President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Estonia.
We would like to thank the Secretary-General for his report on the Sustained implementation of the responsibility to protect at the national, regional and multilateral levels. Since the adoption of the Responsibility to Protect in 2005, the Nordic-Baltic countries have been strong supporters of the United Nations’ efforts in this field. Today, twenty years later, as the fundamental principles and values of the United Nations are constantly challenged, it is crucial to reaffirm our commitment to this essential principle. War crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and ethnic cleansing continue to affect populations across many parts of the world.
According to the report, in 2025, there were over 120 armed conflicts recorded around the globe. This serves as a stark reminder that the protection of civilians from atrocity crimes remains an urgent responsibility of all States and of the international community as a whole. Every day, we witness the suffering of innocent civilians, particularly women and children, whether in the Middle East, Ukraine, or elsewhere. As Members of the United Nations, we share a responsibility to prevent and respond to atrocity crimes. The R2P requires our continued attention and unwavering resolve.
Modern conflicts are increasingly shaped by new technologies, including drones, artificial intelligence, and digital warfare. The use of disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence fuels tensions, and places civilian populations at even greater risk. Disinformation and technological change do not diminish legal obligations; international law must be respected at all times and by all parties.
The R2P is not only a commitment to respond to crises; it is, first and foremost, a commitment to prevent them, primarily at the national level. It reaffirms the responsibility of each State to protect every population, every individual, under its jurisdiction from wide-scale violence and persecution. Preventing violent conflict, building strong domestic frameworks and early warning mechanisms are important steps in protecting populations from atrocity crimes. When prevention fails, however, the international community must take collective action, in accordance with the UN Charter.
United Nations commissions of inquiry and other independent investigative mechanisms play an indispensable role in documenting violations, preserving evidence, supporting accountability efforts and providing victims and survivors with a pathway to justice. The ongoing process aimed at a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity further reflects our shared commitment on matters of universal concern.
Accountability is essential for the victims but also for prevention. Those responsible for the most serious international crimes must be held accountable. In this regard, we reiterate that national jurisdictions should be primarily responsible for the investigation and prosecution of those responsible, including on the basis of universal jurisdiction, while international courts and tribunals, including the ICJ, ICC and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, also play an important role. We further welcome the establishing of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and underscore that the Russian leadership responsible for the suffering of the Ukrainian population must be brought to justice.
The Nordic-Baltic countries remain committed to strengthening international cooperation, advancing accountability and upholding international law in order to protect populations from the gravest international crimes. Only sustained efforts both at the national, regional and multilateral level, as also outlined in the Secretary-General’s report, can lead to the successful implementation of the responsibility to protect.
I thank you.