Denmark’s integrated stabilisation engagement fragile and conflict-affected areas of the World

The stabilisation of fragile and conflict-affected states is a crucial challenge in the 21st century. This is reflected in significant Danish engagements in recent years, such as Somalia, Mali, Syria and Afghanistan. Fragile states are challenged in terms of capacity or determination to provide the basic functions that constitute the necessary foundation for development and secu¬rity. This may have huge consequences in the form of extreme poverty, refugee flows, safe havens for terrorists, and economic crime.

Integrated stabilisation efforts lying at the nexus between security and development are a special priority in Danish foreign policy. Denmark has many different capacities at its disposal for stabilisation efforts, including diplomacy, development coopera¬tion, military and police contributions. An integrated approach is applied at many different levels – strategically and operationally.

In order to strengthen the coherence and impact of Den¬mark’s efforts abroad, the Danish Government has prepared this overarching policy for Denmark’s integrated stabilisation efforts. The policy brings together specific lessons learned from the field and presents guidelines for Denmark’s future stabilisation efforts.