Iceland gets the nervous system in writing at the United Nations

Last June 8 associations of people with nervous disorders and injuries in Iceland, in addition to nearly 26 thousand Icelanders – about 11% of the population – sent a letter to Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General to the United Nations requesting that the United Nations make “increasing the understanding on the functions of the nervous system” one of the new development goals that were to be enacted by the institution last September. We did not reach our goal, but we did manage to get the nervous system mentioned in a political statement by world leaders. The nervous system is therefore mentioned in writing at the United Nations as one of the issues to be tackled in the next 15 years.

Declaration no. 26.

To promote physical and mental health and well-being, and to extend life expectancy for all, we must achieve universal health coverage and access to quality health care. No one must be left behind. We commit to accelerating the progress made to date in reducing newborn, child and maternal mortality by ending all such preventable deaths before 2030. We are committed to ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education. We will equally accelerate the pace of progress made in fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis, Ebola and other communicable diseases and epidemics, including by addressing growing anti-microbial resistance and the problem of unattended diseases affecting 7 developing countries. We are committed to the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases, including behavioural, developmental and neurological disorders, which constitute a major challenge for sustainable development.

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Speech to the Nordic Council’s Health Committee

October 29, 2024

Today, Auður Guðjónsdóttir addressed the Health Committee of the Nordic Council during this year’s Nordic Council Session , held in Iceland from October 28 to October 31 . As a dedicated advocate for spinal cord injury research and treatment, Auður emphasized the urgent need for increased collaboration and investment in finding a cure for paralysis. Her speech highlighted the critical role that the Nordic countries can play in advancing neurological research and improving the quality of life for those affected by spinal cord injuries. The Nordic Council’s commitment to health and innovation presents a unique opportunity to push for stronger initiatives, research funding, and policy changes that could accelerate breakthroughs in spinal cord injury treatment. By addressing the Health Committee , Auður continues to champion the cause, ensuring that spinal cord injuries remain a priority issue on the Nordic agenda .

Thank you, Icelanders

August 6, 2024

Recently, the new advertisement from the Icelandic Spinal Cord Injury Institute, “A Call to the World to Cure Paralysis,” has been aired on RÚV and across social media. In Iceland alone, it has been viewed over a million times on social media platforms.

Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Reply

By Berglind Skúladóttir Sigurz • January 5, 2024

Letter nr. 3 from Amina J. Mohammed Reyply nr. 3 from UN

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