Full statement delivered by Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations at the 9579th Meeting of the UN Security Council Chamber

Thank you, Excellency,

I thank the Japanese Presidency for convening this Briefing on Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. I wish to also thank Secretary-General Guterres for his statement and Executive Director Floyd and Director Mukhatzhanova for their briefings.

Madam President,
The current geopolitical environment is characterized by unprecedented levels of volatility with multiple conflicts within, between and among states. In many instances, they involve the use of inherently indiscriminate weapons that violate multiple disarmament instruments and result in higher numbers of civilian deaths. All of this is happening against the backdrop of dangerous nuclear weapons rhetoric that seeks to normalize the threat of use of such weapons. 

To proceed along this path, is to walk head-first into a global catastrophe. We must, therefore, frontally address threats to the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture. In doing so, there is need to enhance the role of the Security Council; strengthen the implementation of key non-proliferation instruments; ensure the responsible use of emerging technologies in nuclear disarmament and ensure women’s participation in disarmament discussions and decision-making. 

Firstly, the Security Council has an important role to play in risk reduction by enhancing awareness and implementation of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation instruments. 

As established in Article 26 of the Charter, and subsequent Security Council resolutions, this Council has a duty to promote peace with the least diversion of resources for armaments  and a responsibility to confront threats posed to the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, including any non-compliance with such obligations .

Divesting from armaments can play a critical role in reducing the risk of a nuclear conflict. However, it is quite evident that emphasis is placed on the maintenance, modernization, and acquisition of nuclear arsenals, while less resources are invested in development initiatives and in advancing the implementation of key non-proliferation instruments. This must change and for the better.

Notwithstanding the responsibilities of other organs of the United Nations, the Security Council must intensify its engagement and advance the regulation and reduction of armaments including nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.    

In reducing the risk of nuclear conflict and strengthening the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and associated regime, focus must also be placed on advancing implementation efforts of the NPT, and other key instruments, including the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) which has made considerable progress but more must be done.    

Madam President,
Guyana acknowledges that new and emerging technologies pose challenges to the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regimes. 
In this regard, we advocate for these technologies to be regulated and used responsibly for the greater good. At the same time, we also advocate for their enhanced use in verification and monitoring to advance the global disarmament and non-proliferation agenda. 

Finally, on the role of women, there is no doubt that women can contribute to achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.  I wish to recall that Security Council resolution 1325 on ‘Women and peace and security’, stresses the importance of women’s equal participation in the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making. 

As a signatory of the Women, Peace, and Security Shared Commitments, Guyana endorses “the call for the UN to lead by example in ensuring the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in peace processes”. We strongly believe that women must be part of disarmament discussions, at all levels as they are disproportionately affected in conflicts and still underrepresented in decision making. 

Madam President,
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate Guyana’s commitment to the advancement of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation agenda and to reaffirm that the only means of preventing the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is through their total elimination. 

I thank you.