Good afternoon,

It is right here from this warehouse – the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world – that emergency kits are packed with life-saving supplies for the world’s vulnerable children and their families. Helping to improve the lives and rights of children in more than 190 countries around the world.

A short time ago, I had the opportunity together with UNICEF staff and Executive Director Catherine Russell to see how education kits are assembled on the packing line. 

Ensuring access to education for the world’s most vulnerable children, also during humanitarian crisis is critical. Critical for ensuring that children and young people can fulfill their full potential and thereby contribute to their families and communities. Critical for breaking harmful cultural and social norms.  Critical for keeping hope alive.

For 60 years, UNICEF has – from its warehouse here in Copenhagen – shipped supplies in support of children affected by earthquakes, floods, diseases, forced displacement, conflicts, and instability.

And this deserves, a resounding congratulations and thank you on this UNICEF’s 60^th anniversary.

Threats and hardships faced by vulnerable children in so many areas of the world continue today: A girl in Afghanistan faces a today and a tomorrow with limited access to education. A child in Ethiopia faces a today and a tomorrow without access to essential food. A child in Syria faces a winter without clothing that can keep him warm…

In my travels, I have seen first-hand the challenging and often tragic circumstances that children and their families face. I have also seen first-hand, the valuable difference that supplies from this warehouse can make.

From health to education, to nutrition, to recreation, to hygiene, to immunization – these items are critical to support the rights, health and well-being of children around the world.

That is why this operation is so important: Every child, no matter their whereabouts or circumstances, has the right to access the supplies they need to survive and thrive.

Although the challenges are many and complex, UNICEF is there, providing supplies and hope for children and their families. And helping, for instance, to improve the rights of girls to share in equal opportunities and to participate equally in society.

Allow me to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all who contribute to this incredibly important operation – for the future of each child, and the future of our planet. I am certainly proud that we host you here in Denmark...

Thank you.

(Det talte ord gælder)