Ávarp á friðarráðstefnunni Imagine Forum

Dear panellists and guests,

It is often said that Iceland is a country that puts a high premium on peace. It is a part of our national identity to point to the fact that Iceland does not have a military and has never had its own armed forces.

We can also point to the fact that on the list of the safest countries in the world, published last week, Iceland ranked number one - and this is the place we have held for fourteen years running.

Is this because we are more peace-loving than other countries?

I don't think so.

I think we are lucky - and I know that we enjoy protection.

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The peace that Iceland enjoys is protected by a system of international law, by international organizations that safeguard these laws—and, ultimately, we are protected by our allies who promise to defend Iceland in case there is such a breakdown in the international system that our security would be threatened.

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Unfortunately, there are too many places that do not enjoy peace.

Is this because the people there are less peace-loving?

I think not.

In fact, I believe that the desire for peace is nowhere more intense than among people who have experienced war or live under threat of violence.

Ask the people of Ukraine if they desire peace.

Ask the women of Afghanistan if they want peace and freedom.

Ask the parents of young children in Israel or Palestine if they desire a future of peace for their children.

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It is quite appropriate for us here in Iceland—a country that has never suffered a violent invasion by a foreign country or been subject to a brutal occcupation—to be thankful.

But we do not have any excuse to be boastful.

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Sadly, there are too many topics that can be discussed under the heading of this session—Global Challenges to Peace in the 21st Century—and it does not give rise to particularly uplifting or optimistic discussions, as things stand.

Challenges to peace seem to be multiplying – not only in number but in severity. 

Over the weekend, we witnessed horrifying terrorist attacks by Hamas on the people of Israel. In line with their right to self-defence, Israel’s has declared war. There will be no winners in this horrific battle, which may move us even further away from a political solution.

On our continent, Russia’s continuing war of aggression is not only a brutal assault on Ukraine and its people but a direct affront to the international order.

Conflicts further afield have been the driver of rising hunger and humanitarian needs. 

Foreign interference and disinformation campaigns seem to be growing, undermining democracy and stability – whether in Africa, the Middle East or even in EU member states.

And there are those who seek to undermine the multilateral system to further their own oppressive agenda. 

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Dear guests.

Peace in its narrowest sense – peace from conflict – has proven elusive. Mankind has not found a solution to the incomprehensible tendency for men to put on uniform and then go against their fellow men in order to steal, hurt, rape and kill.

And peace in a broader sense – where people enjoy their full rights and freedoms is more elusive still. 

In Afghanistan, the Taliban regime’s near complete denial of the human rights of women and girls can be described as gender apartheid and may amount to a crime against humanity. 

In Europe, we see a growing trend of backsliding of democratic values and civil rights – often led by populist politicians who offer simplistic solutions to complex problems. They employ disinformation and foster polarization in their societies, sometimes abetted by malicious foreign interference.

And things are getting more complicated still.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, threats posed by disinformation campaigns and other hybrid means may increase exponentially.  And this will surely become a risk to peace, if it has not already.

We need to heighten our vigilance and strengthen our capacity to counter such efforts. 

But we must also make sure that the rights that are fundamental to free and open societies, like freedom of speech, are not unduly restricted in the process. A firm commitment to safeguarding our principles of democracy, equality and respect for human rights is crucial for preserving a peaceful and prosperous society.

We must also step up our efforts to counter global challenges to peace by addressing inequality, extreme poverty, food and energy insecurity, and other risk factors for instability and conflict. 

We must ensure that no one is left behind, so that everyone understands that we are stronger together, than if we are divided. Nations must work together to promote sustainable development and strengthen global capacity to respond to natural disasters and pandemics.

And most importantly, we need to ensure that the multilateral system prevails, and that respect for international law remains the basis for interaction between nations. 

Because otherwise, brute force will reign. This would not only make the existence of small states more uncertain, it would be a huge loss for all humankind.

If the multilateral system fails, we will have no hope of dealing with global threat-multipliers like climate change, or sustaining instruments for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation.

We would lose the instrument that has brought humankind closer to the elusive quest for peace.

Dear friends.

We are at a critical juncture.

I believe that the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine may determine the credibility of our multilateral system for a generation to come.

Let us not forget; what is happening in Ukraine now is not a "conflict". It really does not have two sides.

It is a rare case of a unilateral attack by one country against another country, where a larger neighbour, a permanent member of the security council, is attempting not only to take away land and steal people - but quite literally to erase a country from existence.

If Putin’s aggression is not checked, other autocrats will feel emboldened to disregard international law and violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their neighbours.

By supporting the Ukrainian people in defending their homeland, we are also helping to defend the rule of law and preserve the foundations for global peace and security. Democratic leaders need to explain in clear terms why this fight matters for our peoples and their future.

I sincerely believe that our best hope for a peaceful future is to stand firmly with multilateralism and its principles.

For a country like Iceland - that has so much to be thankful for - this is not only the right thing to do. It is our duty.

Thank you.