Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management

Finland supports the concept of comprehensive security adopted by the UN, in which conflict prevention is closely linked with peacebuilding and development. Moreover, the structures concentrating on the UN’s conflict prevention activities are developed and the relevant normative basis is reinforced. Finland considers the cooperation carried out by the UN and regional organisations, in particular the EU, as crucial to conflict prevention

Support for the Work of the Security Council and UN Mediation Efforts

Finland strives to promote the capacity of the Security Council to deal effectively with all issues pertaining to international peace and security, and to help find  solutions to these issues. Finland stresses the importance of having a Council that functions effectively and treats the parties to a conflict equitably. The Security  Council must rely, where necessary, on regional organisations and actors.

The Security Council is an instrument of primary importance for Finland even when we are not a member. Finland must be dynamic and proactive as concerns issues handled by the Council or those that the EU – and Finland, as a part of it – would like the Council to consider. In cooperation with the Presidency,  Finland fosters consistent policy among the EU Member States in the Security  Council.

As a concrete measure to support the work of the Security Council, Finland will continue the initiation of non-permanent members of the Council within the framework of the annual Tarrytown seminar, a contribution of the Permanent  Mission of Finland.

Finland supports the trend whereby threats to security are approached from a thematic perspective in the Security Council  – taking into account, however, the duties defined by theCharter for the General Assembly and the Economic and  Social Council. Finland regards that it is of particular importance that security perspectives pertaining to the environment, climate change, HIV/AIDS and other global threats to health continue to be considered by the UN Security   Council also in future. To prevent conflicts, the Council should maintain closer contacts with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Finland supports the UN’s mediation efforts pursued to further peace processes and stresses the  importance of enhancing the preconditions for mediation available within the framework of the UN system and structures.

Support for Peacekeeping Activities

Finland emphasises the central role of the UN in international crisis management  and will continue to make a significant contribution to UN-mandated operations.

Finland endeavours to contribute to the development of the UN peacekeeping structures and to ensure sufficient funding for peacekeeping  operations. Preventing acts of abuse by peacekeepers requires consistent measures  and regulations, and stricter sanctions. Finland supports the so-called Security Sector  reform (SSR) in target countries. Especially international coordination of SSR  support measures should be intensified.

Finland encourages UN and other actors engaged in crisis management operations to develop their mutual cooperation. Within the UN, Finland strives to enhance cooperation and coordination especially with the European Union, the  Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO and the African Union (AU). Work is done, in particular, to foster more intensive cooperation between the UN and the EU in these issues.

Promotion of the status of women is a cross-cutting theme in Finland’s interaction in the UN. The Government Programme states that the status of women shall be  furthered particularly in conflict prevention and crisis management. Finland supports the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security adopted in 2000. Finland has drawn up a national Action Plan based on the Resolution.

Arms Control and Disarmament

Finland considers that the role of the UN in multilateral arms control cooperation is  pivotal, and supports amendment of the shortcomings identified in the monitoring and verification of agreement systems. Arms control is also an element of the broader  goals related to the promotion of development, human rights, peace and  ther aspects of human security.

Furthermore, issues related to conventional weapons are becoming increasingly  important in multilateral arms control efforts. Finland participates actively in the UN's efforts to prevent the illegal proliferation of small arms and light weapons, and strives, in particular, to promote the conclusion of an international arms trade treaty.

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is among the major threats  to security. The possibility that such weapons might fall into the hands of terrorists represents a special threat. Finland bolsters the UN’s central role in averting  he proliferation of weapons of mass destruction – especially the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 on the prevention of the  proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Finland also underscores the importance of considering the consequences of armed violence in development (the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development Process).

Support for Anti-Terrorism

Finland supports the UN’s efforts to establish a general legal framework for anti- terrorism and to monitor the implementation of international obligations. Finland has ratified twelve antiterrorism conventions and protocols prepared within the UN,  while the ratification process of four new conventions or protocols is under way. Central goals include effective implementation of the UN Counter- errorism Strategy and consensus on the conclusion of  the Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism.

Ensuring that persons responsible for terrorist acts are brought to justice is a central  area of international anti-terrorist cooperation, which is complemented, among others, by anti-terrorist sanctions and other preventive measures. Finland participates  actively in international antiterrorist cooperation, consistently striving to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in all anti-terrorist  efforts.

Countering the threat of terrorism also requires that the root causes of terrorism are  addressed through political dialogue and development cooperation. Finland supports, for example, the Alliance of Civilizations, based on the initiative of the UN  Secretary-General, which aims to strengthen mutual understanding across cultures and religions, and works to this end.