Joint Nordic Statement at the general debate of the First Committee
Check Against Delivery
Mr Chair,
It is an honour to address this Committee on behalf of the Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark.
As we meet here today, the Russian Federation continues its devastating war of aggression against a sovereign country, Ukraine. It uses a wide range of conventional weapons – often contrary to International Humanitarian Law, for which it must be held accountable.
Russia’s continued use of escalatory nuclear rhetoric and its decision to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus, contrary to the commitments of Russia and Belarus under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, are reckless and highly irresponsible. Its announcement of suspending its participation in the New START Treaty is also of great concern.
The Nordic countries condemn in the strongest possible way the illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We also condemn Belarus for its role in the Russian aggression.
The arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation architecture and bilateral and multilateral cooperation have been undermined by this behaviour.
Across the disarmament architecture, we have seen how Russia has blocked the participation of UN Member States, international organisations and civil society in various processes. This is an unacceptable and worrying trend. Multilateralism can only be credible if conducted in a manner that upholds inclusivity and transparency. We also call on China to engage substantially in dialogues on arms control.
We reject Russia’s blockage of the consideration of the requests by States not members of the Conference on Disarmament to participate in the work of the Conference, and we stress the need to ensure the participation of UN Member States not members of the Conference, upon their request, in the work of the Conference in 2024.
The Nordic countries deeply regret that Russia prevented the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty from reaching a consensus outcome. We are also concerned that the first session of the Preparatory Committee for 2026 Review Conference made only very modest progress, despite encouraging discussions on further strengthening the review process of the Treaty. The Nordic countries remain deeply committed to the NPT and its three pillars. The NPT remains the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, the essential foundation for nuclear disarmament and an important element for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is an integral part of the nuclear disarmament architecture and we welcome the many recent ratifications. We strongly urge states outside the treaty, in particular the remaining Annex II states, to sign and ratify the treaty, as its entry into force will guarantee a legally binding moratorium on nuclear testing. Meanwhile, we urge all States, to abide by a moratorium on nuclear test explosions or any other nuclear explosions. We also reaffirm our support for early negotiation and conclusion of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty and urge all states concerned to declare and uphold a moratorium on the production of fissile material.
We commend the UN Group of Governmental Experts to further consider Nuclear Disarmament Verification issues for reaching a substantial final report by consensus. This shows that it is possible to progress work on nuclear disarmament. We encourage all states to support the work and the report from the Group.
The Nordic countries pledge our full and continued support for the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency in its crucial role underpinning the implementation of the NPT. A Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with an Additional Protocol is the current verification standard. We commend the efforts of the IAEA to ensure nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, including at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.
The Nordic countries continue to fully support the IAEA’s work to monitor Iran’s nuclear programme. It is of paramount importance that Iran does not develop or acquire a nuclear weapon. We are highly concerned that Iran is expanding its capability to enrich uranium and its stockpiles, including of highly enriched uranium, escalating its violations of limits established by the JCPoA. We urge Iran to return to full compliance with the agreement and its safeguards obligations and to address outstanding safeguards issues without delay in full cooperation with the Agency.
The DPRK’s further increase in unlawful launches of ballistic missiles this year and its continuing nuclear programme threaten international and regional peace and security. The UN Security Council should address this appropriately. We urge the DPRK to completely, verifiably and irreversibly abandon its nuclear and ballistic programmes, to re-commit to a meaningful dialogue and refrain from conducting any nuclear test.
Mr. Chair
The re-emergence of chemical weapons is an urgent threat to international peace and security and needs to be dealt with firmly and collectively.
In recent years, we have witnessed the use of chemical weapons in Syria, Iraq, Malaysia and the UK, and most recently Russia. Any use of chemical weapons, under any circumstances, is a clear breach of international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Impunity for breaches of the global norms against chemical weapons cannot be tolerated. We underline our full and unequivocal confidence in the objectivity, impartiality, independence and technical expertise of the OPCW’s Technical Secretariat. We regret that the 5th Review Conference of the CWC earlier this year ended without a consensual outcome.
On a positive note, we welcome the complete destruction by the United States on the 7th of July of its remaining chemical weapons stockpile, and regard this as a very important milestone for the CWC, OPCW and the international community.
The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention is a vital pillar of the disarmament regime. The Nordic countries are encouraged by the establishment of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention, and we remain committed to contribute constructively to all items on its agenda in order to reach consensus on ways to strengthen the convention and its implementation.
Mr. Chair,
Weapons of mass destruction tend to dominate the disarmament dialogue and for valid reasons. However, there are other important disarmament and arms control issues on the agenda of this distinguished committee.
The Nordic countries are committed to the Anti-Personnel Landmine Treaty. We urge other participating states to join us in the effort to implement the strong and ambitious action plan and the road map. With its humanitarian purpose, this Convention contributes to ending the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines and to enable humanitarian access. We call on all States that have not yet done so to join the Convention without further delay.
We also call on all UN Member states to join the Arms Trade Treaty.
The illicit flows of small arms and light weapons constitute a key challenge to international peace, security and development. The Nordic countries support instruments addressing this important issue, including The UN Programme of Action and the UN Secretary General’s Agenda for Disarmament.
The Nordic countries welcome the work over the past years of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), including the reflection in the 2023 report of the so-called “two-tier” approach to weapons systems in the area of LAWS. We consider the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons the right forum to discuss issues regarding emerging technologies in this area.
The Nordic countries are firmly committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space. We regard outer space as a common good for the benefit of all. Strengthened multilateral cooperation is needed to preserve and enhance the safety, security and sustainability in outer space activities. To this end, we welcome and support the resolution on “Reducing Space Threats Through Responsible Behaviour” and the establishment of a new OEWG to make recommendations on the development of norms, rules and principles for responsible behaviour.
A globally accessible, free, open and secure cyberspace is fundamental to economic growth and development, as well as maintaining international peace and security. The Nordic countries are committed to promoting the full application of existing international law in cyberspace.
Finally, yet importantly, let me turn to the issue of gender. Gender equality and the full inclusion of women into our substantive work should be the order of the day. The Nordic countries accept and expect nothing less.
Mr. Chair
The Nordic countries will make every effort to contribute constructively to the important work of the First Committee and beyond. In that endeavour they will be guided by the time-tested spirit of Nordic cooperation and compassion.
Thank you.