Joint Nordic statement delivered by H.E. Ms. Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir,
the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland
(Resumed) Open debate of the Security Council on
"Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Artificial Intelligence and International Peace and Security"
25 September, 2025

Mr. President & Members of the Security Council,  

I deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries - Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Iceland. We thank the Republic of Korea for organizing this briefing and the briefers for sharing their insights.   

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to promote international peace and security and strengthen development and human rights. Its development surges and its usage grows day by day. Any notion that A.I. is a technology for tomorrow must be replaced by an acceptance that it is already deeply integrated into many aspects of our daily lives. Although we are still in the early stages, we must seize every opportunity to shape its trajectory in ways that promote international peace, security and responsible innovation.  

A.I.’s immense potential holds the promise of a future marked by positive change and increased ease of endeavour in nearly all fields of society. The technology has the potential to be instrumental in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and offers powerful tools to address global challenges related to health, education, climate and economic development. 

However, A.I. is already being utilized for political advantages and military gains worldwide. Therefore, managing the risks and harnessing the potential of A.I. is an urgent global imperative. 

Mr. President  

The Nordic countries reaffirm their longstanding position that international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, must be upheld and safeguarded as the foundational framework for the development and use of A.I. - both offline and online. Human oversight and control over A.I. must be guaranteed, and transparency and accountability must be preserved across the technology’s lifecycle to mitigate safety and security risks.  

While the benefits of A.I. are clear and plentiful, so too are the possibilities of negative impacts and the danger of malignant use. We have already witnessed the use of A.I. for information manipulation and interference, in such a way that it poses a risk to the sense of security and stability of our societies. Such negative impacts remind us of the fact that technology is designed and deployed based on the interests or values of the designer and then used according to the values of the user. Amplifying either our best or worst intentions. 

Mr. President 

The application of A.I. in the military domain demands particular attention. The potential for misuse, unpredictability and lack of accountability in the use of A.I. during conflict is a serious concern shared by all – one that must be urgently addressed and mitigated.  

Military systems that use A.I. and autonomy need to ensure that accountability is required, and liability is possible – from states and authorities, as well as companies, and individuals. A general principle should be that meaningful human control is exercised.   

At the same time, A.I. can offer benefits, such as improved protection of civilians and early warning, which can also be relevant in the context of UN peacekeeping. There is also potential for A.I. to assist arms control and disarmament verification efforts. 

Mr. President  

In this important technological shift, the Security Council can and should be a driving force for safeguarding and respecting international law.  

The Nordic countries would like to emphasise that the Security Council should support efforts to regulate the development and use of A.I., rooted in international law, and principles that ensure human dignity, privacy and non-discrimination. We also recognize the important work and steps the Security Council has already taken on this matter.  

Furthermore, we note the many initiatives made by the United Nations to address the issue and support further development of discussions in this field. Work by other organs of the UN is also important to consider in this context, such as the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of A.I.  

We would like to highlight the numerous tools, such as the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, that provide both guidance and platforms for all delegations to express their views and vision of A.I. governance. An example of this is the fact that the UN Human Rights Council is currently discussing challenges posed by A.I. to the right of privacy, non-discrimination, equality and enjoyment of all human rights. 

The Nordic countries strongly support these initiatives and advocate for a unified, value-driven approach to global A.I. governance at the UN. 

Mr. President 

The Council has a role to play: to remain seized on this critical issue, to lend its support to the wide range of UN-led and other international processes, and to uphold international law as a cornerstone of its actions and decisions. 

Finally,  

We also reiterate that the Council has our undivided support and trust in the work ahead – and may count on our willingness to engage constructively on this issue.   

Thank you, Mr. President.