natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Norwegian Refugee Council have warned of a looming catastrophe.
Det internasjonale Røde Kors og Flyktninghjelpen advarer mot en forestående katastrofe.
According to UN estimates, between 500 and 600 people have been killed and nearly 2 000 wounded in recent weeks.
I følge FN er mellom 500 og 600 mennesker drept og nesten 2000 såret de siste ukene.
The actual numbers are probably higher and are likely to rise rapidly.
De reelle tallene er sannsynligvis høyere og øker raskt.
‘I urge all parties to the conflict to comply with international law, in particular to respect the rules set out in international humanitarian law on the protection of civilians, hospitals and schools.
- Jeg oppfordrer alle parter i konflikten til å etterleve folkeretten, ikke minst humanitærrettens regler om beskyttelse av sivile, sykehus og skoler.
All parties must do what they can to ensure that the emergency aid reaches the civilian population,’ Mr Brende said.
I tillegg må de bidra til at nødhjelpen kommer fram til sivilbefolkningen, sier Brende.
Due to the extensive fighting in the capital Sanaa and the strategically important port city of Aden, the UN and international organisations have withdrawn international staff from Yemen.
På grunn av omfattende kamphandlinger både i hovedstaden Sanaa og den strategisk viktige havnebyen Aden, har FN og internasjonale organisasjoner trukket ut internasjonalt ansatte.
Only a handful of humanitarian organisations are still operating in the country.
Kun et knippe humanitære aktører er fremdeles til stede.
Aid workers from the Yemen Red Crescent have been killed and it is difficult to reach the affected population.
Hjelpearbeidere fra Jemen Røde Halvmåne er blitt drept og tilgangen til den rammede befolkningen er vanskelig.
There have also been reports of overcrowded hospitals, rising food prices and a shortage of water.
Samtidig kommer det rapporter om overfylte sykehus, økende matpriser og vannmangel.
Norway to provide NOK 30 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen
Norge gir 30 millioner kroner i humanitær støtte til Jemen
‘We are deeply concerned about the dramatic developments in Yemen.
- Vi er svært bekymret for den dramatiske utviklingen i Jemen.
Checked against delivery
Sjekket mot framføring
It is a pleasure to, on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to welcome you all to this expert meeting on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
It is a pleasure to, on behalf of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to welcome you all to this expert meeting on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
We appreciate the participation of a group of individuals who are at the forefront in this field.
We appreciate the participation of a group of individuals who are at the forefront in this field.
I am certain you will ensure that our discussions over the coming two days are informative, relevant and innovative.
I am certain you will ensure that our discussions over the coming two days are informative, relevant and innovative.
I am particularly pleased that so many colleagues from other states have made time to attend this meeting.
I am particularly pleased that so many colleagues from other states have made time to attend this meeting.
We have participants with experience from a broad range of countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan and Syria.
We have participants with experience from a broad range of countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan and Syria.
Your first-hand experience will help us make this a productive and useful meeting.
Your first-hand experience will help us make this a productive and useful meeting.
For Norway it is important to support international efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians from the harmful effects of wars and armed conflicts.
For Norway it is important to support international efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians from the harmful effects of wars and armed conflicts.
This has been a consistent priority for decades and is a core aspect of Norwegian foreign policy.
This has been a consistent priority for decades and is a core aspect of Norwegian foreign policy.
We support the UN Secretary-General’s work in this area.
We support the UN Secretary-General’s work in this area.
Today’s meeting is a result of our cooperation with OCHA and their work to implement the mandate given to them by the Secretary-General on explosive weapons.
Today’s meeting is a result of our cooperation with OCHA and their work to implement the mandate given to them by the Secretary-General on explosive weapons.
We also have a number of other partners working both on policy development and on programmes on the ground in affected areas.
We also have a number of other partners working both on policy development and on programmes on the ground in affected areas.
The existing rules of war, in the form of international humanitarian law, are clear.
The existing rules of war, in the form of international humanitarian law, are clear.
Parties to an armed conflict have an obligation to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants and to balance military objectives against the protection of civilians.
Parties to an armed conflict have an obligation to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants and to balance military objectives against the protection of civilians.
Wars are brutal, and international humanitarian law accepts that some civilians will inevitably be harmed.
Wars are brutal, and international humanitarian law accepts that some civilians will inevitably be harmed.
And therefore we have an obligation to never give up our efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians.
And therefore we have an obligation to never give up our efforts to strengthen the protection of civilians.
