Joint Nordic Statement at UNSC High-Level Open Debate on Peace through Dialogue
Check Against Delivery
President, Excellencies,
Thank you for calling today’s meeting on peace through dialogue in this difficult time of unfolding wars and conflicts. Thank you also to the distinguished briefers.
It is my privilege to deliver this statement on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Denmark.
Sustainable peace can only be achieved by the parties to the conflict. Third parties, be it international actors, neighboring countries or regional organizations, can provide support for the parties to find mutually acceptable solutions.
President, in today’s Open Debate, I want to make four points.
Firstly, dialogue is a key tool in resolving conflicts. But it is also a conflict prevention tool. And we encourage the Council to better utilise its potential preventive role under Chapter VI of the Charter. Here we also suggest leveraging the potential of the Peacebuilding Commission to facilitate inclusive conflict prevention and resolution.
The UN has a unique role in supporting parties to peaceful settlements of disputes. The Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace is an opportunity to strengthen the role of member states to address the current security challenges and evolving threats. It is an opportunity to further develop non-violent conflict resolution mechanisms and the UN’s diplomatic toolbox across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus.
My second point is about the role of regional and subregional organizations. These can play a significant role with their local knowledge and potential personal relationships. The UN Charter is clear on this role for regional organizations in chapter VIII. We encourage more frequent use of this chapter, including deepening the cooperation and information sharing between the Security Council and regional organizations.
The importance of local ownership of any process cannot be underestimated.
This brings me to my third point. As clearly set out in the New Agenda for Peace, ownership is essential to any process of conflict prevention and conflict resolution. The parties need come up with and own their solutions, and the ownership must be inclusive.
Which brings me to my fourth point; inclusion. Peace processes should always reflect the needs and perspectives of the stakeholders affected by conflict. Strengthening the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, youth and civil society at large is critical. It pays off adding seats to the table. If you look at current conflicts, the world speaks for itself; if a process is not inclusive, it is hard to reach sustainable peace.
President, thank you for convening the debate today on a topic that is now more critical than ever. We, the Nordics, want to stress that we stand together with the United Nations and member states committed to a future that brings peace, stability and development for all.
Let me conclude with the message from late President Ahtisaari of Finland who passed away this week: "If we work together, we can find solutions. We should not accept any excuses from those in power. Peace is a question of will."
I thank you.