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Joint Nordic Statement at the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on 7 March 2024

Who Joint Nordic Statement by H.E. Erik Laursen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
Who Joint Nordic Statement by H.E. Erik Laursen, Deputy Permanent Representative of Denmark to the UN
When 07.03.2024

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Excellences, Co-Chairs,

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

First of all, thank you to the Co-Chairs for hosting us yet again in this innovative and useful structured dialogue on individual reform proposals. We believe the format has already proven highly constructive and instilled renewed momentum in the reform discussions. 

We also wish to thank Liechtenstein, Mexico, and the L.69, G4 and UfC groups for engaging constructively with the format and submitting their own respective reform proposals. We encourage other groups and individual states with ideas for reform to also submit their models for discussion in this session. 

Co-Chairs, Ambassador,

We read the G4 group’s proposal with great interest and wish to note several important elements in G4’s proposed model. First of all, the proposal would ensure greater representation of African, Asian, and Latin American and Caribbean states. The Nordic countries see improved and more equitable representation as one of the essential elements of a balanced expansion of the Security Council. As such, the model would make the Council more reflective of the global realities of the 21st century. While also taking a significant step towards redressing the historical injustice against the African continent through better representation on the Council. 

Furthermore, we take positive note of the G4 model’s proposals for working method reform. The Nordic countries stress the importance of ensuring that any expansion of the Security Council does not negatively impact the full participation of all Security Council members in its work - with particular emphasis on elected members. In this light, we would welcome further proposals for improving the working methods of an enlarged Council to ensure that the reform also contributes to enhancing the transparency and inclusiveness of the Council’s work. 

Ambassador,

Having read the Group of Four’s proposal with keen interest, we would like to use this opportunity to seek clarification on a couple of elements in the proposed model. In this regard, we are particularly interested in the proposed 15-year review of the veto for new permanent members.

First, we would like to ask if the Group of 4 would be open to expanding the scope of the proposed 15-year review to include other relevant elements such as, for instance, the full structure and functioning of the Council at the given time and not only the amended elements?

Second, we would be curious to hear more details about the automaticity of and which format and majority required for decision-making you envisage within the 15-year review?

Third, we took note of the model’s proposal to invite Member States to continue discussions on use of the veto in certain circumstances and wish to ask if the Group of 4 envisions that such a discussion could include limitations on the veto, for instance through restraint in the use of the veto in line with the ACT Code of Conduct and the French-Mexican Political Declaration, or even further possible restrictions on the scope of the veto?

Co-Chairs, 

Finally, we would like to once again thank you and the Member States and groups of states that have already engaged actively and constructively with this new format. We look forward to continuing the structured dialogues on individual reform models.

Thank you.