Joint Nordic Statement at UNSC Open Debate on Sustaining Peace through Common Development

Check Against Delivery

Mr. President, Excellencies,

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

I thank the Presidency of the Security Council for convening us today.

We have long recognised the nexus between sustainable development, peace, and respect for human rights. But the stark reality we face today, in a time with rising number of armed conflicts, emphasises the urgency with which we must act. In order to address the underlying drivers of insecurity, promoting the 2030 Agenda in its entirety and the achievement of the SDGs must remain the all-encompassing priority. There can be no sustainable development without peace. No sustainable peace without development, and no peace and development without human rights.

First, it is clear that we must address inequalities between countries. The global effects of climate change have worsened – and LDCs carry the heaviest toll. They account for less than 4 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions, yet are affected most by climate change. The destructive impact of climate change is therefore a driver for growing inequality. It is also well known that among those facing the most serious consequences of climate change are those living in Small Island Developing States. Finding workable solutions is the joint responsibility of all states.

The climate crisis is one of the greatest threats to international peace and security, and we must work urgently as well as strategically to better address interlinkages between climate change, peace and security and sustainable development. Especially in fragile contexts. The Nordic countries remain committed to supporting conflict-sensitive efforts for adaptation and mitigation in order to foster greater resilience. Climate-sensitivity is also an area in which coherent inter-agency analyses could be strengthened to underpin the work of peacekeeping operations and special political missions.

Second, the New Agenda for Peace promotes key actions for addressing the link between peace and sustainable development. Delivering effective solutions on prevention, peacebuilding and sustaining peace require multi-dimensional engagements. The Nordic countries remain committed to strengthening the peacebuilding architecture. In this respect we should elevate the advisory, bridging and convening roles of the Peacebuilding Commission.

Third, a fundamental requirement for delivering on these agendas is financing and addressing the burden of debt that also affect the countries in transition contexts. The role of the International Financial Institutions and regional development banks in financing the transition towards sustainable development and peace is critical. Moreover, it is key that we act on ensuring that assessed contributions to the Peacebuilding Fund become a reality. This is long overdue.

Fourth, the Nordic countries remain committed to working with partners to advance our work for inclusion, in particular on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda. These agendas not only provide a meaningful contribution to peace and security. They are absolutely necessary for sustainable peace.

Finally, we must redouble our efforts to achieve the full and effective operationalisation of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Our collective efforts cannot hope to advance sustainable development and peace, if our engagements are not based on a comprehensive whole-of-system response.

Indeed, development, peace and security, and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, as recognized in the sustaining peace agenda. The Nordics will continue to work to promote a response based on greater cooperation, coherence, coordination and complementarity among development, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian action and sustaining peace: A response rooted in efficiency and effectiveness in addressing the needs of people and communities.

I thank you.