Joint Nordic Statement on United Nations Programme of Assistance
Check Against Delivery
Mr. Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark.
The Nordic Countries would like to thank the Secretary General for his newest report (A/78/514), which covers the activities in the implementation of the Programme in 2023, as well as the activities planned for 2024 and the related administrative and financial implications.
We continue to be strong supporters of an international order based on the rule of law. Rules-based multilateral co-operation is indispensable for tackling global problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty and conflicts. This year there has been some encouraging signs of progress through multilateral efforts, exemplified by the successful conclusion of the BBNJ and the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention, the MLA. This shows that international rules-based cooperation can yield positive results in addressing pressing global issues.
We feel that this is the time to redouble our efforts for the respect of international law. International law not only provides the framework for states’ cooperation, but it also gives expression to the legitimate expectations of the international community. We believe that the rules-based international order depends largely on the professionalism and commitment of people acting on behalf of the States. This highlights the importance and continued relevance of the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law.
Mr. Chair,
Through the Programme of Assistance, generations of government lawyers, judges and diplomats from all around the globe have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the body of law that governs our interconnected world. Additionally, the International Law Fellowship Programme as well as the Regional Courses have been instrumental in providing international law training for young lawyers. All of this has been to the benefit of the international community as a whole. Since its founding in 1965, the Programme of Assistance has made a significant contribution to the goals of the United Nations by providing scholars and practitioners access to high quality international law training and other resources on international law. We commend the active and continued engagement of the Codification Division of the Office of Legal Affairs in pursuing its mandate regarding the Programme of Assistance.
The Nordic countries commend the continuous development of the Audio-visual Library of International Law since 2008. This invaluable resource continues to bring accessible and high quality training to an unlimited number of individuals and institutions around the globe, free of charge. The Nordic Countries welcome the efforts of the Codification Division to continue the development of material produced and provided by the Audio-visual Library in order to better service persons and organisations in areas with limited internet connection.
It is noteworthy that the Audiovisual Library’s resources were of particular relevance during the covid-19 pandemic, which necessitated a quick transformation of the traditional methods of learning into online education, and which continue to be an invaluable resource of reliable legal information of the highest quality accessible to all.
The Nordic countries salute the Member States that have made voluntary contributions to the Programme and encourage all States to consider making such contributions in the future, to sustain continued operations and development of the Programme.
We would like express our continued support to the Programme of Assistance.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.