Around the world, the demand for technical assistance in the field of human rights is intensifying. The High Commissioner and her office have proved their capability to deliver as human rights have become increasingly relevant to peace and security, development and humanitarian efforts. Technical cooperation and capacity building are fundamental and increasingly important tools in this endeavor. This is also included as a key feature of the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner.
OHCHRs efforts to facilitate positive change at country level can already demonstrate significant results. The present challenge facing the High Commissioner is to strengthen the field presence of the OHCHR with a clear focus on where the office can add value and has comparative advantage. The OHCHR needs to continue the roll-out and strengthen the impact of these efforts, based on cooperation and a functional division of work with other UN agencies and bilateral donors. This is why we believe that the strengthened debate on technical cooperation in the Human Rights Council under item 10 is very timely.
The efforts to advance technical cooperation and capacity building should also be seen in light of the need to strengthen the third pillar upon which the United Nations was founded, namely the pillar of human rights. To move principles into reality UN personnel at headquarters and in the field must have the relevant training and expertise in human rights, and incentives and know how to assist States in applying them in a meaningful way.
Norway strongly believes that by strengthening this third pillar we can improve the effectiveness and credibility of the UN as a whole. Development is more sustainable if the principles of participation, non-discrimination and accountability is adhered to in practice.
This requires leadership from the very top of the UN system. This also requires resources. On this background, the Government of Norway is pleased to announce that we have decide to provide a contribution of 8 million NOK (138 000 USD) to the multidonor trust fund for integration of human rights in the work of the United Nations on the country level. The funds will enable an increase in the presence of human rights advisers in the field, and hopefully serve to strengthen the ability of the UN to fulfill its mandate.