Nordic Statement at the UNICEF Executive Board Annual Session

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Mr/Madam President, Madam Executive director,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and my own country Sweden.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the draft and wish to express our thanks for the transparent consultations in this process.

On the whole, we are satisfied with the draft strategic plan, but would like some aspects strengthened. 

First, we welcome the rights-based approach, which clearly frames UNICEF’s mandate in relation to the implementation of international human rights. It is fundamental that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guides UNICEF’s work at all levels. The draft rightly places gender equality at the heart of everything UNICEF does. However, gender equality could be more clearly articulated in each of the impact areas. We support the concept of adolescent girls as an accelerator but would like to see gender equality be explicitly referenced in this context. We also underline the need for clearer references to sexual and reproductive health and rights. 

Second, we support the strategic approach set out. A sharpened focus on a few high-impact results, emphasis on scale and systems-strengthening, and greater differentiation of UNICEF’s work in low-, middle- and high-income countries are sound strategic priorities. We suggest that differentiation should be applied also to reporting, providing results by country income-level. The plan rightly underlines programme country governments’ responsibility for development results. We also welcome the affirmation of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and the strengthening of integrated programming. 
 
In terms of priorities, we would like to see a clear statement of intent on focusing resources on the most vulnerable children. It is essential that UNICEF provides information on the resources needed to achieve the plan’s objectives. We appreciate that cost-efficiency as well as diversification of funding sources are included among the enablers of the strategic plan. 

Third, the draft rightly sets out partnership with a range of stakeholders, including the private sector, as vital to advance children’s rights. We also support the emphasis on innovation and use of new technologies as an accelerator in delivering results at scale. The private sector is a crucial partner not only as a source of additional funding, but also in terms of advocacy for children’s rights and as a co-creator in developing innovative solutions for children. 

Fourth, the Strategic Plan should be more precise in describing UNICEF’s humanitarian work. We need to see a continued commitment to protection of children in armed conflict, including on the monitoring and reporting mechanism on grave violations for children, recalling Security Council resolution 1612. The Strategic Plan should be aligned with the Humanitarian Reset, and the results framework must show results of humanitarian operations, especially as these currently account for more than 60 percent of the organisation’s expenses. 

Finally, we welcome UNICEF’s expressed commitment to UN development system reform. 

Full implementation of ongoing UN reform and active engagement in the UN80 initiative is imperative. We recall the importance of every UN organisation focusing on the core priorities linked to its mandate.

The UN, including UNICEF, should reinforce focus on results at country level, with stronger national ownership of development objectives, and a slimmer, context-based and more adaptable presence. Further strengthening of the Resident Coordinator system is key to continue building on the progress already achieved. 

Reform initiatives must reinforce efficiency – reducing administrative costs while safe-guarding effective impact.

This perspective on reform must remain top of our mind as the work on the Strategic Plan is finalised. 

Thank you.