Nordic Statement at the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security

Read the Nordic Statement delivered by Mr. Pasi Rajala, Political Secretary of State, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, at the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security on October 28, 2026.

President,

I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries — Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Finland.

I thank the briefers, and the Secretary-General for his report.

Last year we celebrated the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. According to the SG Report, ever more women and girls are affected by conflicts. We are disappointed to hear that, except from UN led operations, fewer women are part of peace processes as negotiators. This is clearly at odds with the commitments enshrined in Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent Women, Peace and Security resolutions. Contemporary, more transactional ways of resolving conflicts restrict women’s participation, and are seldom a good base for inclusive peace agreements.

On the more positive side, we do note the increase of the number of new national action plans for Women, Peace and Security. In many corners of the world, the support for Women, Peace and Security is stronger than ever. The Nordic countries reaffirm their commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and underline that its true implementation is today more urgent than ever.

We must never stop insisting that Women, Peace and Security must be addressed in all settings. We know that wars affect women and men differently.

President,

Integrating gender perspectives and ensuring women’s leadership across all phases of peace operations is not only a question of equality, but of effectiveness and accountability.  Women must form part of peace negotiations and national dialogues, ceasefire agreements, security sector reform, disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, as well as transitional justice and accountability processes. We must use our power and tools and put in practice our plans for Women Peace and Security.

The UN and the essential work of UN Women, as well as UNFPA and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights play a key role. Regional organizations and women’s organizations are key actors at the regional level. 

We believe that expanding digital connectivity and harnessing emerging technologies, offer significant opportunities to enhance women´s participation as peacemakers. Secure and trusted digital tools can help overcome geographical, social and security barriers that often limit women´s engagement. At the same time we must protect women peacemakers from online harassment and other digital threats.

The Nordic Countries are deeply concerned that sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, continues to be used systematically against women and girls as a tactic of war, in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. Impunity must end. Perpetrators must be held accountable, and survivors must have access to justice and comprehensive support. We commend and support the valuable work of Special Representative Patten and her office. Protecting women and girls and their sexual and reproductive health and rights is our responsibility in societies suffering of conflicts.

President,

The Women, Peace and Security agenda is not only about participation, protection and rights but also about development.  The empowerment of women drives democratic progress, fuels economic growth, sparks innovation, and strengthens resilient societies. Women and girls, in all their diversity, make up half of the world’s population, and therefore at least half of its potential. When women and girls have equal access to education, decent work, finance, and resources, and when they participate in political decision-making, entire communities and nations rise.

We stress the importance of ensuring that WPS is safeguarded as a core element of a UN fit for purpose, and reaffirm our commitment to pursuing this agenda as UN Member States everywhere.

Thank you.