Norway’s key leadership tasks in UN Security Council
News story | Date: 14/01/2022 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In its second year as a member of the UN Security Council, Norway will co-chair the Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security together with Kenya. Norway will also continue to hold the subsidiary body chair positions it was given in 2021.
Norway will continue to chair the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, the Isil (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, and the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. Norway will also continue to be penholder on the Afghanistan file and the Syria humanitarian file.
In 2022, Norway will in addition take on the task of co-chair of the Informal Expert Group of Members of the Security Council on Climate and Security together with Kenya.
‘Climate and security is one of Norway’s key priority areas in the Security Council. There is no longer any doubt that climate change has an impact on international peace and security, and increases the risk of conflict. The Security Council must step up its efforts to understand and counteract these negative impacts as early on as possible. Norway will work actively to promote the Security Council’s efforts in this area, for example, by using scientific data systematically,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
Norway will continue to have responsibility for some of the key chair positions of the Security Council’s subsidiary bodies in 2022. Last year, Norway was co-penholder on Afghanistan with Estonia. This year, Norway will be the sole penholder. At the same time, Norway will continue as co-penholder together with Ireland on the Syria humanitarian file.
‘It is a vote of confidence that Norway has received support to continue these important leadership positions. This will enable us both to focus on Norwegian priorities and to help to find common solutions that will genuinely promote international peace and security,’ said Ms Huitfeldt.
In a world still dealing with an ongoing pandemic, climate change, increasing poverty, enormous humanitarian needs, high numbers of refugees and displaced people, and complex conflict situations, it is vital that the UN Security Council’s efforts to prevent conflict and promote international peace and security are successful. The Security Council has a number of subsidiary bodies, including 14 sanctions committees and 7 working groups. It is a long-standing tradition for these to be chaired by the elected members. Each Council member is represented in all subsidiary bodies.
For more information, see the UN Security Council website.
Norway’s roles in the Security Council
- Norway chairs the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee
- Norway chairs the Isil (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee
- Norway chairs the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict
- Norway co-chairs the Informal Expert Group of Members of the Security Council on Climate and Security together with Kenya
- Norway is penholder on the Afghanistan file
- Norway is co-penholder together with Ireland on the Syria humanitarian file