National Statement of Iceland
43rd session of the General Conference of UNESCO - General Policy Debate
Samarkand, 31 October 2025
Delivered by H.E. Ms. Bergdís Ellertsdóttir, Deputy Permanent Secretary
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Iceland

Mr. President of the General Conference
Ms. Chairperson of the Executive Board,
Ms. Director-General,
Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

We meet in Samarkand at a defining moment for multilateralism. Around the world, conflict, disinformation, and inequality are eroding trust and weakening our collective resolve. Yet it is precisely in such times that the work and values of UNESCO matter most.

UNESCO embodies the spirit of global partnership. Integrity and good governance are essential to building trust, supported by a transparent and strategic budget. UNESCO and its Member States must confront current financial challenges and set clear priorities for the future.

As we thank UNESCO’s outgoing Director-General for her work and dedication, we place our confidence in the new Director-General to lead with transparency and trust and unwavering commitment to human-rights for all, and science for the planet’s future.

Human rights are indivisible and apply to all, without exception, including women and girls, minorities, and LGBTQI+ persons, whose rights must be protected in every society.

Gender equality remains one of UNESCO’s two Global Priorities.SDG5 Gender equality is a prerequisite for peace, progress, and prosperity. Tackling harmful gender norms, stereotypes, and discrimination is essential for building inclusive, just and peaceful societies. 

We also highlight the importance of meaningful and full integration of youth in driving and shaping UNESCO’s work.

Education is the foundation of peace, equality, and sustainable development but today, millions of children, especially girls, remain excluded from schooling, often in conflict zones or under repressive regimes, such as in Afghanistan, where women and girls face blatant gender persecution. UNESCO must continue to stand with Afghan women and girls, keeping education alive and ensuring their voices are not erased.

UNESCO’s leadership in digital learning, and support for teachers and national education systems show that the Organization delivers where it matters most; in classrooms, communities and conflict zones. 

Likewise, culture is not an accessory to development; it is a driver of it. Culture binds humanity together and serves as both bridge and source of resilience. Iceland welcomes the outcomes of MONDIACULT 2025 and the new Framework for Culture and Arts Education, which provide a roadmap for recognizing, protecting and promoting cultural rights globally. 

UNESCO also has the unique mandate to safeguard freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. Freedom of expression is the foundation of healthy democracies. When journalists are silenced, truth dies; when artists are censored, culture withers; and when scientists are suppressed, progress stalls.

UNESCO’s work in these areas is crucial to building informed, free and democratic societies. 

The world faces unprecedented challenges: the climate crisis, ocean degradation; and important ethical questions around artificial intelligence and neurotechnology. These demand policies grounded in science, facts, and ethics - not ideology or political convenience. 

UNESCO’s work on open science and through the IOC helps shape global standards and frameworks. The role of a strong, functionally autonomous IOC is essential. 

UNESCO’s emergency programs demonstrate the Organization’s capacity to respond with speed, expertise, and compassion.

In Ukraine, UNESCO has been vital in protecting cultural heritage, supporting education continuity, and defending journalists working under immense pressure, while Russia continues its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and shows no willingness for peace.

In Gaza, UNESCO’s emergency program, from monitoring damaged cultural sites to supporting education in impossible circumstances and providing psychosocial support for children, is a lifeline for communities facing horrific devastation.

These interventions, as in Sudan, Syria and Yemen, remind us that UNESCO’s mandate is not abstract; it is about protecting humanity’s capacity to learn, create, and hope - even amid war.

Excellencies,

Iceland will continue to champion UNESCO as a platform for constructive dialogue, grounded in human rights, science, and respect for diversity.

Let us work towards renewed trust in multilateralism and a future where UNESCO stands stronger, more resilient, and better equipped to serve future generations.

Thank you.