Nordic Statement at the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN)

Excellencies, Co-Chairs,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and my own country, Sweden.

Please allow me to begin by wishing you a happy and prosperous 2025. Let me also take this opportunity to again express our sincere gratitude to Ambassador Albanai and Ambassador Marschik for your continued efforts as Co-Chairs of the IGN-process. Under your steadfast leadership we have collectively taken important steps forward towards Security Council reform. The agreed language in the Pact of the Future is strong and ambitious. Now is the time to consolidate and build on these achievements.

Co-chairs,

As you point out in your letter dated 19 December, our leaders have committed to “strengthen our efforts for reform… as a matter of priority and without delay”. In this spirit, we welcome your plans and the “IGN Roadmap” for 2025. Let me assure you that the Nordics stand ready to contribute in order to make further progress during this year’s session. 

Co-Chairs,

The UN Charter tasks the Security Council with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Thus, the Security Council has been entrusted by, and on behalf of, the wider Membership to “ensure prompt and effective action” by the United Nations. The challenges of today’s world are many and complex and the need for prompt action remains as urgent as ever. For people affected by war and conflict, the Security Council’s ability to act can mean the difference between life and death. We need a Security Council that is better equipped to respond. We need a Security Council that reflects today’s world and thus is better equipped to serve.

The question of the veto remains a key element of Security Council reform. The veto was established in a particular historical context, and while it is something we have all agreed to by signing the UN Charter, it must not stand in the way of the Council’s effectiveness. Its misuse is not only preventing the Council from effectively fulfilling its vital mandate of maintaining international peace and security, but also undermining the legitimacy of and respect for the Council.

Co-chairs,

Last year there were seven draft resolutions that failed to be adopted as a result of a veto being cast. This is the highest number since 1986. During the same period of time, year 2024, global security continued to deteriorate. We saw alarming numbers of armed conflicts, steeply increasing number of civilians affected by conflict, not to mention other challenges to international peace and stability. As we all know, there are issues on the Council’s agenda that were – and are - in dire need of prompt decisive action. Discontent with the Council’s inaction is becoming more and more audible around the world, and the increase in the use of the veto only adds to the criticism.

In this context, and in line with the Pact for the Future, the Nordics are supportive of further considerations on how to limit the scope and use of the veto, including how to ensure the consistent application of Article 27 (3) of the UN Charter.

The use of the veto must also come with transparency and accountability. The Nordics commend the veto-initiative, as adopted by the General Assembly, as a step in the right direction. Let us continue to work together in this spirit, to keep a stern spotlight on the veto, whenever cast. A veto must always be used in strict adherence with the letter and the spirit of the Charter.

Co-Chairs,

We must continue to consider the negative impact of the veto on the work of the Security Council today, and, here in the IGN, also on a future enlarged Council. The Nordics are supportive of efforts and ideas aiming at restricting the scope of the veto. Whether looking at the type of decisions, ways of adding layers to the voting process or considering the role of the General Assembly in matters of peace and security, we feel that it is important - at this point in time – to remain open to all good ideas. We must leave no stone unturned in our efforts to break the current impasse.    

The Nordics are committed signatories of the ACT Code of Conduct, reflecting our commitment that the veto must never be allowed to stand in the way of Council action to prevent or end genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes, and that preventative actions must be taken in this regard. We warmly welcome that this was also agreed by our leaders in the Pact for the Future. The Nordic countries also support the French-Mexican Political Declaration on suspension of the veto in cases of mass atrocities.

Co-chairs,

The Nordic countries reiterate our support for your persistent work and for the efforts towards Security Council reform. We are looking forward to building on the commitments and momentum achieved with the Pact.

Thank you.