Mr Chair,
It is an honour to address this Committee on behalf of the Nordic countries; Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and my own country Iceland. I read a shortened version of the statement. The full version will be posted on the Committee’s website.
Let me start by underlining the pivotal importance of protecting multilateralism and promoting respect for international law. In these times of multiple military conflicts and serious challenges to global peace and security, it is more important than ever to uphold the architecture for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Nordic countries once again condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine that violates the most fundamental principles of international law. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Russia must immediately cease its war of aggression and withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine.
Russia’s war has had profound consequences for the security situation in Europe and beyond. In response, also the Nordic countries have had to increase our defensive capabilities. These are resources we could have used for other purposes.
It is equally clear that the war in Gaza must end now. Our countries have consistently condemned the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas two years ago, demanded the release of all hostages and affirmed that Israel has a right to defend itself. But what we have witnessed in Gaza has gone far beyond this right. We call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unhindered humanitarian access. We support all efforts aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. All parties must seize the opportunity presented by the US peace plan and do what they can to resolve the conflict. It is crucial not to lose sight of the ultimate goal: A lasting two-state solution.
These brutal wars and other active conflicts around the world not only threaten regional security but undermine global stability. We are at risk of reversing the progress achieved through decades of multilateral cooperation, including on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
We must intensify our efforts to sustain the frameworks we built over the past 80 years – the rules-based international order that has served to advance development and human prosperity through the principles of sovereign equality of states, prohibition of the use of force and peaceful settlement of disputes.
Mr Chair,
The Nordic countries reaffirm their strong commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons which remains the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation regime. The NPT is the only credible path towards nuclear disarmament and provides the foundations for international cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. We emphasise the importance of full implementation of the Treaty’s three interrelated pillars. As we approach the 2026 NPT Review Conference, we call on all States Parties to work together in good faith to strengthen the Treaty and advance its goals.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has a key role in ensuring adherence to the NPT’s obligations, and the Agency’s safeguards system remains essential. The Nordic countries greatly value the professionalism, impartiality, and scientific expertise of the IAEA and we reiterate our full support for its work to promote nuclear safety and security, as well as peaceful uses of nuclear technologies.
Russia’s war of aggression continues to endanger nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. We condemn Russia’s illegal and reckless actions and commend the efforts of the IAEA to ensure nuclear safety and security at Zaporizhzhia and other Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
Developments in recent months relating to Iran’s nuclear programme are of serious concern. Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon and must comply with its legally binding obligations under the NPT. We urge Iran to work with the IAEA towards full compliance with its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and immediately enable the resumption of the Agency’s verification activities. A lasting solution to the Iranian nuclear issue must be sought by diplomatic means.
The nuclear and missile programmes of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which violate multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, remain a threat to regional and international peace and security. The DPRK can never have the status of a nuclear-weapon state and must abandon its illegal nuclear and missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is an integral part of the nuclear arms control architecture. We reiterate our call on all states that have not yet signed and/or ratified the Treaty to do so without further delay, and we demand all states to abide by a moratorium on nuclear test explosions.
The Nordic countries are deeply concerned by China’s rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal. We urge China to engage in meaningful dialogue on arms control, confidence building and transparency measures regarding its nuclear capabilities.
The New START Treaty serves an important stabilizing role, contributes to confidence building, and risk reduction. We regret Russia’s so-called suspension of the treaty and call for the urgent commencement of negotiations for a successor agreement. We strongly encourage China to join such negotiations.
Termination of fissile material production and eradication of existing stocks are essential steps in nuclear disarmament. We reaffirm our support for the commencement of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty.
We encourage all states to support the establishment of a Group of Scientific and Technical Experts on Nuclear Disarmament Verification.
Mr Chair,
The Nordic countries will continue to promote the full and effective implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention and defend the norm against the use of biological and chemical weapons.
We condemn Russia’s use of Riot Control Agents as a method of warfare in Ukraine, explicitly prohibited under the CWC, and remain deeply concerned by the use of choking agent chloropicrin against Ukrainian soldiers. We demand that Russia comply with its obligations.
Any use of chemical weapons is contrary to international law and accountability for violations must be ensured. We underline our full support for the work of the OPCW and our confidence in the Technical Secretariat.
This year marked the 100th anniversary of the Geneva Protocol and the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention. We are encouraged by the deliberations of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the BWC and encourage all parties to remain engaged in these efforts.
We underline that multilateral export control regimes are important elements of the non-proliferation architecture and serve to facilitate international cooperation on peaceful uses of technology.
Mr Chair,
The Nordic countries are consistent supporters of instruments addressing the illicit flows of small arms and light weapons. We call for the universalisation of the Arms Trade Treaty and warmly welcome the recent decision to elaborate a five-year strategy for the ATT.
The Nordic countries remain firmly committed to the humanitarian objectives of the Anti-Personnel Landmine Convention. Despite Finland’s announcement regarding its withdrawal, all Nordic countries continue to recognise and support the Convention’s vital role in advancing global efforts to reduce the use of anti-personnel landmines and mitigate their humanitarian impact. We continue to contribute substantially to global humanitarian mine action efforts.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas poses great risks to civilians and civilian infrastructure. We encourage states to endorse the EWIPA political declaration, which aims to strengthen the protection of civilians.
We also highlight the continued relevance of Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions that address the impact of armed conflict on women and the importance of their full and equal participation in peace and security processes.
Mr Chair,
The international community must keep pace with the rapid development of emerging and disruptive technologies and shape standards and principles to ensure their responsible use, in accordance with international law.
The Nordic countries support the work of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems under the CCW. We find the chair’s rolling text to be a sufficient basis to move towards negotiations of an instrument on LAWS at the CCW once the GGE mandate expires next year. We also welcome the diverse multi-stakeholder discussions and initiatives on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the military domain and emphasise the need to keep these efforts complementary and inclusive.
The Nordic countries are firmly committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects. We support the continued work of the Open-Ended Working Group on PAROS and look forward to continued discussions in the UN on the development of norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour in outer space.
We urge all states to abide by the Outer Space Treaty.
Mr Chair,
In closing, we look forward to further deliberations on the UN80 Initiative, including in the context of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.
The Nordic countries will continue to make every effort to advance the important work of this Committee.
Thank you.