President,
I have the honor to speak today on behalf of the Nordic countries Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland.
We thank Sierra Leone for convening this meeting, as well as the co-sponsoring States of Algeria, Guyana, and Somalia.
Today’s topic touches upon two highly topical issues for international peace and security – the role of small arms and light weapons in conflicts, and effective implementation of UN sanctions.
President,
Despite being labelled as ‘small’ and ‘light’, small arms and light weapons kill in high numbers. The illicit flows of these weapons remain a central threat to national and regional stability and sustainable development in many countries. These weapons are often used by armed groups and terrorists, to initiate and sustain conflicts. Small arms and light weapons are also used to facilitate sexual and gender-based violence in conflicts.
The Nordic countries have been consistent supporters of instruments and measures addressing small arms, including the UN Programme of Action. More than 23 years after its adoption, the UN Programme of Action continues to be a crucial instrument. It is important that we reaffirm our existing commitments, and also take into account new developments to ensure the effective implementation of the Programme of Action and the International Tracing Instrument.
This can be done by reinforcing the synergies and coordination between existing international instruments, reducing the threats posed by uncontrolled small arms and light weapons, such as the Arms Trade Treaty, the Protocol Against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms and, as the newest addition, also the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management. Combatting the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons cannot succeed without taking into account ammunition.
The Nordic countries are firmly committed to UN action to counter uncontrolled flows of small arms and light weapons, and are States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty.
President,
The Security Council has on multiple occasions recognized that small arms and light weapons fuel and sustain conflicts. As many as 14 UN sanction regimes contain arms embargoes on conflict-affected states and non-state armed groups.
In order to fulfil the goals for which international sanctions regimes are set up, it is essential to ensure their effective implementation.
As the convenors of today’s meeting have identified, international sanctions are routinely circumvented by a plethora of international criminal networks.
To counter this challenge, the effective implementation of sanctions requires a network of its own. In our experience, this work only begins with National Sanctions Authorities and must extend to a whole range of domestic actors from law enforcement and intelligence services to prosecution and customs authorities. Effective information sharing between different authorities is key. Only together can national authorities be more than the sum of their parts.
Few countries can do this effectively on their own. International and regional cooperation in sharing information and best practices is a must.
The Nordic countries stand ready to continue the conversation on effective implementation of UN sanctions, and to share our experiences and challenges.
I thank you.