President, Excellencies,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country Finland.
Small arms and light weapons (SALW) may be labelled “small,” but their impact is anything but. Armed violence, often fuelled by the illicit proliferation of SALW, brings a significant toll of death annually, and causes immeasurable human suffering. Illicit trade in SALW and their diversion and other misuse destabilize societies, fuel organised crime and corruption, undermine governance, and obstruct sustainable development. The socio-economic costs of armed violence are staggering.
The Nordic countries strongly support the UN Programme of Action on SALW, the declaration of the 2024 review conference, the International Tracing Instrument, and the Arms Trade Treaty. These instruments remain central to our collective efforts. In this regard, the rapid development of new technologies poses both challenges and opportunities. The better inclusion of these technologies in the instruments will keep them relevant and effective. Innovations in marking, tracing, and digital record-keeping offer promising tools to enhance SALW control and transparency.
President,
We must also address the gendered impacts of armed violence. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the misuse of small arms, including through gender-based violence. Gender-responsive arms regulation is essential to eliminating such violence. The equal, full, and effective participation of women in disarmament and peacebuilding processes is not only a matter of rights—it is a prerequisite for sustainable peace. The Nordic countries have integrated gender perspectives into our national policies. We urge all Member States to do the same.
President,
The Security Council has repeatedly recognized the role of SALW in fuelling and sustaining conflict. International cooperation is indispensable in addressing the illegal flow of arms into conflict areas. The Nordic countries stand ready to share experiences and best practices to strengthen SALW control.
Let us act decisively to reduce the human cost of armed violence. Let us strengthen our collective efforts to prevent and eradicate the illicit trade of SALW and to manage weapons and ammunition responsibly. And let us ensure that SALW control remains firmly embedded in our pursuit of peace, security, and sustainable development.
Thank you.