Statement by Ms. Ásta Bjarnadóttir,
Specialist on Sustainable Development at the Prime Minister’s Office
High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

16 July 2023, General Debate

Madame/Mr. Chair, Excellencies

As we collectively face challenging, and in some ways daunting times, effective global cooperation is the only way forward. We must remind ourselves that all societies, regardless of size, can have a positive global impact on the 2030 Agenda.

The UN member states have agreed on what needs to be done. However, as the latest data on our collective progress towards the SDGs suggests, there is a clear need for a closer look at how we intend to deliver on our commitments.

Therefore, Iceland welcomes the upcoming Summit of the Future and hopes for a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present for all, whilst safeguarding the future for upcoming generations.

Iceland believes the Nordic region has much to offer in this respect. The newly published Nordic Voluntary Subnational Review showcases good practice examples from the Nordic municipalities and highlights the importance of a whole of society approach to the SDGs with a meaningful and inclusive youth participation.

Iceland shares the Nordic vision for sustainable development and monitors national wellbeing indicators to shed light on prosperity beyond GDP.

Excellencies,

Since Iceland’s second Voluntary National Review last year, the cooperation platform, Sustainable Iceland, has formulated a national strategy and action plan for sustainable development. The vision for 2030 is for the government and the whole of society to cooperate on accelerating sustainable development and for Iceland to implement all SDGs.

We intend to accomplish this by focusing on five key subjects: a just transition, the economy, the environment, responsible consumption, and global responsibility. To accelerate progress within each subject throughout the whole of society, Sustainable Iceland will focus on four goals: awareness and knowledge sharing, cooperation between the government and society, a three-pillar impact assessment for all government bills and policies, and international cooperation.

Last year, Iceland’s Parliament agreed on a new policy for international development cooperation for the period of 2024 to 2028. The policy supports the vision of the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, with the overarching goal of poverty eradication, respect for human rights and improved living standards. Furthermore, gender equality, the empowerment of women, and LGBTI rights remain a priority for Iceland both nationally and within our development cooperation.

Madame/Mr. Chair

Iceland remains fully committed to the 2030 Agenda and to continuously strengthen our efforts to enhance progress for the SDGs. Earlier this year we amended our climate action plan, and we are now in the process of analysing our negative spillover effects.

Our Prime Minister will participate in the upcoming Summit of the Future and the Icelandic Government remains optimistic that we can agree on ways to meet our existing commitments and prepare for our future challenges.

Thank you