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Joint Nordic Statement at the UNSC Open Debate on Working Methods of the Security Council

Who Joint Nordic Statement delivered by H.E. Erik Laursen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
Who Joint Nordic Statement delivered by H.E. Erik Laursen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
When 11.03.2024

Check Against Delivery

President,

 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic States, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – and my own country Denmark.

 

Let me commend the Presidency of Japan for convening this open debate and for its efforts as Chair of the IWG.  

 

The Nordics remain committed to ensuring a transparent, accountable and effective Council that is more representative of the current UN membership and reflective of today’s world.

 

We regret that the Council lately has been unable to act on important matters of international peace and security, and call on the Security Council to act in accordance with its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. Legitimate concerns about a lack of transparency, coupled with an absence of results in response to ongoing crises, call the effectiveness – and thereby the legitimacy – of the Council into question.

 

To improve the performance of the Council, the Nordic States would like to highlight three priority areas that should receive the Council’s attention when revising Note 507:

 

1.   First, broaden the participation of non-Council members. We observe a shift towards limited Rule 37 participation. Member States should more frequently be given the opportunity to inform Council deliberations based on relevant and transparent criteria. The Presidency must ensure transparency around requests for, and the granting of Rule 37 invitations. If time-constraints are a concern, preference could be given to group statements.

 

2.   Second, enhance the Council’s work on conflict prevention. To this end, the Council should strengthen its coordination with the Peacebuilding Commission, including by undertaking joint field visits and joint briefings for countries and regions that are on the agendas of both the Council and the PBC. We also support aligning country- or region-specific meetings of the PBC with the Council Programme of Work on these geographies.

 

3.   Third, consider further democratizing its procedures for example through increased co-penholdership by elected members, in line with the Secretary-General’s "A New Agenda for Peace”. We welcome the recently agreed Note on penholdership and co-penholdership, and look forward to its incorporation into an updated Note 507.

 

President,

 

We remind Council members of the ACT Code of Conduct, which calls upon all signatories on the Council, permanent and elected, not only to refrain from voting against credible draft resolutions, but also to support timely and decisive action to prevent or halt mass atrocities.

 

Progress in these key areas will be important to rebuild public trust in the important work of this Council, and realize its potential and promise to act resolutely on threats to international peace and security.

 

I thank you.