I have the honor to address the Council on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland. I thank Denmark and Pakistan for this timely debate and Security Council Report for the briefing.
President,
The way in which the Security Council operates and takes decisions is a legitimate concern to the entire UN membership, as the Council in line with article 24 of the Charter acts on their behalf. We all have a vested interest in ensuring the Council can properly and more efficiently respond to today’s many challenges.
The selection and appointment of the next Secretary-General is one of the most significant decisions at hand. The interactive dialogues with the candidates in the General Assembly, including engagement with civil society, have been instrumental in advancing the key principles of transparency and inclusivity, and should remain an integral part of the process. We encourage the Council to uphold the same high standards in its own deliberations. This includes ensuring an equal and fair procedure for all candidates.
The selection and appointment process is a joint endeavor of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the results of the Council’s straw polls should be communicated to the GA member states in an appropriate manner, rather than through inevitable leaks.
We further underscore the importance of geographical balance and gender equality, and are encouraged by the number of highly qualified women candidates.
President,
The Nordic countries remain deeply concerned by the continued inability of the Council to reach agreement on the allocation of the chairs and the vice-chairs of the subsidiary bodies. The uncertainty may have consequences extending beyond the current Council term.
This is not merely a procedural matter. We share the concern expressed by the elected members in their letter in July that this prolonged impasse undermines the credibility, effectiveness and institutional integrity of the Council and hampers its ability to discharge its Charter responsibilities.
We call on those Council members who are currently preventing consensus to demonstrate flexibility to finally resolve this issue. Looking ahead, we believe that efforts should be made to review and improve the process, including in the context of IWG.
President,
The Nordic countries continue to support a more equitable distribution of work within the Security Council. While progress has been made through co-penholdership and more equal participation by elected members, penholdership still remains largely the responsibility of a limited number of Council members. Broader participation would better reflect the diverse perspectives in the Council and make fuller use of the regional expertise and insights of all elected members.
President,
Working methods must continue to evolve. We therefore encourage the Council to regularly review and update Note 507, to ensure that it remains relevant.
Continued and determined efforts are needed to strengthen the Council’s transparency, accountability and effectiveness. One such mechanism is the veto initiative, where the General Assembly is convened after a veto is cast. It is imperative to make the Council more accountable to the wider UN membership, whose trust and confidence are essential to the Council’s legitimacy.
I thank you.