Joint Nordic Statement: UN Security Council Ministerial Open Debate on Diversity, State Building and the Search for Peace

Read the Joint Nordic Statement at the The United Nations Security Council Ministerial Open Debate on Diversity, State Building and the Search for Peace delivered by Ambassador Martin Bille Hermann, Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN, on 12th of October 2021.

Mr. President,

Members of the Security Council,

I have the pleasure to submit this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Denmark.

We welcome this timely debate on diversity and peacebuilding, and thank H.E. President Kenyatta for convening us here today.

The world is at a juncture. We are still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deepened inequalities and been used to spread misinformation. The climate crisis is more acute than ever and especially affects the most vulnerable groups and those who are already marginalized. Further, we are witnessing an immense pressure around the world on human rights. All of these factors together can drive division, fuel fragility and risk inciting conflict and violence.

History has taught us how identity-based differences can be exploited in the most horrid ways through large-scale atrocities, such as genocide and ethnic cleansing. Each time, the world has promised itself: “never again”. In fact, this is the promise the United Nations was built on.

To honour that promise, we must insist on conflict resolution and peacebuilding practices that put the inclusion of marginalised groups at the centre - groups that are facing additional barriers simply based on e.g. their ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation etc.

Upholding freedom of religion or belief, including the fight to change religion, or not to believe at all, is a fundamental requisite for peaceful coexistence. When religious freedom is threatened, social cohesion suffers, and conflict grows.

The importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in political decision-making and peace processes cannot be overstated. Not only is it a goal in itself – it is also essential in the pursuit of lasting peace. Continued support to the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda is therefore crucial – from providing support for women leaders and activists to holding perpetrators accountable for sexual and gender-based violence.

 

At the same time, we must not forget the criticality of including youth. Engaging youth in conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding can contribute to building inclusive and lasting peace.

Civil society is an important vehicle for forging social cohesion and bringing grievances to light through peaceful means. It is therefore important that we empower civil society – especially at the local level – to call for and contribute to the creation of inclusive, peaceful societies.

All our efforts must be underpinned by a strong commitment to human rights. At the end of the day, respect for and promotion of human rights, including protection of those who defend it, is one of our best prevention tools. It offers a safeguard against the types of discriminatory and exclusionary practices that foster divisive identities, supress minorities and risk leading to violent conflict and atrocities. Likewise, our conflict-resolution practices and political solutions must build on international law, human rights and accountability. It is not an easy task, but nonetheless necessary to achieve lasting and sustainable peace.

Mr. President,

It is clear that we must make sure the UN has the tools and mechanisms in place to help prevent and address violent conflict driven by fractures in the social fabric of societies. This entails a UN that is empowered and able to speak out on serious human rights violations, including those driven by discrimination and exclusion of certain groups. As an international community, we also need to act decisively when faced with early warning about emerging identity-driven violence and possible atrocities. In these cases, it is paramount that the Security Council comes together in countering such violence and preventing further escalation.

We encourage the Security Council to increase its engagement with the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). The PBC has a unique advisory, bridging and convening role and a comprehensive approach to peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Its engagement is guided by inclusivity in all its discussions and we believe that the Security Council’s work would benefit from drawing even more on the advice of the PBC going forward.

Finally, we all have a responsibility to ensure that diversity does not turn into division, large-scale violence and conflict. We all have a responsibility to honour the promise of “never again”.

Thank you.