The purpose of our meeting is to identify existing military policies and practices on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and to look at ways to reduce the potential for negative humanitarian impacts arising from their use.
The purpose of our meeting is to identify existing military policies and practices on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and to look at ways to reduce the potential for negative humanitarian impacts arising from their use.
The aim is not to create new international law, nor to ban a particular weapon.
The aim is not to create new international law, nor to ban a particular weapon.
Rather, we are seeking to promote the full implementation of the existing rules of warfare, in particular the obligation to protect civilians in armed conflict, to the extent possible.
Rather, we are seeking to promote the full implementation of the existing rules of warfare, in particular the obligation to protect civilians in armed conflict, to the extent possible.
We know that the way in which international humanitarian law is practised matters.
We know that the way in which international humanitarian law is practised matters.
Sound military tactics employed in the pursuit of strategic objectives tend to restrict the use of explosive force in populated areas.
Sound military tactics employed in the pursuit of strategic objectives tend to restrict the use of explosive force in populated areas.
This was the case, for example, in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan.
This was the case, for example, in the ISAF operation in Afghanistan.
There are also ample examples from other international military operations that indicate that the excessive use of explosive force in populated areas can undermine both tactical and strategic objectives.
There are also ample examples from other international military operations that indicate that the excessive use of explosive force in populated areas can undermine both tactical and strategic objectives.
The tendency to reduce the use of explosive weapons in populated areas can be seen as part of a long-term downward trend over the last decades.
The tendency to reduce the use of explosive weapons in populated areas can be seen as part of a long-term downward trend over the last decades.
To take just one example, we can look at the use of explosive weapons during the air campaign over Libya in 2013.
To take just one example, we can look at the use of explosive weapons during the air campaign over Libya in 2013.
Explosive weapons were employed within the limits permitted by international humanitarian law, but there was significantly less civilian damage and harm on the ground compared to previous conflicts.
Explosive weapons were employed within the limits permitted by international humanitarian law, but there was significantly less civilian damage and harm on the ground compared to previous conflicts.
This tells us that practice in exercising international humanitarian law, matters.
This tells us that practice in exercising international humanitarian law, matters.
The data on the humanitarian impact of explosive weapons in populated areas, produced in recent years by actors such as the ICRC, the International Network on Explosive Weapons and the UN, are overwhelming.
The data on the humanitarian impact of explosive weapons in populated areas, produced in recent years by actors such as the ICRC, the International Network on Explosive Weapons and the UN, are overwhelming.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas makes civilians the main victims of armed conflict, in both the short and the long term.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas makes civilians the main victims of armed conflict, in both the short and the long term.
Shelling and bombing populated areas, and in particular urban areas, kills and hurts indiscriminately, destroys vital infrastructure and deprives people of housing, health facilities and schools.
Shelling and bombing populated areas, and in particular urban areas, kills and hurts indiscriminately, destroys vital infrastructure and deprives people of housing, health facilities and schools.
This in turn affects post-conflict rehabilitation, peace-building and reconstruction long after the actual fighting is over.
This in turn affects post-conflict rehabilitation, peace-building and reconstruction long after the actual fighting is over.
Nowhere is this more clearly and tragically evident than in Syria.
Nowhere is this more clearly and tragically evident than in Syria.
The Syrian regime’s continuous use of massive explosive force in densely populated areas, including its use of banned cluster munitions and devastating barrel bombs, demonstrates an appalling and criminal neglect of all the basic rules of warfare, in particular the obligation to protect civilians.
The Syrian regime’s continuous use of massive explosive force in densely populated areas, including its use of banned cluster munitions and devastating barrel bombs, demonstrates an appalling and criminal neglect of all the basic rules of warfare, in particular the obligation to protect civilians.
Elements of the opposition are no better in terms of their use of explosives in populated areas, though this has been on a much smaller and less catastrophic scale.
Elements of the opposition are no better in terms of their use of explosives in populated areas, though this has been on a much smaller and less catastrophic scale.
The goal for the discussions we will have over the coming days is to help to establish and improve norms for how governments that are engaged in military operations should implement existing laws of war,
The goal for the discussions we will have over the coming days is to help to establish and improve norms for how governments that are engaged in military operations should implement existing laws of war,
in particular with regard to the use of explosive weapons and where to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable practice.
in particular with regard to the use of explosive weapons and where to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable practice.
The approach taken to this problem so far, with its focus on actual situations and practical experience, is a very useful one.
The approach taken to this problem so far, with its focus on actual situations and practical experience, is a very useful one.
In my view, this is the best way of developing operational recommendations that can change behaviour.
