YouSaid · the spoken record

Ann Christin Linde

lines on the record: 31
first: 2019-09-24
most recent: 2022-09-24
sittings or episodes: 2
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We fully support the work of the United Nations- appointed independent investigator. To echo the topic of today’s debate, we are at a watershed moment. We are witnessing a full-scale war in Europe. Across the globe, armed conflict and repression cause suffering and halt development. We are not doing enough to tackle the climate crisis. Too many people are facing hunger, being forced to flee their homes, dying from curable diseases or living in fear or under oppression. We, the United Nations, must make sure there is a different story to tell next year. It will not be easy, but it is possible if we heed the call to meet our interlocking challenges with transformative change — and act when warnings sound.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“A few months ago, the Secretary-General and I inaugurated a work of art in this very building in memory of Zaida Catalan and Michael Sharp, who were murdered while working for the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In too many countries, civil-society representatives, human rights defenders and journalists are threatened, subjected to violence or even killed for expressing their opinions or reporting on current events. The global trend of democratic backsliding must be reversed, and we must break the vicious circle of a lack of democracy, disrespect for human rights and disregard of the rule of law. Investing in democracy means investing in peace and sustainable development. Efforts must continue to bring clarity to the circumstances of the death of former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold and his crew.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We look forward to further strengthening the EU’s global role and deepening cooperation with partners around the world. We will work to protect, promote and defend democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law. And we will reinforce the already solid EU-United Nations relationship in seeking multilateral solutions. We lend our full support to Denmark’s candidacy to serve as an elected member on the Security Council for the 2025- 2026 term. Its campaign message — equality, security, action — is a message from all the Nordic countries. People working for peace, security, development and human rights should feel safe in their jobs. There have been 176 attacks on humanitarian workers so far this year, and 47 of those workers were killed. More than 50 peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving in United Nations missions.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“In response to the serious deterioration of the security situation, on 16 May the Swedish Government decided to apply for NATO membership. The decision has broad national support and was made following extensive consultations among our political parties. It was taken in tandem with Finland, and the decision is anchored in a firm belief that security is best built together with others. When I signed our formal request for NATO membership, I noted the fundamental changes to our defence and security policy. But I also stressed the importance of the continuity of our ambitious global and multilateral foreign policy. That enduring global commitment is also reflected in the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Sweden will hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2023.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“And the convening of the Transforming Education Summit earlier this week was another important step towards implementation. We look forward to similar progress on other recommendations, from investments in peacebuilding and strategic foresight to digitalization and a global economy that benefits all by being fair and open. We must keep up the momentum until we realize our ambitions at the Summit of the Future in 2024. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has caused the greatest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, aggravating the already serious global refugee situation. This military invasion of a country in our neighbourhood, in violation of the very same international law that has protected us all from aggression, has also fundamentally changed Sweden’s security environment.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Last year alone, Sweden committed more than $600 million to global health. The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response has set out clear recommendations for action, and we should make use of them. A year ago, the Secretary-General presented his blueprint for a modern multilateral system. Our Common Agenda (A/75/982) is an accelerator of the SDGs, a launch pad for a new agenda for peace and a way towards a more inclusive, modern and networked United Nations. It was us, the Member States, who called for the report — and as Member States we should do our collective best to act on it. The recent establishment of the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth was a fitting first decision, because this is an agenda for the future.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Regrettably, we still cannot take for granted women’s rights and representation or the resources needed to ensure them. Violence against women and girls has increased. Access to safe and legal abortion has suffered major setbacks. And one year after the Taliban takeover, the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan has turned into a nightmare, in an unparalleled system of discrimination. At the same time, more and more States are acknowledging that a gender perspective is needed to meet global challenges. As we gather for the first fully in-person General Assembly high-level week since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease, we must do everything in our power to prevent another pandemic. Sweden and the EU have made substantial contributions to global vaccination.