The peace-building process in Sierra Leone is one of the most complex that the UN has embarked upon. It is crucial that we not let the dark forces of violence take the upper hand. We must mobilize political will and financial resources so that peace can prevail. At my meeting with Kofi Annan this morning, I assured him of my Government s continued full support for his vital efforts, and for his call to put the fight against poverty and underdevelopment at the top of the international agenda. 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 fulfil the UN target of allocating at least 0.7 per cent of GDP to development efforts.