Joint Nordic Statement by Ms. Dagny Marie Ås Hovind, Counsellor
Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations
Resumed Sixth Committee Session on PPED (Cluster 4)
8 April 2026

Mr/Madame Chair,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own country, Norway, reflecting our shared approach to the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters.

This cluster addresses key provisions of the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters—Articles 10, 11, 13, and 14. These provisions are central to placing human needs at the centre of disaster response and to promoting effective humanitarian cooperation in disaster situations.

Balancing sovereign rights of the affected State and the need to ensure international assistance is the very heart of the negotiations on PPED. In our view, the ILC’s draft articles succeed in finding adequate expressions for both concerns.

There is broad support among delegations that the affected State has the primary role in all disaster relief assistance efforts on their territory and that external assistance cannot be provided without the affected State’s consent. However, sovereignty entails not only rights but also responsibilities toward affected populations. The affected State’s leadership role is therefore to be complemented, not replaced, by the provisions on international cooperation.

• To preserve the principles of State control and quality in humanitarian assistance the Nordic countries have suggested that the word “supervision” in Article 10 (2) be replaced by the word “facilitation”.

We are furthermore committed to the obligation 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. Consent is a sovereign prerogative, but it must be exercised in good faith, guided by humanitarian imperatives. We support the ability of affected States to impose conditions on external assistance—provided these conditions uphold humanitarian principles, respect international law, and address the needs of affected persons.

• It is imperative that the second paragraph of Article 13 be maintained in the basic text to make sure that State consent is not arbitrarily withheld. Suggestions to delete this paragraph would mean upending the balanced approach as currently reflected in this cluster of provisions.

• To maintain our focus on the needs of affected persons the Nordic countries have suggested to add the word “adequately” in Article 14 so that it reads: “shall adequately take into account the identified needs…”

Mr/Madame Chair,

Some delegations have expressed concern that the draft provisions on assistance could be misused by others for political purposes or encroach on State control in situations of disasters. While we share legitimate concerns of delegations, there is no treaty provision that may be open to interpretation or application by anyone in bad faith as this would run counter to the very essence of international agreements.

Other delegations have questioned whether the balance of rights and duties in disaster situations in the draft articles reflects contemporary customary law. While we believe that an appropriate expression of custom has indeed been found in the ILC’s work, agreement on this point is not a condition for reaching consensus on an outcome. Through a diplomatic conference States may agree also on new developments in international law.

In conclusion, the Nordic countries reiterate our support for a legally binding instrument that strengthens international cooperation while upholding State sovereignty and the dignity and rights of affected populations. The draft articles dealt with in this cluster provide a sound and balanced foundation for core elements of a convention.

We look forward to constructive engagement during this resumed session and toward the Preparatory Committee later in 2026.

Thank you.