Distinguished chairperson, excellences, colleagues,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union on behalf of its Member States.
I would like to thank the organizers of this Pledging Conference. Thank you, High Commissioner, for your opening remarks, highlighting the growing challenges. We are here today, online and not in person, in a situation of pandemic that we all hoped would over by now. The humanitarian needs continue to be at all-time high, exacerbated by the pandemic. This timely event is thus an important opportunity to demonstrate Estonia’s support to the UNHCR and to finding ways of more sustainable, predictable funding.
The situation world-wide is worrisome. We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and the appalling effects of inaction, especially on women and children. We are concerned about the ongoing conflict in Syria, Ethiopia and Yemen, as violence continues to force people to leave their homes. We remain worried and strongly condemn any orchestrated instrumentalisation of human beings, whose lives and wellbeing are put in danger for political purposes. Moreover, the tangible consequences of climate change are increasingly a driver for displacement and it is important that we, states tackle climate change strongly and decisively, before it is late. UNHCR’s approach for longer-term durable solutions that would bring the humanitarian, development and peace actors closer together is needed now more than ever.
I would like to thank the UNHCR for your strong strategic vision for the future and your tireless work in accordance with the humanitarian principles. COVID-19 has fundamentally reshaped the humanitarian landscape and with it, our role to find solutions to respond to decrease existing inequalities and enhance economic and social development. We must emphasise the impact of the pandemic on women, children, elderly persons and persons with disabilities, and provide protection. We commend the UNHCR for consistently advocating for the inclusion of persons of concern in national health plans as well as in other necessary services and support. Refugees and IDPs need to be a part of the global goal of vaccinating 70% of the world’s population by mid-2022.
Estonia has been a longstanding contributor to the UNHCR. We highly value the good bilateral cooperation between Estonia and UNHCR on digitalisation and digital transformation in relation to UNHCR’s activities and core services. Allow me to confirm an unearmarked contribution of 100 000 EUR from the Government of Estonia for the UNHCR’s activities in the year 2022 as well as 100 000 for UNHCR’s operations in Afghanistan, and we wish the organization every success in the future.
Thank you.