Norwegian PM reaffirms commitment to United Nations

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg on Saturday reaffirmed her country's commitment to the United Nations, reported Xinhua.

"The United Nations was founded on hope, the hope for a better tomorrow in the aftermath of war. Seventy-five years later, COVID-19 is putting humanity to test," she told the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

"Building on the lessons from other crises and infectious diseases, Norway continues our unwavering commitment to the UN and multilateral solutions."

In response to the pandemic, Norway took the initiative to establish a UN COVID-19 response and recovery fund, and the country is co-chairing the global effort on access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines -- the ACT Accelerator, she said. "We stand firm in our conviction that global problems need global solutions."

Whatever old challenges remain and new challenges arise in the next 75 years, the United Nations must be at the center of international coordinated efforts. This is why Norway continues to invest both financially and politically in the United Nations, she said in a pre-recorded speech.

The goal of the United Nations is a world of peace and security; a world ruled by justice and respect for human rights; a world that acts decisively to reduce inequality, poverty and hunger, to stem climate change, to build resilience against pandemics and other global threats, she said.

The pandemic serves as the best example of the need for the world to come together.

"COVID-19 is putting us all to the test. Information, research, treatment and vaccines must be shared in a way that leaves no one behind. If not, we all stand to lose," she said. "We are united against a common enemy. We have been reminded of a simple fact: We are in this together. There is no stronger argument for our continued support for the United Nations."