In my view, this is the best way of developing operational recommendations that can change behaviour.
These recommendations can then provide a basis on which states and other actors can develop general norms that can be applied to similar situations.
These recommendations can then provide a basis on which states and other actors can develop general norms that can be applied to similar situations.
A similar approach has been taken on drafting the “Lucens Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict”.
A similar approach has been taken on drafting the “Lucens Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict”.
Norway will take lead on completing and promoting these guidelines, something we believe will significantly enhance protection of civilians in conflict situations.
Norway will take lead on completing and promoting these guidelines, something we believe will significantly enhance protection of civilians in conflict situations.
I wish you all the best of luck with this meeting, which I am confident will be a successful.
I wish you all the best of luck with this meeting, which I am confident will be a successful.
Use of explosive weapons in populated areas
Use of explosive weapons in populated areas
Expert Meeting, Oslo 17 June 2014
Ekspertseminar, Oslo, 17. juni 2014
WTO General Council meeting, Geneva, 20 November 2007
WTO General Council meeting, Geneva, 20 November 2007
Objective of the meeting:
Objective of the meeting:
An opportunity for donors to outline their vision, priorities and plans for Aid for Trade.
An opportunity for donors to outline their vision, priorities and plans for Aid for Trade.
Questions to be addressed:
Questions to be addressed:
Why should Aid for Trade be a priority for countries and regions?
Why should Aid for Trade be a priority for countries and regions?
What is your Aid for Trade strategy, and how does it fit into your wider development assistance policy?
What is your Aid for Trade strategy, and how does it fit into your wider development assistance policy?
How much Aid for Trade do you provide - and do you envisage this increasing in the future?
How much Aid for Trade do you provide - and do you envisage this increasing in the future?
What scope is there for expanding public/private partnerships?
What scope is there for expanding public/private partnerships?
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to outline Norway's priorities and plans for Aid for Trade.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to outline Norway's priorities and plans for Aid for Trade.
I will try to answer the questions you have posed for this discussion and at the same time present our new Action Plan on Aid for Trade.
I will try to answer the questions you have posed for this discussion and at the same time present our new Action Plan on Aid for Trade.
It is indeed a pleasure and an honour to use this occasion here in the WTO Council Room to present our plan for the very first time, - it will be presented back in Norway on Friday, in a meeting with civil society organisations and the press.
It is indeed a pleasure and an honour to use this occasion here in the WTO Council Room to present our plan for the very first time, - it will be presented back in Norway on Friday, in a meeting with civil society organisations and the press.
I will use a few power point slides (look under).
I will use a few power point slides (look under).
Aid for trade is a practical tool to integrate developing countries in the global trade system and as such an important element in our development effort.
Aid for trade is a practical tool to integrate developing countries in the global trade system and as such an important element in our development effort.
Aid for trade is neither a part of nor a substitute for the Doha round of WTO negotiations.
Aid for trade is neither a part of nor a substitute for the Doha round of WTO negotiations.
Norway is a strong supporter of a rules-based and open trade regime based on the WTO, and aims at contributing constructively to a successful and balanced result of the Doha round.
Norway is a strong supporter of a rules-based and open trade regime based on the WTO, and aims at contributing constructively to a successful and balanced result of the Doha round.
Aid for trade is one of our tools to help in particular the least developed and other vulnerable countries to take full part in the rules-based system and to benefit from new trade opportunities.
Aid for trade is one of our tools to help in particular the least developed and other vulnerable countries to take full part in the rules-based system and to benefit from new trade opportunities.
With that point of departure we decided to elaborate an Action Plan for Norway's Aid for Trade.
With that point of departure we decided to elaborate an Action Plan for Norway's Aid for Trade.
(Slide 2:)
(Slide 2:)
At the outset there were many challenges .
At the outset there were many challenges .
Well established development policies didn't seem to give much room for a new priority area like Aid for Trade.
Well established development policies didn't seem to give much room for a new priority area like Aid for Trade.
The important long term goal of improving social sectors in a number of LDCs should not be affected by introducing Aid for Trade as an element in our development policy.
The important long term goal of improving social sectors in a number of LDCs should not be affected by introducing Aid for Trade as an element in our development policy.
How could Aid for Trade fit in?
How could Aid for Trade fit in?
There is, however, an increasing focus on the fact that successful results in the other priority areas would be difficult to achieve without trade and economic growth.
There is, however, an increasing focus on the fact that successful results in the other priority areas would be difficult to achieve without trade and economic growth.
