President,
I have the honour to speak today on behalf of the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway.
I thank the presidency for convening this important meeting on the protection of civilians, and also thank the briefers for offering their insights.
We are witnessing a deeply troubling reality in armed conflicts around the world. Civilians are being harmed on a massive scale. Most alarming is the situation for children. They are being killed and maimed, deprived of healthcare and education, and stripped of the safety and dignity that should define childhood. Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable in conflicts.
This is not only a humanitarian crisis—it is a threat to international peace and security. Without the protection of civilians, there can be no sustainable peace. When the rules are respected, when civilians are protected and human dignity preserved - there are pathways to peace and reconciliation, even during the brutality of war.
President,
Protection begins with political solutions, grounded in binding obligations under international law. The Security Council has a particular responsibility to address the root causes of conflict and to promote its peaceful resolution. We must invest in diplomacy, strengthen inclusive political processes, and address the drivers of conflict—including inequality, weak institutions, and lack of accountability. Prevention and conflict resolution remain the most effective forms of protection. Lack of respect for international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law, leads to great harm to civilians, grievances and divisions that cause and exacerbate armed conflicts.
Respect for international humanitarian law must be strengthened. Violations occur far too often without consequence. Accountability is essential. We must support documentation, investigations, and efforts to end impunity. All parties to conflict have a responsibility to take feasible precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, incidental harm to civilians, in line with international humanitarian law.
Respect for international humanitarian law must be universal—it cannot be selective.
All civilians—regardless of where they are, or who they are—have the same right to protection. If we are serious about protecting civilians, we must apply the rules consistently, in all conflicts and by all parties.
President,
We already have important tools at our disposal. Security Council resolutions 2286, 2573 and 2601 must be implemented more systematically. Attacks on medical personnel and civilian infrastructure are not only unlawful—they destroy the very foundation of societies in conflict. Military use of and attacks on educational institutions, and effectively denying children their right to education, causes immediate and long term cumulative harm to students, teachers and their communities. The Council must speak with clarity and act with consistency to ensure these protections are upheld.
Political initiatives also matter. The Safe Schools Declaration and the EWIPA political declaration have helped build norms, create commitments, and change practices. These efforts demonstrate that progress is possible when political will is mobilized.
President,
Technology is increasingly shaping modern warfare. It can help protect civilians through better monitoring, early warning, and documentation—but it also introduces new risks. We must promote responsible use of technology, mitigate its harms, and strengthen the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Equally important is support to national authorities in fulfilling their primary responsibility to protect civilians. This includes capacity-building, strengthening institutions and the rule of law, and long-term development efforts that address the drivers of conflict and help sustain peace.
President,
The challenges are significant: growing fragmentation of conflicts, erosion of norms, and insufficient political will. But we also know what works.
Good practices include early warning, civilian protection integrated into military planning, strong humanitarian access, and locally grounded approaches that prioritize dignity and protection.
Protection of civilians is not a secondary concern—it is central to the Council’s mandate.
The Security Council must live up to its responsibility: to seek political solutions, ensure respect for international law, and place the safety and wellbeing of civilians at the core of our efforts.