Oslo Conference on Armed Violence: Achieving the Millenium Development Goals

Monday, April 19, 2010 - 20:00 to Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 20:00
PeaceWomen Consolidated Themes: 
General Women, Peace and Security
Human Rights
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Organization: 
United Nations Development Programme
Location: 

Armed violence – associated with conflict, crime and interpersonal violence – is an epidemic of global proportions. It represents a fundamental challenge to our common developmental and humanitarian goals, including the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This message was recently articulated by the United Nations Secretary General, in his report on armed violence and development which highlights the costs of armed violence – to development, human rights and in relation to the protection of civilians – and signals the importance of prevention and reduction as a vital component of work to achieve the MDGs through to 2015, and beyond.

States, International Organizations and Civil Society are already engaged in actions and initiatives to prevent and reduce armed violence around the world. To focus these efforts, and in preparation of the The General Assembly High Level Plenary Meeting on the MDGs in New York in September 2010, the Government of Norway and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are organizing a High Level Conference on Armed Violence and the MDGs on 20-22 April 2010.

The Conference will gather Governments and decision-makers from around the globe in Oslo to agree on a framework for practical action - between governments, international organizations and civil society - to strengthen commitments and capacities to achieve measurable reductions in armed violence by 2015.

We look forward to seeing you in Oslo.

Yours sincerely


Jonas Gahr Støre
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Helen Clark
Administrator of the UNDP