Country statement by Norway
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
The Delhi Ministerial Dialogue on Green Economy and Inclusive Growth is a very timely
initiative. We need to prepare ourselves for the Rio Conference next year in order to make it a
sucess. The importance of Green Economy and Inclusive Growth becomes more apparent by
the day. Growth is not enough. For growth to be sustainable it has to integrate environmental
issues. For growth to lead to development, it must focus on inclusiveness and equity.
Norway strongly supports the Secretary-General’s call for Sustainable Energy for All. We
need to build political momentum around the energy for all agenda. Next week Norway will
host a major international conference in Oslo on “Energy for all - financing access for the
poor”.
Energy is a critical enabler for development. Energy for all is about light, cooking and
education. It is about jobs, gender, growth and prosperity. It is about a decent way of life.
Without affordable energy there is less hope, fewer economic prospects and no sustainable
development. The energy sector is crucial for both social and economic development and for
the future of our planet. Going forward, we must welcome, promote and fund research,
innovation and technologies that will help us mitigate climate change. This requires increased
focus on renewable energy such as hydro power, wind power, solar energy and biomass, as
well as increased energy efficiency. Energy access for all will be a priority for Norway under
the Rio+20 conference, and we will work for agreement on deliverables in this respect.
Millennium Development Goal 1 is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. In order to
combat poverty and promote development in the agricultural sector, opportunities for
women’s participation must be improved. In spite of women’s key role in food production,
there are often gender-based differences in access to natural resources such as land and water,
and to technology, factor inputs and trade channels for goods.
Climate change is a growing threat to food security in many regions of the world. Higher
mean temperatures and extreme weather events such as drought and flooding, together with
the increased prevalence of animal and plant diseases, threaten food production. We need
more climate-resilient farming methods and new cultivation methods that make agriculture
more resilient to drought and floods, and ensure that fertilizer is utilized more efficiently.
The Rio+20 conference should renew the partnership for sustainable development. We must
encourage participation and input from civil society and private sector. If we fail to include
the private sector in our discussions, a greener economy will not be realised.
Thank you
