Estonian Pledge Statement at the UNICEF Executive Board 2013

07.02.2013

Mr. President,

Estonia welcomes many efforts made by UNICEF towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and UNICEF contributions to implement the Rio+ 20 outcome. We hope UNICEF continues to be active in the debate on post 2015 agenda to get the important issues such as focus on education, gender, children’s rights and resilience on the new agenda.

Estonia has supported UNICEF’s activities for 15 years and is increasing its core contribution year by year as well as supporting UNICEF’s development and humanitarian aid programmes and projects in many countries.  UNICEF has been a key partner to Estonia while channeling its contributions to various projects when crises and disasters have arisen. In 2012 Estonia supported UNICEF’s activities in 8 different countries with almost half a million euros - the biggest annual contribution we have made to UNICEF so far.

Estonia highly supports the activities and work UNICEF has done in protection of children’s rights and survival of children in the world. We are pleased to see the results achieved in so many areas; for instance strengthening and recognition of child protection and the reduction of child mortality, just to name a few. Estonia hopes that UNICEF will continue to implement protection, health and education programmes for children in conflict and post-disaster/post-conflict countries with a strong focus on gender equality, to have more efforts on preparedness and resilience, to pursue innovations and to respond to the emergency needs of children and women.

Mr President

I am pleased to announce Estonia’s increased core contribution to UNICEF for 2013 by almost 33% with the sum of 60 000 Euros. Estonia also contributes 20 000 Euros to Girls’ Education Initiative in 2013. With the aim to assure predictability of funds Estonia has already transferred its 2013 core contribution to UNICEF and UNGEI.

Last week in Kuwait Conference Estonia pledged 300 000 euros to support Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. I am pleased to inform you that 100 000 euros from this pledge will be donated to UNICEF to support continuation of education of Syrian children in Lebanon.

Additionally Estonia has contributed 30 000 euros to the Violence against Children Trust Account, managed by UNICEF, to support activities of the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children in 2013.

Our increased contributions shows our confidence in UNICEF’s work in protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Estonia is committed to support UNICEF’s activities also in the future with possible increased contributions. 

Thank you!