National Statement of Finland at the UN Security Council Arria‑Formula Meeting “A Decade of Resolution 2286: Protecting Medical Care in Conflict Amid Evolving Threats”

Read the National Statement of Finland at the UN Security Council Arria‑Formula Meeting “A Decade of Resolution 2286: Protecting Medical Care in Conflict Amid Evolving Threats”, delivered by H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations, on 5 May 2026.

Ten years have indeed passed since the adoption of Security Council resolution 2286, which affirmed the protection of healthcare, condemned attacks on it and called for an end to impunity.

Last year marked yet again a significant increase in fatalities among medical personnel and patients in conflict zones.

This must stop.

Medical services must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Amid complex conflicts with high civilian casualties, we are witnessing far too permissive interpretations of international humanitarian law.

Finland is committed to upholding international humanitarian law and its faithful interpretation. We joined the global IHL initiative last year and consider it an important forum to discuss and promote respect for IHL.

International humanitarian law also relates to cyber space, as essential services increasingly depend on ICT solutions.

Cyber operations targeting critical civilian infrastructure can hamper the delivery of essential services. Finland emphasizes that the special protections under IHL, including those safeguarding medical services and humanitarian activities, must be respected, also in cyberspace.

In conclusion, Finland maintains that the best way to protect medical care is strict compliance with the letter and the guiding principles of international humanitarian law.

Compliance with IHL not only limits the suffering during armed conflicts but also lays the foundations for peace.

I thank you.