Joint Nordic Statement at Security Council Open Debate on Small Arms and Light Weapons

Check Against Delivery 

Madam President,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark.

Let me start by thanking Ecuador for convening this important meeting, and the briefers for valuable contributions.

The illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition continue to initiate, exacerbate and sustain armed conflict and violence at the national, regional and global levels. They derail States from their paths towards sustainable development, facilitate organized crime, impede humanitarian assistance and endanger civilians, including women and children.

As evidenced in the report of the Secretary-General the situation is not improving. On the contrary, we have seen a surge in civilian casualties. The situation has been further aggravated by the ongoing illegal, unprovoked and unjustifiable aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

As suggested in the report, we must step up the control of small arms and light weapons and combat all irresponsible and illegal trade or use of small arms and light weapons. We must pay special attention to the serious effects of uncontrolled arms flows on children and youths and we encourage the Security Council to further examine this issue.

Illicit flows of small arms and light weapons have far-reaching consequences and seriously hampers economic and social development. As highlighted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, uncontrolled flows of arms and ammunition is a global development issue which must be addressed in a comprehensive manner, including at regional, national and local levels.

The African Union’s initiative on “Silencing the Guns” and the operational collaboration with the UN is worth highlighting in this regard. The Nordics are long-standing partners of the AU and we support this effort.

At the global level, the policy brief of the Secretary-General, A New Agenda for Peace, is an important opportunity for renewed action on small arms and light weapons. The Nordic countries welcome the recommendations set forth by the Secretary-General.

The Nordic countries are also firm supporters of the UN Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. We also firmly support the Arms Trade Treaty and the treaty's Diversion Information Exchange Forum, in which State Parties share information on combating and preventing the diversion of weapons.

As noted in the Secretary-General’s report there is a strong connection between gender and small arms. Within the available data, up to 90 per cent of incidents of conflict-related sexual violence involve small arms and light weapons. This is but one example of the importance of advancing the integration of gender perspectives and the WPS-agenda in our work.

The Nordic countries are longtime supporters of work on small arms and light weapons control in several countries and regions [including through several UNODA programs such as UNSCAR, research institutions, the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund, the Saving Lives Entity, civil society actors and bilateral cooperation projects].

We will continue this support.

I thank you.