World leaders gathered at the United Nations this week. The ripple effects of the pandemic, the climate crisis and the many problems created by Russia’s war in Ukraine characterize the summit.

– People will judge us critically when world leaders gather here now, Achim Steiner, head of UNDP’s UN development programme, told NTB.

He compared his situation to a time of the worst crisis the world has ever experienced, going back to the post-war days when today’s United Nations was formed. Steiner agreed with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who called on rich countries to contribute more to solving many crises.

Shows that Norway makes a lot

– These are very difficult times. The question is should we divide as an international community when the going gets tough? Or should we find the strength to understand that the easiest way out of this crisis is for us to get closer to each other, and see that we have a common interest in dealing with it, says Steiner.

He was among those critical when the government proposed earlier this year to cut all core support to UNDP and also cut other UN programs. Steiner asked Norway to remember what the country gains in terms of influence, reputation and stability by being a major backer.

– Norway is in a very strange situation this year. They are making huge profits from rising energy prices around the world. GDP is growing beyond what is usually mythological, says Steiner.

He said he understood that there were political and complex issues at home, but that it would be poorly received in the world if Norway made new cuts.

– It won’t be easy to understand other countries, who struggle to pay their teachers, who close hospitals or can’t import medicine or have money for food, says Steiner.

– More will die

The UN summit says the world needs Norwegians out there more than ever. He worries other countries will say that if Norway cuts or doesn’t increase spending, they will do the same.

– If the star starts to back away or distracts, it will have an effect, says Steiner.

– If, for example, it affects relief funds, it could mean more people will die, Steiner said.

The UNDP recently submitted a standard of living report, showing that for the first time in history there has been a decline in nine out of ten countries in the world for two consecutive years. Cutting support for them will have immediate consequences.

– This will reduce our ability to help others achieve the world’s development goals. So from the extreme it can mean the difference between life and death, to maybe we get a new generation of children who are left behind because of a neglected education system. Or it triggered a financial crisis, Steiner said.

– I think this is a very real scenario. It’s not theory or hypothetical, but something we’ve already seen, he said.

Concerned about Norway and Europe

Achim Steiner met with Development Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim (Sp) earlier this week. He was reassured by an understanding of UNDP’s work.

– But I’m still worried, not just for Norway. There are worrying signs of cuts across Europe now, Steiner said.

The UNDP chief has indicated several times that it is in the interest of all countries to find solutions. Several years of progress have been whispered. To catch up, we need a power ceiling that must be financed by rich countries.

– I think we are at a time where, in a politically depressed environment in many countries, it is easier to focus on the enemy on the outside and our own national interests on the inside. But that’s not going to work, says Steiner.

– I ask people to understand that this year we have more wars, more conflicts and more refugees and displaced people than we have since 1945. But now in September all nations are gathered here in New York. “I think it’s important to take it with you,” he said.

Financial crisis alert

In addition to lowering the prices of essentials like food and energy, and actually delivering products to people, he believes the world must come together to avoid a worsening economic crisis.

– If we continue to ignore the need to meet the challenge of getting more liquidity in the international financial system, while at the same time dealing with debt relief, we will see perhaps a dozen countries go from debt problems to defaulting on their debts, Steiner predicts.

He pointed out that was happening in Sri Lanka, but wondered what would happen to the international system if more countries were affected.

– Imagine what would happen if it happened to six, seven, eight countries. Maybe someone not so far from Europe. Then the financial markets will be very nervous. We’ve seen it before. And can we really allow countries to drift into chaos? In the next moment, we must fight terrorism, said Steiner.

He describes a world that is in many ways more divided than before, but at the same time even more intertwined in destiny than before.

– We must understand what is in our common interest. And then we have to work as a richer country to solve the problems that poor countries have, said UNDP chairman Achim Steiner.