Joint Nordic Statement: Effective measures to enhance the protection of diplomatic and consular missions

Joint Nordic Statement delivered by Ms. Sari Mäkelä, Legal Advisor,
Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations
81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly: Sixth Committee
Agenda item 82: Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives
20 October 2026

Madam/Mr Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and my own country Finland. This item on the consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives was originally included in the agenda of the General Assembly on the initiative of the Nordic countries. We continue to pay particular attention to this topic.

It is a matter of great concern to us that diplomatic agents and premises keep falling victim to attacks in receiving States despite the general recognition of the special duty to protect them.

Madam/Mr Chair,

We would like to express our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his report, contained in document A/81/209, as well as for his efforts in assisting the Member States to respond to the reporting request contained in paragraph 11 of resolution 79/124, which was adopted two years ago.

We would also like to extend our thanks to the States that have provided information pursuant to this resolution. We were pleased to note that with regard to many incidents, the report includes both a summary of the protection, security and safety failures encountered by the sending States as well as a summary of the follow-up measures taken by the receiving States.

In our view, such reporting is important in raising awareness in the world community about violations encountered by the sending States and about measures taken by the receiving States. Furthermore, we believe that it promotes efforts to prevent such violations from taking place.

The international legal instruments relevant for protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives have already been ratified by numerous States. However, we note that there have not been any new ratifications since the Secretary-General’s previous report two years ago. We continue to appeal to all States that have not yet done so to become parties to these instruments. Full implementation of such instruments by all States Parties is also of great significance.

Madam/Mr Chair,

Universally recognized rules and principles of international law, as reflected in the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, place upon the receiving State a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomatic and consular premises, to prevent any attacks against diplomatic and consular representatives and to accord full facilities for the performance of the functions of diplomatic missions and consular posts. Comparable duties apply to foreign missions and representatives to international intergovernmental organizations and officials of such organizations, in accordance with applicable international law. The obligation to protect diplomatic and consular premises and representatives is one of the cornerstones of international relations and aimed at protecting the channels of communication between States. Today, more than ever, it is important that these lines of communication remain open.

We urge States to honour their obligations under international law to provide protection to foreign missions, and to do their utmost to prevent such attacks from taking place on their territory. Where attacks have occurred, they must be fully investigated and those responsible must be held accountable.
We also wish to underline the need for close cooperation and information sharing on security matters not only at the international level, but also at the national level between the missions and the competent local authorities, in order to prevent violations of the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives.

Madam/Mr Chair,
Despite all the efforts undertaken, the Secretary-General's report again documents serious violations that have taken place. We have also learned about other attacks against diplomatic and consular missions and representatives. We express our regret at injuries suffered in such attacks and condemn all acts of violence in the strongest terms. The Nordic countries wish to emphasize that such violations and attacks can never be justified and perpetrators must be held accountable.

Thank you.