Statement by Sweden on behalf of the Nordics Countries in the 74th Session of the Sixth Committee Agenda item 81

Mr Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden on the topic Consideration of prevention of transboundary harm from hazardous activities and allocation of loss in the case of such harm.

The Nordic countries would like to thank the Secretary-General for the report for this session. We would also like to express our gratitude to the International Law Commission for its continuing contribution to the codification and progressive development of international law.

The Nordic countries welcome once again the ILC articles concerning the prevention of transboundary harm from hazardous activities, as presented by the Commission, the text of which was annexed to resolution 62/68 to the attention of Governments.

The Nordic countries also welcome once again the ILC principles on the allocation of loss in the case of transboundary harm arising out of hazardous activities, the text of which was annexed to General Assembly resolution 61/36.

We note that the General Assembly in its resolution 71/143 invited Governments to submit further comments on any future action, in particular on the form of the respective articles and principles, bearing in mind the recommendations made by the Commission in that regard, including in relation to the elaboration of a convention on the basis of the articles, as well as on any practice in relation to the application of the articles and principles. As to the final form of the articles and principles, the Nordic countries have been, as has been stated previously, quite flexible. We would see merit in combining the articles and principles into a single document.

In any event, today these articles and principles, as developed by the ILC and adopted by the General Assembly, are parts of the international law framework, either as customary law or as non-binding guidance.

Thank you.