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“In January, the leaders of all five nuclear-weapon States committed to the prevention of nuclear war and avoiding an arms race. They affirmed that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. Russia’s irresponsible actions and nuclear rhetoric since then severely undermine the credibility of its commitment to that pledge. It is also deeply troubling that Russia broke consensus on the draft outcome document of the tenth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The countries of the Stockholm Initiative on Nuclear Disarmament have presented ideas in response to the Secretary-General’s call to bring disarmament and non-proliferation back to the top of the international agenda. The world is in a gender-equality recession.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“At the international meeting Stockholm+50, held in June, countries came together to follow through on recommendations and actions. Sweden has spearheaded the climate transition through innovation and green investments and an ambitious increase in climate aid. Mounting evidence shows that climate change also leads to greater risks to peace and stability. A solid foundation for advancing climate security is in place at the United Nations and in regional organizations. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe took key decisions last year during the Swedish chairpersonship, and the EU is scaling up. The nuclear threat is alarmingly present, and Russia’s actions lower the threshold in a way that increases the threat facing us all.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“We commend the efforts of the Secretary-General and the President of Tiirkiye on the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Under the Initiative, some 50,000 tons of wheat will, thanks partly to Swedish funding, soon leave the port of Odesa, bound for millions of women, men and children at risk of famine in Yemen. A significant part of Sweden’s ambitious aid budget has been directed to the United Nations as an investment in global peace, security and development and the multilateral system itself. Our actions are firmly anchored in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Peace, with the SDGs, and in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which are now more important than ever. It is time to raise our ambition and accelerate action to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, or we will fail not only future generations but also our own.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Russia’s aggression has severely escalated the food security, energy and financial crises. Governments and societies already struggling to cope with the consequences of climate change, conflicts and the pandemic now face even more serious challenges. Because of the actions of one country, more than one and a half billion people in more than half of the States Members of the United Nations find themselves at greater risk of poverty, starvation and debt. In short, the global relief, recovery and resilience needs are immense. Sweden and the EU have scaled up our own contributions to meet them. To save lives and alleviate suffering where needs are greatest, Sweden has increased its humanitarian assistance to a record high $950 million this year.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Today Sweden reiterates that demand in the strongest possible terms, alongside other European Union (EU) member States, transatlantic partners and countries around the globe. The war in Ukraine must stop, and Russia’s troops must withdraw. Any fake referendums on Ukrainian territory would be illegal and will have no effect. Neither partial mobilization, the appalling use of nuclear threats nor any other escalation will deter us from supporting Ukraine. Humanitarian law and principles must be upheld, and Ukraine’s nuclear power plants must be protected from Russia’s illegal and reckless attacks. Accountability for the heinous crimes committed must be ensured. International law must be upheld, and decisions by United Nations entities must be respected.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“The world is in the midst of an accelerating climate and environmental crisis, and the effects of the ongoing pandemic continue to afflict individuals and societies around the world. A permanent member of the Security Council has launched an unprovoked, unjustified and illegal aggression against a neighbouring country. That was done in blatant disregard of its international obligations and the human suffering that extends far beyond the immediate war zone. As Member States, we also know what is required of us. The General Assembly has come together to demand that Russia immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. The General Assembly has reaffirmed Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Times of crisis require the best of us. When warnings sound, action must follow. Only then will development be sustainable and peace be maintained. Honest reflection on the gravity of the challenges must be followed by determined commitments to address them. That is what respecting the Charter of the United Nations means and what multilateralism is all about. We are all aware of the immense tasks facing us. Almost 350 million people in more than 80 countries face acute food insecurity, trying to merely survive the day instead of making plans for tomorrow. Some 50 million people in 45 countries are on the brink of starvation. Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is halting, leaving millions of women, men and children behind. Extreme poverty is on the rise for the first time in two decades.”
