Joint Nordic Statement on Futureproofing Trust for Sustaining Peace

Check against delivery

Mr. President, Members of the Security Council, distinguished briefers, Excellencies,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark.

I thank H.E. Ignazio Cassis for convening us today and for raising the pertinent issue of building trust.

The Nordic countries enjoy a high level of trust within our societies and also see trust as a necessity for effective multilateralism and for building and sustaining peace within and between states. At today’s meeting, we have three recommendations for strengthening trust across the peacebuilding architecture: prioritizing prevention; promoting partnerships; and ensuring the inclusion of diverse actors and perspectives in our processes and initiatives.

First, an important key to building trust is strengthening prevention. A New Agenda for Peace provides a timely opportunity to increase the effectiveness of our collective efforts to sustain peace and rebuild trust in our systems.  To this end, we must look into strengthening capacities for prevention at all levels by integrating climate-sensitivity and operationalizing the close relationship between conflict prevention and the protection and promotion of human rights - as they are both the end of and the means towards more peaceful and just societies.

Second, prioritization of equitable partnerships contributes to building trust among stakeholders and sustaining peace. From regional organizations and local civil society organizations to young people bridging divides within communities and to enhancing sustainability of peace processes through women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in all stages of conflict. To build these inclusive partnerships, we need to have adequate, predictable and sustainable financing for peacebuilding and support especially locally-led peace initiatives. 

Third, enhancing trust through such inclusion and across the UN peacebuilding architecture can contribute to further strengthening the value of the Security Council’s engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission. This cooperation has improved, but the potential remains untapped. The Commission’s convening role, with a focus on national ownership and inclusivity and the peer-to-peer exchanges, can be leveraged to take into account a broader spectrum of voices in the work of the Council.

Excellencies,

In a time when multiple crises test our norms and institutions, we have to work – together – to sustain peace.

Thank you.