Mr. President,
Thank you for convening today’s debate.
Denmark, along with the vast majority of Council members, voted in favour of the resolution we are discussing today.
We deeply regret that the Council was prevented from extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts due to the use of the veto by two permanent members.
Allow me to make three points:
First, Denmark’s position remains clear: Iran must never be allowed to develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. We strongly support continued diplomatic efforts to restore confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, including through international effective verification.
Our debate is taking place in the deeply worrying context of Iran’s non-compliance with its safeguard obligations. Due to this non-compliance the international community is left in the dark as regards the status of Iran’s extensive nuclear programme. The programme has given rise to serious proliferation concerns, in particular because if its production of highly enriched uranium which lacks any credible civilian justification.
Second, we further regret that, due to these vetoes, the Panel is unable to assist the Iran Sanctions Committee in carrying out its crucial role in sanctions implementation.
These Panels conduct independent and impartial investigations, irrespective of geopolitical tensions. Their work is highly valuable not only for Council members, but for all UN Member States.
As we have heard on several occasions, including this morning, some Council members have attempted to frame this as an issue of legality and procedure and to justify their use of the veto in this light.
Denmark refutes that assessment.
On the contrary, blocking this mandate renewal demonstrates the unwillingness of these members to acknowledge that the snapback mechanism was activated in full accordance with Security Council resolution 2231, and that the relevant sanctions measures were consequently reinstated.
These sanctions, irrespectively of the vetoes we are today debating, continue to stand.
Third, this is not the first time that the veto has been used to prevent the renewal of a UN Panel of Experts tasked with helping the Security Council to monitor and take action against threats to international peace and security.
Just two years ago, the renewal of the DPRK Panel of Experts was also blocked by a veto, bringing 15 years of independent monitoring of sanctions to an end.
The UN must not once again be left without independent monitoring simply because the Security Council is blocked. When the Security Council fails to act, the General Assembly has the authority and the responsibility to step up. Denmark stands ready to support potential General Assembly initiatives in this regard.
It is critical that we raise our voices today – in support of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, in defence of transparency and accountability, and against attempts to undermine the credibility of the Council and its decisions.
Denmark will continue to work with all Member States to advance these objectives. We will engage constructively and in good faith to ensure that sanctions regimes are upheld, renewed and adapted, in support of international peace and security.
We call on all Council members to do the same.
I thank you.
