NATIONAL STATEMENT - UNICEF STRATEGIC PLAN 2026 - 2029
Agenda Item 4 | Executive Board of UNICEF | Second Regular Session
Statement by H.E Ambassador James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
2 September 2025
Thank you, Mr President, Executive Director Russell, and colleagues.
Australia welcomes the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2026–2029 and stands ready to endorse it.
The Plan comes at a critical juncture for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
UNICEF’s mandate is central to this mission, and we urge UNICEF to intensify and sharpen its efforts supporting developing countries to achieve the SDGs.
We commend UNICEF for placing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at the heart of your work.
Gender equality drives economic growth, enhances social cohesion and increases the wellbeing of all members of society.
The disruption in the multilateral system highlights the need for meaningful reform. Reform must reinforce the principles that underpin the UN’s global leadership in peace, development and human rights.
Australia asks UNICEF to share with the Executive Board, in concrete terms, how it is responding to the UN80 Initiative.
Member states need transparent information on how UNICEF is targeting its effort towards efficiencies while maintaining a focus on its core value-add.
UNICEF’s differentiated approach should also recognise the unique exogenous vulnerabilities of Small Island Development States, including Pacific Island Countries, and ensure continued support to the region.
These past years have seen rising conflict and crises, but fewer resources for action. Delivering principled humanitarian action, underpinned by international humanitarian law, has never been more important. This Strategic Plan recognises those variables.
We thank UNICEF for its tireless work in dangerous humanitarian contexts and offer our condolences to staff and families affected by loss and violence.
We welcome UNICEF’s engagement on the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. And we invite all member states to join us in galvanizing this vital international commitment to protect humanitarians wherever they are.
Thank you.