Statement at General Humanitarian Debate – presentation of the Omnibus resolution

Mr President,

It is my great privilege to introduce to the General Assembly, on behalf of the over 100 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 27^th 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 effects 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, Mr President, is why we are here today.

Thanks to the constructive engagement of all delegations, this year’s negotiations have resulted in several important improvements, reinforcements and adaptations – let me here give you three examples:

Firstly, we have strengthened the language on International Humanitarian Law, not least on the safety and security of medical personnel and on medical care in armed conflict – key priority issues for Sweden and many other countries.

Secondly, we have reinforced the provisions on sexual and gender-based violence as well as on sexual exploitation and abuse. The resolution now firmly puts victims and survivors of such violence at the core of the response efforts and makes clear that perpetrators must be held accountable.

Finally, we have taken a major step forward on the fight against food insecurity and the risk of famine. Echoing Security Council Resolution 2417 from May 2018 – for which Sweden was one of the penholders – the resolution now explicitly “condemns strongly the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and prohibited by international humanitarian law”.

This year’s resolution also stresses the inter-dependency and partnership between different forms of humanitarian assistance, and the importance of the nexus between shorter-term humanitarian efforts, longer-term investments in sustainable development and our common responsibility to build, keep and sustain peace.

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 avoid them or 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 extremely pleased to once again report a very large number of co-sponsors for the Omnibus resolution – over 100 with additional support coming in during the morning.

This broad and diverse ownership demonstrates the truly global nature of humanitarian solidarity. It is through our collective action and support that we will succeed in improving the global humanitarian system, and ultimately provide relief to those who need it the most.

Finally, Mr President, I would like to underline that the adoption by consensus the General Assembly of the Humanitarian Omnibus resolution – as well as of the resolutions on Natural Disasters, on Safety and Security and on the White Helmets Commission – 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 continue to support this resolution and our 27-year-tradition of consensus.

Thank you again for your support and for your commitment.