Aid for Trade could help in achieving our development goals on poverty reduction and increased welfare for all.
Aid for Trade could help in achieving our development goals on poverty reduction and increased welfare for all.
One crucial step to start working on this was to bring together the different authorities on trade policy and develoment policy.
One crucial step to start working on this was to bring together the different authorities on trade policy and develoment policy.
(Slide 3:)
(Slide 3:)
A few basic considerations had to be made.
A few basic considerations had to be made.
Given that our resources and administrative capacity is limited, we had to choose a particular focus for our increased efforts, based on our own priorities and those of our partner countries.
Given that our resources and administrative capacity is limited, we had to choose a particular focus for our increased efforts, based on our own priorities and those of our partner countries.
"Supply-side constraints" was a very important term in the arguments for an ambitious international Aid for Trade effort.
"Supply-side constraints" was a very important term in the arguments for an ambitious international Aid for Trade effort.
Infrastructure and productive capacity have been core areas of development cooperation since the very beginning more than 50 years ago.
Infrastructure and productive capacity have been core areas of development cooperation since the very beginning more than 50 years ago.
But in our case, work in these areas was not particularly trade-related.
But in our case, work in these areas was not particularly trade-related.
That was the case, for example, for Norfund - the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries.
That was the case, for example, for Norfund - the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries.
We soon realized that it would be more of a long-term effort to main-stream trade considerations into the bilateral activities related to infrastructure and productive capacity.
We soon realized that it would be more of a long-term effort to main-stream trade considerations into the bilateral activities related to infrastructure and productive capacity.
Further, we considered it very important not to impose additional burden on the weak administrations in the partner countries.
Further, we considered it very important not to impose additional burden on the weak administrations in the partner countries.
Our conclusion was clear: We would channel our additional resources basically through multinational organisations.
Our conclusion was clear: We would channel our additional resources basically through multinational organisations.
(Slide 4:)
(Slide 4:)
Among the multilateral channels we will give particular priority to the Enhanced Integrated Framework.
Among the multilateral channels we will give particular priority to the Enhanced Integrated Framework.
Taking as a point of departure that the WTO should not develop into a development agency, although continuing its technical assistance in areas related to WTO rules, we would channel our new and additional resources in particular through the ITC, UNIDO, and the World Bank, and to some extent through UNCTAD ant the World Customs Organization.
Taking as a point of departure that the WTO should not develop into a development agency, although continuing its technical assistance in areas related to WTO rules, we would channel our new and additional resources in particular through the ITC, UNIDO, and the World Bank, and to some extent through UNCTAD ant the World Customs Organization.
Our aim is that this multilateral focus also could be an important contribution to improved coordination - and hopefully also to develop "one UN" at the country level.
Our aim is that this multilateral focus also could be an important contribution to improved coordination - and hopefully also to develop "one UN" at the country level.
We believe that the EIF has an important potential in this respect.
We believe that the EIF has an important potential in this respect.
The thematic priorities in our Action Plan are:
The thematic priorities in our Action Plan are:
First, "good governance and fight against corruption".
First, "good governance and fight against corruption".
This is also one of the main overall priorities in Norway's development cooperation policy.
This is also one of the main overall priorities in Norway's development cooperation policy.
This means supporting relevant programmes on trade policy, trade facilitiation, standards and trade, and fair trade basically through multilateral organisations.
This means supporting relevant programmes on trade policy, trade facilitiation, standards and trade, and fair trade basically through multilateral organisations.
Second, "regional trade" and third, "women and trade".
Second, "regional trade" and third, "women and trade".
Like others we emphasise the importance of developing trade with neighboring countries.
Like others we emphasise the importance of developing trade with neighboring countries.
And we think it is fundamental to have a particular focus on women in order to help women take full part in trade and economic activity.
And we think it is fundamental to have a particular focus on women in order to help women take full part in trade and economic activity.
(Slide 5:)
(Slide 5:)
I brought with me a few copies of our new Action Plan.
I brought with me a few copies of our new Action Plan.
I hope you will find it interesting.
I hope you will find it interesting.
It would be important for us to have your points of view, also after this meeting.
It would be important for us to have your points of view, also after this meeting.
We would be pleased to receive your opinions by email or by other means.
We would be pleased to receive your opinions by email or by other means.
(Slide 6:)
(Slide 6:)
The Action Plan is of course not the goal of our efforts.
The Action Plan is of course not the goal of our efforts.
It is the starting point for the real job: To develop more and better Aid for Trade.
It is the starting point for the real job: To develop more and better Aid for Trade.