Joint Nordic Statement: Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters

Joint Nordic Statement delivered by H.E. Ms. Elina Kalkku, 
Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations
81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Sixth Committee
Agenda item 88: United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries
on Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters
13 October 2026

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – and my own country, Finland.

We are witnessing an increase in the number and scale of disasters across the globe causing immense suffering and damage. This will continue to be further exacerbated by climate change. The currently strengthening El Niño, occurring against the backdrop of long-term climate warming, is expected to increase the risks of drought, flooding, extreme heat and other hazards in several regions, with potentially serious humanitarian consequences. We need to face these challenges together. The decision taken by this Committee and the resolution adopted by General Assembly to move forward with the elaboration of a legally binding instrument on the protection of persons in the event of disasters is an important step and opportunity for further progress in this area of international law.

The Nordic countries are firm supporters of further strengthening the international disaster relief and humanitarian assistance system. Enhanced international cooperation in all phases of disasters will help reduce risks and ensure that the needs of persons affected by disaster are met in a timely manner. The Nordic countries consider that the draft articles, as adopted by the International Law Commission, provide a solid basis for negotiations. We have also submitted joint written proposals for amendments to the draft articles.

Chair,

Balancing the sovereign rights of the affected State and the need for international assistance in order to protect persons affected by disasters is at the very heart of the negotiations on the future legally binding instrument. The Nordic countries consider that the ILC draft articles have succeeded in finding an appropriate balance.

There is broad agreement among delegations that the affected State has the primary role in disaster relief assistance efforts on their territory and that external assistance cannot be provided without the affected State’s consent. Still, sovereignty entails not only rights but also responsibilities toward affected populations. By requiring that such consent shall not be withheld arbitrarily, the draft articles reflect the dual nature of sovereignty as entailing both rights and responsibilities.

This is also reflected in draft article 11 in the duty of an affected State to seek external assistance when needs clearly exceed domestic resources. This means that withholding requests for assistance, when it is manifestly required, would be inconsistent with responsible governance.

The Nordic countries also support that the affected State may place conditions on external assistance, provided these conditions uphold humanitarian principles, respect international law, including international humanitarian law, and address the needs of affected persons. Such conditions are also important from the point of view of preserving principled humanitarian assistance.

Chair,

The draft articles underline that disaster response shall be undertaken in accordance with humanitarian principles, including to assist persons most in need, especially those in the most vulnerable situations. The Nordic countries emphasize the need to preserve principled humanitarian assistance throughout the instrument, as principled humanitarian assistance provided by neutral humanitarian actors best translates into humanitarian access on the ground. Draft article 3 on the use of terms is crucial in this regard and the Nordic countries have made several proposals for amendments.

Humanitarian principles include the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Independence signifies autonomy of humanitarian objectives from political, economic, military or other objectives, and should also be included in draft Article 6, as has been proposed by a large number of delegations. The Nordic countries have also emphasized that response to disasters should take place in accordance with the ‘do no harm’ principle, in order to prevent and alleviate any adverse consequences of disaster relief assistance to the persons affected by disasters and to the environment.

The Nordic countries have consistently highlighted the importance of preserving the integrity of international humanitarian law. In addition to our continuous support to current draft article 18, we are pleased that there has been wide agreement across delegations that regarding the definition of disaster in article 3(a), a situation of armed conflict should not be qualified per se as a disaster for the purposes of the future convention.

Chair,

It is important that the draft articles reflect the centrality of the principle of human dignity and that the future convention also recalls the duty of States to respect, protect and fulfil human rights. Persons are at their most vulnerable in times of disasters and, therefore, preventing human rights violations and abuses and actively fulfilling human rights are of utmost importance.

We would also wish to reiterate the importance of integrating a gender perspective and taking into consideration those in the most vulnerable situations in all disaster-related efforts, to ensure that assistance and protection are provided without discrimination. For example, persons with disabilities are often disproportionately affected by disasters. The Nordic countries also emphasize that the identified needs of affected persons should be adequately considered throughout different phases of the response, including when external assistance is terminated, to ensure continuity and prevent any gaps in the response.

The Nordic countries also see merit in highlighting the important role of assisting actors in disaster risk management, including the components of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as the important role played by local state and non-state actors, including women-led organizations.

Chair,

Prevention remains key. The obligation of states to take appropriate measures – including through legislation and regulation – to prevent, mitigate, and prepare for disasters is an important aspect of the ILC draft articles. This is not only a legal imperative but also a practical necessity in the face of disasters. The Nordic countries support draft Article 9 on reduction of the risk of disasters as drafted.

Chair,

In conclusion, The Nordic countries wish to reiterate our commitment to engaging constructively in the negotiations at the upcoming United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters. The Nordic countries will strive for an effective and inclusive instrument that strengthens international cooperation while upholding respect for State sovereignty and the dignity and rights of affected populations.

We look forward to working with all delegations to advance this important agenda.

Thank you.