Now we need an international criminal court that is permanent and effective. Ladies and Gentlemen, We need to keep a steady focus on the root causes of conflict poverty, environmental degradation and lack of economic opportunity. Financial assistance is essential. Norway firmly believes that conflict prevention, humanitarian relief, and long-term development cannot be regarded as separate tasks. We need an integrated approach in which crisis management and peace-building are part of an overall development strategy.
Development assistance can only be one element in such a strategy.
But we are convinced that it is an important one. We therefore call on other donor countries to follow the Nordic countries and the Netherlands and fulfill the UN target of allocating at least 0.7 per cent of GDP to development efforts. This would be a clear sign of a renewed common commitment to poverty alleviation. It would also promote the dialogue between donor and recipient countries on ways to create inclusive structures and the broadest possible national ownership, so that long-term development becomes an ever more effective means of conflict prevention. Norway is a major provider of humanitarian aid and emergency relief in areas affected by natural disasters and conflicts.