Opnunarávarp á Reykjavik Global Forum ráðstefnunni

Reykjavik Global Forum

Opening Statement by
H.E. Mr. Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland

It gives me great pleasure to address you all from Iceland in our beautiful Concert Hall Harpa. 

In recent years we have welcomed hundreds of women leaders here to explore means and measures to empower leaders, find synergies in our work, and share experiences. 
However, this year has brought challenges that affect us all. This unique event is an example of how we have had to adjust, sometimes in the most creative manner. As the Reykjavik Global Forum takes place virtually this year, we welcome more women than ever from all over the world. 

The pandemic has made our work towards a more gender equal world more important than before. We clearly see risks of serious setbacks in women’s rights and empowerment all around the world, which we must counter. Supporting women leaders and promoting their active participation in all areas of the society, is key. 

I am proud of the very talented women leaders within our Foreign Service. For the first time, half of the Ministry’s leadership are women, and, for the first time, women lead half of our bilateral Embassies. This did not happen through quotas or as a part of an explicit goal. It happened through allowing men and women to be equally considered for each position in a world that had been male dominated for a long time.

Dear leaders,

Since we cannot welcome you in Iceland this year, we would also like to connect with you through our Embassies around the world. Women Political Leaders invite local leaders to engage and share experiences in events called the Reykjavik Satellites, where our Embassies will facilitate a dialogue on how to reach gender parity on a global level. 

In closing, I would like to thank you for joining us today on this virtual journey of dialogue – and next year as previous years I hope to welcome you in person.