Our foreign policy has always reflected high priority on gender equality. Thi...

Our foreign policy has always reflected high priority on gender equality. This year we celebrate that 95 years have passed since women gained the right to vote, and 30 years ago a women was first elected President. For the first time, our Government is now led by a woman… Iceland will be a strong supporter of UN Women, as we have been through the transitional phase. Another cause for this assembly to celebrate is the ten year anniversary of resolution 1325. It has been a priority of our foreign policy, and let the nations of the UN combine to celebrate by raising the participation of women in peace negotiations. Empowering women is empowering society. But it is exactly with reference to women's rights that we have learned with utter sadness about the decision of Iranian courts to stone to death an Iranian woman, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. President Ahmadinejad, on behalf of the Icelandic people I ask you to spare Ashtiani.