Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on Threats to International Peace and Security (Destruction of the Nord Stream Pipelines)

Thank you, Madam President,

Colleagues,

The new security reality that we confront today is one where critical energy infrastructure such as oil and gas pipelines, storage facilities, and electricity grids are becoming targets for malicious, criminal, and even terrorist attacks.

In our quest to advance the development of our people and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we have found new and innovative ways of leveraging our comparative advantages and synergies to drive national development. Transboundary gas pipelines have become an important investment in this regard, by providing access to energy for development and improved quality of life for millions of people and require international collaboration and cooperation to ensure their protection.   

The attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines two years ago are an unfortunate reminder of the complex risks posed to critical energy infrastructure.

Guyana firmly condemns all attacks on critical energy infrastructure. The increasingly transboundary nature of such assets means that their disruption or destruction can have far-reaching consequences on society and the environment and must compel us to place the issue of their protection higher on the political agenda.

We have noted from recent reports that there has been some progress in the ongoing investigation into the deliberate rupturing of the twin pipelines, which from all indications was carried out with powerful explosives.  

We have also noted that the German authorities have issued an arrest warrant in connection with the matter and that an investigation is ongoing. We support a thorough and conclusive investigation and hope that those responsible for this criminal act will soon be brought to justice.  

One concerning aspect of the Nord Stream attacks was the potentially grave toxicological and ecological risks posed to marine life from the leakage of methane gas and debris. Fortunately, the pipelines were not operational at the time of the explosion but this is little comfort given the fact that the explosions also occurred within 20 km of a designated chemical munition dumpsite and could have had even greater implications for the marine ecosystem and beyond.

Guyana takes positive note of the proactive response of the neighbouring Baltic States in investigating the incident and underscores the need for effective transboundary and international cooperation in responding to such incidents.  

We urge the international community to extend the support necessary to ensure full accountability.   

I Thank You.