National statement, delivered by H.E. Andreas von Uexküll, Deputy Representative of Sweden to the UN, at the UNICEF Executive Board Annual Session, New York, 16 June 2026
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Mr/Madam President,
Children are paying an enormous price for the negative trends in today’s global context. Ongoing conflicts, growing humanitarian needs, economic pressures, shrinking fiscal space, and the push-back against human rights are affecting children everywhere.
In such a challenging environment, UNICEF’s mandate, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is fundamental. Sweden emphasises the importance of UNICEF’s normative role – in partner countries and in multilateral fora – particularly in relation to gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the protection of children against violence and harmful practices. The Centrality of Protection is a key principle to safeguard in humanitarian interventions. We appreciate the clarity of UNICEF’s Strategic Plan on all these issues.
Setting firm priorities, increasing cost efficiency and effectiveness, and securing new sources of financing are imperative. Pursuing innovation – in close partnership with the private sector – is also key to delivering results with limited resources.
We would like to stress the importance of core funding for UNICEF’s ability to deliver on its mandate – protecting the rights of children everywhere, with a priority given to those most in need.
While Sweden maintains a high level of core funding, the overall decline in such funding is therefore deeply concerning. This trend must be reversed.
We encourage donors to consider increasing their flexible contributions, and UNICEF to consider strengthening transparency and incentives for core funding – including well deserved recognition and visibility, also at country level.
Finally, Sweden strongly support the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative and the swift implementation of reform measures that have already been agreed. We underline the importance of UNICEF’s proactive and constructive engagement in this process, to drive reform, efficiency and coherence across the UN system.
In this regard, we would like to emphasise that the RC/HC should be the primary, though not the only, interlocutor for partners to ensure continued alignment with and implementation of the Cooperation Framework at country level.
We also firmly support the Secretary-General’s recommendation that entity specific programming tools follow the design of the Cooperation Framework.
Entity presence should be based on needs identified therein and on available resources. Resources must prioritize delivery and technical expertise.
In closing, Sweden recognises the important organisational adjustment that UNICEF is undertaking in response to a difficult financial situation. We express our great appreciation for the dedication of UNICEF staff who continue, under very challenging circumstances, to deliver for children and uphold their rights.
Thank you.
