Statement by Ambassador Veronika Bard
Madam High Commissioner,
Let me begin by reconfirming Sweden's steadfast support for you, your leadership, and your office. As the 2019 report makes clear, the OHCHR continues to deliver on its crucial mandate.
We welcome the continued focus on persons in vulnerable situations and on women and girls' rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights. We urge the office to continue to build upon the good progress made on prevention. Furthermore, we commend the Office on its persistent efforts to make Human Rights a cornerstone of the Agenda 2030 implementation.
We strongly appreciate your ongoing engagement on the human rights aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including advocacy, guidelines, and recommendations. Special Procedures mandate-holders are also doing vital work.
Sweden welcomes last week's council's president's statement on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, which gives your office a central role in continued reporting on the pandemic. The statement is an important signal on the continued relevance of the multilateral human rights system in these times.
We will continue to engage with you and your office as we navigate the troubled times ahead.
One question before I finish if I may. As you know, a large portion of Sweden's contribution to OHCHR is unearmarked. Can you elaborate if and, if so how, unearmarked funding facilitates the office's response to the pandemic?
Thank you Madam High Commissioner