Excellences, Colleagues,
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Denmark.
Natural resources management can be a powerful driver of fragility and conflict on the one hand. And, a critical tool for conflict prevention and peacebuilding, on the other. Renewable resources and extractive industries – including the minerals needed for the green transition – often finance and enable conflict parties to continue fighting. In addition, natural resources – across the board - are targeted or can become collateral damage in conflicts.
With climate change adding pressure on available resources, and with a growing world population, this issue will only become more prevalent in the future. We therefore welcome this opportunity for Member States to discuss how natural resource management relates to conflict and peace. I would like to make three points:
First, we must find ways to protect, share, and sustainably manage resources in new and better ways to prevent fuelling tensions and increasing the risk of conflict. Instead of managing more and more conflicts caused by scarcity, we also need to think beyond sharing ever-dwindling resources and look towards ways to expand the pool of resources. To truly prevent resource conflicts in the long run, we must begin to better protect the environment and even restore damaged areas. We need to change from a zero-sum logic around natural resources to cooperation over how to increase their availability. The wider UN system can play a significant role in this regard.
Second, the Security Council must continue to strengthen its focus on climate change and the management of natural resources to remain relevant and to effectively carry out its responsibilities. The Council ought to take an inclusive approach and listen when affected countries and communities tell us how the effects of climate change fuel conflicts. And those of us committed to prioritizing conflict prevention, in line with the New Agenda for Peace, should continue to educate ourselves on the links between climate change, natural resources, and peace and security.
Third, women are often at the forefront of bridging divides in their communities and have know-how of needs and priorities. It is therefore also critical that women participate in a meaningful way at all levels and in decisions on conflict prevention, management and resolution in relation to natural resource management and environmental peacebuilding.
Excellences,
If we want the UN system to play a more effective role and truly leverage the information at our disposal, we must build a stronger UN architecture for addressing the links between climate, peace, and security, including those we are discussing here today, and be better coordinated.
As an example, the Nordic countries support the call to establish a position as Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Climate, Peace, and Security to improve coordination across the UN system. The mandate should include addressing the role of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss in conflicts.
Thank you.