Conference: “Once More Unto the Breach”: Denmark on the Security Council in an Age of Instability

In preparation for Denmark’s new role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2025-2026, the University of Copenhagen’s Centre for Military Studies (CMS) and Centre of Excellence for International Courts (iCourts) invite scholars, practitioners, decision-makers, and members of civil society to a two-day conference to discuss critical issues in international law and security.

Day 1 will be devoted to reform of the Security Council’s membership and working methods, whereas Day 2 will address one of Denmark’s three priority issues as a Security Council member, namely, ‘the impact of climate change on peace and security’.

Information:

• Date: Wednesday 23 October and Thursday 24 October
• Venue: Auditorium 4A-0-69, ground floor, South Campus, Njalsgade 76, DK-2300 Copenhagen S

Day 1 - Security Council Reform – Implications for Denmark:

Despite repeated efforts by states, particularly those in the Global South, there has been only one change to the membership of the UN Security Council since its inception – expanding the number of non-permanent seats from six to ten – and no fundamental reform of its working methods. Two recent developments, however, have given such efforts new impetus. The first is the surprising statement by Joe Biden in 2022 that the US supports increasing the number of permanent seats on the Council to include not only traditional allies like Japan, Germany, and India, but also “countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.” The second is Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine: the Council’s inability to respond to the invasion because of Russia’s veto power has increased calls for the P5 to voluntarily refrain from vetoing resolutions aimed at ending mass atrocities and for the Council to enforce the provision in Art. 27 of the UN Charter that requires states not to vote on resolutions adopted under Chapter VI of the Charter concerning disputes to which they are a party.

The first day of the conference will bring together government officials, practitioners, scholars, and members of civil society to discuss recent efforts to reform Security Council membership and working methods.

Day 2 - Rising Sea Levels – Implications for International Law and Security:

As a member of the Security Council, Denmark has pledged to promote three key issues: ‘1. To adapt the Security Council's crisis management and prevention to new types of conflicts. 2. Addressing the impact of climate change on peace and security. 3. Strengthening the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the Security Council.’

The second day of the conference will address the second issue, ‘the impact of climate change on peace and security’.

The rising sea levels caused by climate change raise numerous questions of international law. For small island states such as Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands, foundational issues are at stake, including whether territory is a necessary condition for continued statehood. At the same time, current developments put pressure on the international law of the sea, which in the short term may have immediate consequences for many states, including Denmark.

The second day of the conference will bring together government officials, practitioners, scholars, and members of civil society to discuss recent developments in international law in relation to rising sea-levels.

Registration

Everyone is welcome, but registration is necessary throught this formular - no later than Tuesday 22 October at 12:00.