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

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Director Ebo for the briefing and recognize the presence of the Permanent Representative of Mali in today’s meeting.

 Guyana joins fellow Council members in expressing grave concern about the devastating impacts of the ongoing conflict and the dire humanitarian situation that has arisen in Ukraine as a result of the hostilities.   

The rising civilian death toll and continued targeting of civilian objects point to an almost willful disregard for the fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Principles that underline the responsibility of any party to an armed conflict to behave in a manner consistent with military necessity, humanity, and proportionality.  

Guyana condemns all attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects. We demand that the parties comply fully with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We also call for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all populations in need, including in the occupied regions.

Mr. President,

Two days ago, we heard from ASG Jenča that July was the deadliest month for civilians in two and a half years of armed conflict in Ukraine. According to OHCHR, over 11,000 civilians have been killed, including 639 children. Over 24,000 people have been injured including over 1,500 children. Most civilian casualties were caused either using explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas or mines and explosive remnants of war.

Yet we continue to receive reports of the transfer or planned transfer of weapons with the capacity to inflict even deadlier and more indiscriminate damage.

Mr. President,

Guyana shares Mr. Ebo’s concern about the risk of diversion of weapons and ammunition transferred to the conflict area. As stated, many times in this chamber, the supply of weapons and ammunition into any armed conflict can escalate or prolong the violence and increase the risk of their diversion.  

Guyana and other countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region know only too well about the deadly impact of the diversion of weapons, especially small arms and light weapons and their ammunition.

They account for the majority of homicides in our countries and play a central role in all aspects of transnational organized crime, leading to profound socioeconomic impact and human cost.

In other regions, this challenge may be even greater. Guyana, therefore, continues to urge due caution in ensuring that all transfers are transparent, within the international legal framework, and have provisions for controls to prevent their irregular transfer.

We also echo the call for all involved to comply fully with the provisions of international disarmament instruments and to ensure that weapons and ammunition transfers do not violate these instruments or UN Security Council resolutions.  

Moreover, we maintain that the only effective means of preventing any further escalation or instability in Ukraine and the broader region is to end this war and to end it through peaceful means.  

We call upon the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and urge the parties to commit to a political and diplomatic process toward ending the conflict.  

I Thank You.