Minister Chikunga, your excellencies, distinguished delegates and colleagues,

Good afternoon – Dumelaang – Sanibonani!

Congratulations to the government of South Africa on your G20 Presidency. Norway is honored to participate as a guest country to the G20.

While consensus was not reached here today, the Chair’s Statement sends a clear message: We will not go back.

We will not allow reactionary forces to gain ground and expand their influence. Norway will continue to stand firm, loud and proud for gender equality.

Since the Beijing Declaration 30 years ago, progress has been hard fought and hard won. But a moment of carelessness can undo a lifetime of work.

We cannot afford to be careless with the lives of millions of women and girls worldwide.

Gender equality, inclusion, and diversity are not just ideals – they are investments - in individuals, families, and societies.

At its core, gender equality is about freedom: the freedom to make choices and shape our own path. It means equal rights, equal opportunities, and fair treatment - regardless of identity.

Too often, a girl’s future is determined by her gender - not her potential. Equality is still treated as optional, rather than a human right. The presentations from the OECD earlier today, blatantly confirms this.

Norway strongly supports the Chair’s Statement. The statement is a promise of action. I wish to highlight three key commitments:

  • Investment in the care economy, including affordable, high-quality early childhood care and education - essential for labour market equality and women’s economic autonomy.
  • Investment and access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. Real equality requires self-determination and bodily autonomy. Norway remains committed to every girl’s and woman’s right to decide over her body - her life - and her future.
  • Lastly, mainstreaming gender equality across all G20 processes to integrate intersectional perspectives and accelerate progress. A gender lens must be applied in all fields to achieve equality. This is crucial to not unintentionally reinforce inequalities.

We, the ministers in this room represent more than two thirds of the world’s women and girls, in all their diversity. We owe it to them to protect the progress achieved and to push forward.

Thank you.