Nordic Statement at the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN)

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Excellencies, Co-Chairs,

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

Let me begin by expressing our gratitude to you, Ambassador Albanai and Ambassador Gregoire-van Haaren, for your continued efforts as Co-Chairs of the IGN-process.

Co-chairs,

In the Pact for the Future, our leaders decided to encourage the submission of further models, with a view to developing a consolidated model in the future. We believe it is now time to deliver on this commitment and support your steadfast leadership towards presenting a consolidated model.

We welcome the submission of the African Union Member States Model, and we want to thank the “African Union Committee (of Ten Heads of State and Government on United Nations Security Council Reform)” for their work. 

Co-Chairs,

Equitable representation is an essential part of reform, and we have all agreed to view Africa as a special case. The Nordics support a geographically balanced expansion of the Council, and as part of redressing the historical injustice done to the African continent, we support seats for Africa in both categories of Security Council membership.

The Nordic Countries have read the African Model with great interest and will study it further. We welcome its clear objectives and added detail. With your permission, Co-chairs, we have selected a few questions.

On “categories of membership” and “regional representation”:

-       On the (no less than) two new permanent seats for Africa, to be selected by the African Union, what type of appointments do you foresee: two specific countries (on fixed seats) or rotating regional representation for these two seats?

-       How would the five African non-permanent seats relate to cross-regional representation - both within the regions of Africa and more broadly including for example SIDS or Arab States in Africa?

Co-chairs,

On the “size of an enlarged Security Council”, the Nordic Countries believe that it is important that an expansion does not negatively impact the full participation of all Council members. We note with interest the proposals under section “C” aiming at – among other things - strengthening the Council’s collaboration with Troop Contributing Countries and increasing transparency and access to documentation. However, we believe that a decision to expand the Council to a total of (not less than) 26 members also needs concrete changes to the Council’s day-to-day working methods to ensure the full participation of all members, including changes in the Note 507. Do you foresee to propose any such additional changes?

We also welcome the reference to the work of the subsidiary organs. Any thoughts or views on how the Council – particularly an enlarged Council - could avoid the type of impasse that we currently see regarding allocations of chairmanships?

The proposed Model seems to suggest that the Council cannot engage on any issue that does not constitute a threat to international peace and security. How does this correspond to the thematic work of the Council and to the Council’s authority under Chapter VI?

Co-Chairs,

The Nordic countries welcome the importance that the African Model attaches to the role and authority of the General Assembly in the context of Security Council reform, and we note with interest the priorities listed under section “E”. The Nordic countries, too, support greater transparency and interaction between the Security Council and the General Assembly, as well as the General Assembly fulfilling its own role on matters of international peace and security, particularly when the Council is unable to act.

Lastly, the Nordic Countries believe that any reform should include a review clause, not as a means to make temporary arrangements, but as to set a moment – with a fixed timeline - to assess our reforms and make further adjustments as necessary. We would like to ask if a review clause has been considered?

Co-chairs, Colleagues,

The time for reform is now. More than ever, the world needs a Security Council that is better equipped, more representative, more effective. But it is only by bridging our differences with determination and a spirit of compromise that we will be able to deliver meaningful reform. The Nordic countries look forward to continuing this important work together with you.

I thank you.