Mr. President,
We applaud the aspirations of the “Silencing the guns” initiative and Agenda 2063 for a peaceful and secure Africa. We commend the African Union and its Member States for their ambition and active engagement. It will enhance our common future and collective security.
Even though the conflicts on the African continent have primarily been intra-state, many have affected regional peace and security.
It is crucial that regional and sub-regional organisations and mechanisms, such as IGAD as ECOWAS, continue to improve the delivery of their mandates and that their capacity is further increased. This should happen in coordination with the African Union.
Therefore, Mr. President,
Ending armed conflict in Africa requires African solutions. We stand ready to support African leadership in this endeavour. We want a more transparent and representative Security Council that better reflects today’s global realities. We support an increase in the number of both permanent and non-permanent seats for Africa in this Council.
We welcome and support the strengthened partnership between the AU and the UN, not least between the Peace and Security Council and the Security Council. This includes securing predictable and sustainable funding of AU operations. The Nordic countries are in favour of a system that combines assessed contributions from the UN with funding from the AU. We also call for focused and accountable efforts to ensure protection of human rights and respect for international humanitarian law in all operations.
Mr. President,
Achieving peace and stability in Africa requires conflict prevention as well as mediation. We actively support the implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture, including improved capacity within the AU for preventive diplomacy, mediation and peace building.
The Nordic countries are long-term partners for development, addressing root causes and multipliers of conflict, building stronger institutions through promotion of the African Governance Architecture, mitigating climate change and reducing inequality.
Protection of civilians is a fundamental concern in all our humanitarian efforts. It is also is a key priority of Norway’s presidency of the Mine Ban Treaty this year.
Mr. President
There can be no sustainable peace without women’s full and equal participation. Women’s involvement in efforts across the peace continuum is key to enhancing trust, legitimacy and credibility. Women’s participation in preventing and mediating conflicts makes it possible to reach solutions that are more effective and sustainable.
This is why the Nordic countries are staunch supporters of Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions on Women, Peace and Security. We will continue to work with key partners such as the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security and the AU women mediators’ network, FemWise-Africa, to achieve full inclusion.
We will continue to be consistent partners, committed to contributing to our collective security and our common future.
Thank you.