Norway congratulates new head of UNICEF

Norway congratulates Anthony Lake on his appointment as new head of the UNICEF.  UNICEF is an important partner for Norway in its efforts to promote children’s rights. 

“The UN has made a good choice in selecting Anthony Lake as new UNICEF head. Lake has extensive political experience and has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing children’s rights. We congratulate him on this appointment,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.  

Mr Lake has served as a US diplomat and was National Security Advisor for President Clinton. He is currently a professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. On 1 May, he will take over from Ann Veneman, who has been executive director of UNICEF for the past five years. 

“UNICEF is an important partner for Norway. We look forward to working with Anthony Lake and UNICEF on reaching the UN Millennium Goals. We still have a job to do to ensure that all children have access to health services and education and protection against abuse,” said Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.

Norway is the third largest donor to UNICEF, after the UK and the US. Norway provides NOK 1.3 billion a year to UNICEF’s work.  A large part of this amount is used to promote children’s education and girls’ rights. 

UNICEF is an important mouthpiece for children and women all over the world, and helps to generate political will and money to improve their lives. UNICEF has a presence in almost all countries and is a key actor both in crises and in long-term development efforts.