Statement delivered by Ms. Neishanta Benn, Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, during the United Nations Security Council briefing on Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine

Thank you, President,

We commend the United Kingdom for the swiftness with which they responded to the request from Ukraine to discuss recent escalations in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

We welcome the Council’s determination to keep this matter at the top of its agenda and hope that our deliberations today will encourage more deliberate steps toward de-escalation and resolving the conflict peacefully.

I thank ASG Jenča for the important updates provided.

President,

Guyana finds the reports of escalations in the conflict deeply troubling. We are among the majority of UN Member States that continue to call for an immediate end to the unrelenting violence and violations of international law seen in this conflict.

It is innocent civilians who continue to bear the brunt of this conflict.

Just yesterday, at your initiative, Madam President, the Council met to discuss the protection of civilians in armed conflict and the need for more concrete efforts to protect humanitarian workers.

We heard from every member of the UN Security Council about the need to prevent and respond to such attacks. We believe it is self-evident that the first step in that regard is to work together to end the hostilities, not only in Ukraine but in other parts of the world as well.

In this respect, Guyana wishes to reiterate its call for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. As we consider the options that would take us to such an end state, we demand that the parties comply with their obligations under international law and prioritize the protection of civilians and civilian objects, taking all necessary precautions to protect them from harm.

Every life matters. UNICEF has reported that an average of at least 16 children are killed or injured in Ukraine every week. The total number of civilian casualties currently stands at over 30,000 which includes civilians killed or injured since February 2022, the vast majority from bombings in urban areas.

Thousands more continue to endure relentless hostilities, prolonged displacement, and severe shortages of essential resources including safe water, electricity, and other necessities. The situation gets worse each time there is an escalation in the conflict.

It is for this reason that Guyana continues to call for a serious political and diplomatic process to pave the path to peace. We commend the efforts of those who have committed to finding pathways to peacefully end the war and stress the need for this to be a collective endeavour.

We insist on this Council living up to the responsibility entrusted to it and take action to protect civilians and change the dangerous trajectory that this conflict is taking.

We also remain firm in our view that respect for the provisions of the UN Charter and international law must be upheld and, therefore, call on the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine.

In closing, Guyana stands ready to contribute to any effort that will lead to a lasting and sustainable peace in Ukraine.

I thank you.