Statement: 2nd Preparatory Meeting for Financing for Development
Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations
2nd Preparatory Meeting for Financing for Development
General Debate
6 December 2024
Thank you Mr. Chair,
I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of Iceland and would like to express our appreciation to Nepal, Norway, Mexico and Zambia for their leadership excellent work on the elements paper.
Iceland would like to highlight two points in that regard:
Firstly, we welcome the emphasis on a renewed global financing framework which would address cross-cutting priorities, such as combatting climate change, ensuring gender equality, advancing good governance, and meeting the needs of the most vulnerable, including those living in extreme poverty and fragile contexts.
Iceland looks forward to seeing those elements reflected in the zero draft.
Secondly, science, technology, innovation (STI) and capacity building can contribute to every sustainable development goal and Iceland has actively supported such initiatives. We therefore welcome a dedicated chapter on this within the elements paper.
We would especially like to highlight the importance of STI and capacity building in relation to SDG5 on gender equality and express our appreciation for the emphasis on identifying gaps and ensuring gender inclusion when it comes to building a resilient digital public infrastructure and increasing digital public goods.
There is also a wealth of potential in innovative financing. Iceland has focused on this through our sovereign sustainable financing framework, by issuing green bonds in March of this year, and gender bonds last June.
Furthermore, Iceland places an importance on STI and capacity building for sustainable use of natural resources.
This includes sharing our expertise with individuals and institutions in developing countries, such as through our Technical Assistance Programme to enable access and funding for technical experts.
Iceland also established the GRÓ Centre under the auspices of UNESCO, which works across four thematic areas that have played a significant role in our own development and prosperity: promoting geothermal energy, sustainable fisheries, land restoration and gender equality.
These training programmes are for working experts from middle- and low-income countries to build their capacity in these fields and empower their local communities.
Those are simply a few examples of how STI and capacity building can contribute to sustainable use of natural resources and Iceland would like to see further refinement of this element in the zero draft.
In conclusion, the upcoming FfD4 is an important opportunity to reinforce and build on previous FfD outcomes.
It will also provide an opportunity to follow up on the commitments made in the Pact for the Future.
We must work towards an ambitious FfD outcome, and you may count on Iceland’s constructive engagement in the process ahead.
I thank you.