Joint Nordic Statement at the UN Security Council on Women, Peace and Security

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Madam President,

I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and my own country, Sweden.

I thank the briefers, and the Secretary-General for his report.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. We recall Namibia’s pivotal role in securing this landmark resolution, which affirms that women’s leadership and participation are prerequisites for lasting peace.

We reaffirm that the promotion of gender equality and the upholding of international law — including human rights law — are essential for international peace, security, and development. At a time when the number of armed conflicts has reached a historic high, the full implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda is more urgent than ever.

In Ukraine, Gaza, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, and in many other contexts of war and conflict, we stress the responsibility to protect. 

We are deeply concerned that sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, continues to be used systematically against women and girls as a tactic of war, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. Impunity must end. Perpetrators must be held accountable, and survivors must have access to justice and comprehensive support. 

In this context, let me pay tribute to the essential work of UN Women, as well as UNFPA and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, for their tireless efforts to advance the rights of women and girls, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, which are elemental also in conflict contexts.

This is our responsibility not only to survivors, but also to societies where the scars of such violence remain long after conflict has ceased.

In this regard, we underline the vital role of UN gender advisers and women’s protection advisers in the field.

The Women, Peace and Security agenda is not only about protection. It is equally, and fundamentally, about participation. 

Evidence is clear: the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women leads to more sustainable peace. Women must form part of peace negotiations and national dialogues, ceasefire agreements, security sector reform, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, as well as transitional justice and accountability processes.

Beyond peace and security, the empowerment of women drives democratic progress, fuels economic growth, sparks innovation, and strengthens resilient societies. Women and girls make up half of the world’s population, and therefore at least half of its potential. When women and girls have equal access to education, decent work, finance, and resources, and when they participate in political decision-making, entire communities and nations rise.

The Women, Peace and Security agenda remains central to advancing peace, sustainable development, and human rights. We stress the importance of ensuring that WPS is safeguarded as a core element of a UN fit for purpose, and we expect that future reform proposals will strengthen both the mandate and the UN’s capacity to deliver at country level.

Thank you.