2022-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 77 (2022)
“Sweden’s foreign policy rests firmly on democracy, international law, respect for human rights, gender equality, a humanitarian perspective, and free, fair and sustainable trade. The United Nations system is a global public good, and it is in our shared strategic interest to keep investing in it. The long-term gains are far greater than any short-term costs. The prosperity of one nation is not part of a zero-sum game in which nations either win or lose. On the contrary, we can and must choose a path that will ensure that we continue to rise together.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The role that the United Nations plays in resolving conflicts, through political and diplomatic efforts or peace operations, is crucial for securing inclusive and sustainable peace. Post-conflict reconstruction can be successful only when all segments of society are included. This is especially important when it comes to women’s participation. We are firmly committed to supporting the Secretary-General’s initiative to strengthen peacekeeping. We will continue our engagement in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and other peace operations. The late poet Claes Andersson once wrote: “Fear those who say they only want to be left alone — for they fear no means.” History has shown us that isolationism, populism and nationalism are all paths to failure.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The International Atomic Energy Agency is an essential part of the NPT. On 23 September, Sweden took over as Chair of the Agency’s Board of Governors for the 2019-2020 period. We are honoured to shoulder this great responsibility in these challenging times. Millions of people are struggling to survive and live just another day. Currently over 140 million people need life-saving humanitarian assistance, most of whom are women and girls. Sweden is proud to be one of the largest contributors of humanitarian assistance in the world in order to save lives and ease human suffering. We stand behind the Secretary-General’s vision that tensions and crises can be prevented from escalating into major conflicts.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We need full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. We must act urgently and pursue dialogue to restore trust, which is presently lacking in this part of the international arena. The termination of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, essentially as a result of Russian non-compliance, is a further setback. In June, Sweden, together with 15 countries from various regions, launched a nuclear-disarmament initiative. This initiative aims at building political support for a successful outcome of the NPT Review Conference in 2020. Concrete measures to reduce nuclear risk and increase transparency can serve as stepping stones and unlock disarmament diplomacy. Full and constructive engagement by nuclear-weapon States will be a necessary ingredient if we wish to move forward.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“The Security Council needs to adopt a comprehensive approach to peace, and to include new risks, such as climate change, on its agenda. We are a year away from the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the cornerstone of the global nuclear-disarmament and non-proliferation regime. The Treaty has been successful in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. However, the deteriorating international security environment has once again increased the threat of the use of nuclear weapons. The situation on the Korean peninsula remains a cause for concern. We must continue to pursue our common goal of complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization and of peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula through diplomatic means.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“This week, Sweden co-hosted a meeting with key partners in support of peace in Yemen, based on the Stockholm Agreement. The United Nations-led process is key. We emphasize that international law must be respected. International law serves as a basis for conflict resolution and prevention, as in the case of Israel and Palestine. An end to the occupation together with a two-State solution within secure and mutually recognized borders is the only way to resolve this conflict. The illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol and the aggression in eastern Ukraine challenge core principles of international law. We will continue to work with international partners until Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty have been fully restored.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“A strong rules-based and transparent multilateral trading system is vital. Support to developing countries to increase their capacity for international trade is also crucial. Free trade is a powerful engine for growth. We need to make growth sustainable and inclusive and to promote decent work for all. Sweden will continue to be an active partner in the Global Deal for Decent Work and Inclusive Growth partnership, with its vision of a world of decent work and inclusive growth that guarantees workers’ rights. Security must be built collectively. Current security threats leave no nation or person untouched. Sweden’s membership in the Security Council focused on conflict prevention, early action and respect for international law. Our membership has ended but our commitment is ongoing.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Sweden will continue to allocate 1 per cent of its gross national income as official development assistance. At present, more than 50 per cent of this assistance is channelled to or through the multilateral system. This demonstrates our strong commitment to international cooperation and the importance we attach to the 2030 Agenda for our shared future. I am encouraged by the high level of engagement from the business sector. Together, as partners, we will achieve the Goals. The business benefits of science-based climate action are clear. We look forward to the launch of the Global Investors for Sustainable Development Alliance in October. Trade is an important tool for sustainable economic development and poverty reduction, and for the 2030 Agenda as a whole. We need more trade, not less.