News

Statement by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic and the Baltic Countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden at the UNGA debate under the agenda item 33 - Protracted conflicts in the GUAM area and their implications for international peace, security and development on Thursday, 4 June 2026.

President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic and the Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Lithuania.

Since Russia’s 2008 war against Georgia, the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity continue to be undermined, while thousands of people are still unable to return to their homes.

We remain deeply concerned by the prolonged plight of internally displaced persons and refugees, whose fundamental rights and dignity continue to be affected in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

As noted in the Secretary General’s report, as of January 2026, 300,439 individuals remain registered as internally displaced persons in Georgia, with the largest concentrations in Tbilisi and Zugdidi/Samegrelo.

Despite international efforts by the UN, EU, OSCE and others, no meaningful progress has been made on the safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees to Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali /South Ossetia. As reflected in the latest Secretary General’s Report, Russia and the de facto authorities continue to deny the return of ethnic Georgians and pursue discriminatory policies, including treating displaced Georgians as foreigners or stateless persons through restrictive documentation and residency practices, defining ethnic Georgians as “foreign” or “stateless”,

During the reporting period, so-called “borderization” activities along the administrative boundary lines with Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia continued. Additional restrictions on freedom of movement were observed, including the installation of “border” markers, surveillance infrastructure, and watch posts, alongside ongoing monitoring and detentions carried out by the Russian Federation border guards.

Ensuring freedom of movement remains crucial for improving the living conditions of the local population, advancing the reintegration of returnees and preventing renewed displacement. In that context, it remains essential to identify and implement solutions for the provision of documentation, including to children, in conformity with international law, international human rights law and the principles governing the prevention and reduction of statelessness.

While international access to South Ossetia remains largely unavailable, international organizations continue to operate in Abkhazia. In this context, the role of UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, UN Women, WHO, ICRC and several international NGOs in supporting the affected population remains particularly important and should continue. We reiterate the call for unhindered regular access of humanitarian and development organizations to South Ossetia to assess needs and assist the population, especially those who are most vulnerable.

In this context, we welcome the Georgian Government’s commitment to provide IDPs with necessary assistance. 

We reiterate our support to the process of Geneva International Discussions, established pursuant to the 12 August 2008 Six-point agreement and regret repeated walkouts by the participating delegations.

President,

We continue to view the situation in Georgia within the broader international context of Russia's persistent efforts to undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of its neighboring states.  The most blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law being the unjustified, illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine, alongside maintaining illegal military presence in Moldova and Georgia.

The Nordic and the Baltic countries reiterate full support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia within their internationally recognized borders. 

The resolution we are adopting today reconfirms the need to continue working for protection and assistance to those who have been forcibly displaced and have not been able to exercise their right to return home safely and in dignity.

We underscore the importance of the UN’s continuous attention to this issue. Therefore, our countries vote in favor of this resolution, and we call on all UN Member States to vote YES.

I thank you.