Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council Briefing on 'Maintenance of Peace and Security of Ukraine'

Thank you, Madam President,

Guyana is gravely concerned about the dangerous trajectory of this conflict. Each day we hear more harrowing reports of the death and destruction brought upon innocent civilians who are bearing the brunt of this conflict. They did not ask for this war and they have little means of escaping it.  

We share the ASG Jenča’s concern about the ramifications of any further escalation of this conflict and reiterate our call for an immediate end to the unrelenting violence and violations of international law.  

While the Council’s meetings on Ukraine have become predictable and routine, we must resist attempts to normalize this conflict and the suffering of civilians. It is this Council’s duty to live up to its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Bringing the war to an end must, therefore, be our foremost concern.

Madam President,  

Two and a half years ago, on 23rd February, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine stood before the General Assembly pleading for the UN to take swift, concrete and resolute actions to “avert a new devastating catastrophe in Europe”.  He sounded the alarm that day about Russian military forces amassed along the Ukrainian border and warned that every nation would become embroiled in the ensuing crisis if we fail to act. But there was no action from the Security Council. One day later, we all watched in disbelief as Article 2(4) of the UN Charter was violated and the most sacred tenets of international law trampled upon. Much has happened since then. Many more violations have been recorded on both sides of the frontline.  Homes, schools, hospitals, and other critical civilian infrastructure became the targets of missiles and innocent civilians their hapless victims.

Almost in real time, we the members of the Security Council receive reports of the latest atrocities. Yet we have been unable to frontally address these violations. Oftentimes, we find ourselves being more spectators as these Chambers become a theatre for the latest public relations spins. All the while, the death toll and list of casualties continue to climb.  

Men. Women. Children. Parents, grandparents, babies. They were all waiting on this Council to deliver swift, concrete and resolute actions. To stop the war. Stop the destruction. Stop the suffering. Instead, we witness lives cut short, futures lost or paused, while pain and suffering multiply.

Madam President,

We are often told that this war must be won militarily. We’re not convinced that this is the only option. This is why we applaud the efforts of those who have decided to work for peace. To develop peace plans and convene peace conferences.  We understand that the plans may not individually offer the full spectrum of solutions being sought at this stage, but they are a step in the right direction. They represent an earnest desire of the members of the international community to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Guyana as a small developing country, will continue to use its voice and seat in this Council to support efforts aimed at ending the war and achieving lasting and sustainable peace.  As an elected member, we came here with no illusions but ready and prepared to work for peace.  

To be clear, our call for peace and dialogue by no means implies an indifference to violations of international law. On the contrary, we affirm that respect for the legal obligations enshrined in the UN Charter and international law must be upheld and that the acquisition of territory by force must never be condoned.  

We also continue to call, as we do today, for full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. We will continue, too, to demand that this Council live up to its responsibility and take action to bring about a peaceful end to this war. It is our duty to change the dangerous trajectory this conflict is taking.

Madam President, in closing, as you know, the mural that hangs behind you was gifted to the United Nations by the Kingdom of Norway. I think it apt today to recall the words of the Norwegian Foreign Minister who said that it was meant to inspire those working in this Chamber to carry out the core of the United Nations’ mandate.

This is a responsibility that rests upon our shoulders. One that we chose and promised to uphold. One that we cannot and must not abrogate.

I Thank You.