ever since.

Humanitarian needs have grown exponentially in recent years, because of war, protracted conflicts, natural disasters and the impact of climate change. But the goal of our collective efforts remains the same as set out on that day in December 1991: “to effectively come to the aid of our fellow women and men affected by crisis”.

This year, as you probably know, we have not reviewed the text of this resolution, and except for some minor technical adjustments, the text before you today is therefore the same as the one that was adopted by the General Assembly last December.

Instead we have this autumn engaged in a strategic discussion on the humanitarian challenges, not of yesterday, but of today and of the future, and how we together can best support the UN humanitarian system. I thank all of you who have contributed to these consultations, thus paving the way for a solid review process in 2020.

What I take with me from these consultations is a renewed sense of the deep commitment to humanitarian action here at the UN. We don’t always agree on everything in this chamber, but we do agree on the humanitarian principles and on our shared responsibility to help those in need. This is important, reassuring and indeed inspiring.

Mr. President,

The resolution that I am proud to present here today is the result of the dedicated work of many Member States, small and large. Of countries providing humanitarian assistance, and of those receiving it. Of countries prone to natural disasters, and of those with lessons on how to mitigate their impact. Of countries that have suffered violence and armed conflict, forcing people to flee, and of countries generously hosting those in need of protection.

I am therefore extremely pleased to once again report a very large number of co-sponsors for the resolution – a record-high 116. This broad and diverse ownership demonstrates the truly global nature of humanitarian solidarity.

Finally, Mr. President, I would like to underline that its adoption by consensus sends an important message to the UN system and the wider world about our collective commitment to an effective humanitarian response system. It is important that we send this message and that we do so together, as united nations, and I call on all Member States to today continue to support this resolution and our 29-year-tradition of humanitarian consensus.

Thank you again for your support and for your commitment.

 

JOINT STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF INDIA AND SWEDEN

Mr. President, it is now also my great honour to deliver a Joint Statement on behalf of India and my own country Sweden on the strengthening of the United Nations system to respond to the complex and diverse humanitarian emergencies of our time.

The humanitarian needs in the world today are greater than ever. We are deeply concerned that humanitarian emergencies – primarily driven by natural disasters and armed conflicts – reached a new high this year, with 148.7 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian funding requirements for 2020 are set at 26.5 billion USD, the highest in history.

The numbers of displaced persons due to humanitarian emergencies are increasing and remains an area of shared concern. The humanitarian crises are today more complex and protracted, and place higher demands on the international community.  Greater coordination and complementarity in action among various humanitarian actors is crucial.

We – India and Sweden – reaffirm that humanitarian principles and international law provide the basis for humanitarian assistance. We are committed to preserving and strengthening respect for, and adherence to, the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

Repeated violations of international humanitarian law remain one of the most serious challenges. Parties to armed conflicts, including non-state actors, continue to flout international humanitarian law and perpetrate abuses of human rights with impunity. In todays’ armed conflicts we continue to witness lack of humanitarian access to persons in need, an increase in attacks and threats directed at civilians in armed conflict, as well as at medical care. The primary responsibility of providing protection and humanitarian assistance in a crisis always lies with the affected state. In addressing the specific needs of the affected people, international humanitarian assistance must be provided impartially, in accordance with the guiding principles in General Assembly resolution 46/182.

The UN agencies and other partners continue to respond to complex emergencies in a commendable manner. The need for enhanced complementarity between humanitarian action and development cooperation is well recognized, especially in the context of today’s multi-dimensional crisis situations.

Underfinancing of humanitarian appeals remains a challenge. We call upon Member States to consider increasing their contribution to UN humanitarian assistance system, including the CERF and the country based pooled funds. We would like to stress the value added in non-earmarked flexible funding and predictable support to our humanitarian partners.

Access for and protection of humanitarian workers, especially in situations of armed conflict, remain a concern. Attacks on humanitarian personnel are not only attacks on the United Nations, but also on humanity. We welcome the resolution on “Safety and Security of humanitarian personnel and protection of United Nations personnel”, which we will adopt in this chamber later today.

There must be no doubt that there is zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse within the UN system and elsewhere. Persons responsible of sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation must be held accountable.  Victims of these abuses as well as those who report such abuses must be afforded adequate protection. We appreciate the Secretary-General’s deep commitment and look forward to concrete steps to tackle this important issue.

Sweden has long been one of the largest donors of core funding to the UN humanitarian actors. Sweden’s overall humanitarian budget has also consistently increased in past five years, in line with growing global humanitarian needs.

Sweden remains committed to the Grand Bargain. In line with our Grand Bargain commitments, Sweden will provide WFP, UNRWA, UNHCR and CERF with multi-year core funding for the period of 2018-2021. The Grand Bargain’s concrete targets provide a vehicle for effectiveness and efficiency reform of the humanitarian system as well as enhanced inclusiveness. Flexible humanitarian funding continues to be a top priority for Sweden as we strongly believe that flexible funding, such as core and pooled funding, allows for timely, independent, effective and efficient humanitarian action.

India supports fellow developing countries through assistance and relief efforts in humanitarian emergencies including natural disasters. These efforts have ranged from immediate supply of relief materials to emergency evacuation of very large numbers of persons of various nationalities from affected zones.

The Indian Navy was the first responder in the evolving humanitarian crises in the aftermath of Cyclone IDAI that hit Mozambique on 15 March 2019. India has also provided emergency relief material including food supplies and medicines to three countries affected by cyclone IDAI in southern Africa and to the people of Bahamas who were affected by Hurricane Dorian.

Going forward we need to look beyond immediate relief and rehabilitation. A disaster resilient world demands disaster resilient infrastructure. India remains committed to address the challenges of complex humanitarian emergencies through building disaster resilient infrastructure. In this context, India has taken the initiative to launch the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in partnership with several other countries, during the 2019 Climate Action Summit.

We – India and Sweden – today call upon all member states to engage and do their part to ensure that the unprecedented needs and challenges of today are met with unparalleled solidarity and a robust humanitarian response.

Thank you.