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Sweden fully supports the ongoing efforts of the United Nations to mainstream a gender perspective throughout the United Nations system and its reform agenda. The Secretary-General’s determination to ensure gender parity in the Organization is an important part of these efforts. In adopting the 2030 Agenda, we all committed to taking on significant responsibilities. I am pleased that the political declaration adopted earlier this week (resolution 74/4, annex) not only reinforces the 2030 Agenda, but also sets the course for faster action on the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations plays a central role in this endeavour. With the reforms initiated by the Secretary-General, the United Nations will become more effective and enable action on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“These are basic human rights. Sexual and reproductive health and rights, including the right to safe and legal abortion, are fundamental human rights. Next year marks the anniversaries of several gender-equality commitments. The tasks laid out in those commitments remain unfinished and need our urgent attention. Implementing the women, peace and security agenda and the Beijing Platform for Action is not only the right thing to do but it is also key to achieving sustainable peace and development. On International Women’s Day this year, Sweden and France launched a diplomatic initiative to combat trafficking and prostitution, focusing on reducing demand and protecting the victims of prostitution, in Europe and globally. Empowering women and increasing their political and economic participation are crucial for global development.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We will continue to protest when the freedom of expression is restricted, whether online or off, when journalists and media actors are silenced, and when human rights defenders are harassed or even killed. I am proud to be the Foreign Minister in Sweden’s feminist Government and to pursue a feminist foreign policy. Gender equality is an issue that concerns us all. It is about human rights, democracy, development and peace and security for all. We are encouraged by the considerable advances made in certain areas, but progress remains uneven. Every day, in many parts of the world, women’s and girls’ rights are still being violated. We are also witnessing growing opposition to women’s and girls’ human rights. This must stop. Every woman and girl should have the right to make her own decisions about her body and her life.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Human rights around the world are under attack. We must act against all attempts to weaken the respect for human rights and restrict their universality. Sweden will continue to be a strong voice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. No one should suffer discrimination, violence or oppression because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Sweden will continue to champion the independence and integrity of the human rights system. Persecution of religious and other minorities occurs in many parts of the world, which is unacceptable. Sweden is strengthening efforts against anti-Semitism. Next year, we will host an international forum on Holocaust remembrance and combating anti-Semitism.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“We are the world’s leading per-capita contributor to the Green Climate Fund and have now decided to double that contribution. Today, in many parts of the world, democracy is losing ground. Inequalities are growing. Social and economic gaps are feeding into nationalistic narratives. Anti-democratic forces are creating uncertainty and division. Corruption is a threat to democracy, to economic and social development, and to trade and investment. Together, we must do more to counter these forces because democracy is the bedrock of open and free societies, and of equality and prosperity. Democracy invites all citizens to take part in building sustainable societies and societies free from oppression. Sweden will increase its support for democratic and vibrant civil societies. Voices of democracy need our support.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“But we can and will do more. Our goal is to be the first fossil-free welfare nation in the world. At the Climate Action Summit, together with India and the World Economic Forum, we announced the launch of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition. This initiative will speed up industry transition to pathways that will ensure that we deliver on the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda. The role of trade and labour unions is essential in this transition. Secondly, transforming financial flows is key. We are proud to see the commitment of our businesses and financial institutions to aligning with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Through our development cooperation, Sweden is investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate-sensitive agriculture.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“To keep global warming under 1.5°C and prevent the most extreme impacts of climate change, we need to halve global emissions by 2030. Scientists, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change included, warn of devastating consequences if we do not take immediate action. Climate change is a driver of conflict. Action is about the survival of our peoples and our nations. The world cannot afford the cost of inaction. The challenge facing us is enormous, but we can turn this challenge into an opportunity. I would like to raise two main points. First, we need long-term policy at all levels. The European Union has put in place a legally binding climate framework, sending a clear message to the international community about our commitment. In Sweden, our Climate Act and net-zero emissions target also send a clear signal.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“At the same time, the United Nations and other multilateral institutions, such as the World Trade Organization and the International Criminal Court, are increasingly being questioned. This is a disturbing trend that threatens to weaken international cooperation, accountability and our nations’ growth, trade and development. The climate crisis is the defining issue of our time. Millions of young people are now demonstrating and demanding urgent action. Their commitment and engagement have inspired school strikes and protests around the world. They have left few of us unmoved. Their voice was raised, once again, loud and clear at last Saturday’s youth summit. We must not let them down. We cannot let them down.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)
“Next year, we will celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, which was born from the ashes of the Second World War to maintain peace and promote prosperity and human rights for future generations. The Organization was created to resolve differences, prevent violent conflicts, learn lessons from the past and meet international threats through cooperation. It was established to enable nations, no matter their size, to achieve these goals by acting together. The anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate many significant achievements — most recently, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and the sustaining peace agenda.”
2019-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 74 (2019)