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

Thank you, Madam President,

I also thank Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs for the update provided.

Guyana remains gravely concerned about the mounting civilian casualties in this war. We deplore the recent shelling of an aid distribution site in the Donetsk region that claimed the lives of three Red Cross staff. We demand that the parties to the conflict uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by taking constant care to spare civilians, humanitarian workers, and civilian objects from harm, and grant safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for all in need.

We were deeply distressed to learn yesterday of the missile strike against a ship carrying over 26,000 tons of grain in the Black Sea and continue to stress the need for a peaceful end to the ongoing conflict. We also continue to demand full adherence to the principles of the Charter of this Organization.

Madam President,

Over 11,000 civilians in Ukraine, many of whom were women and children, have had their lives cut short in a war that appears to have little regard for their protected status.

Briefer after briefer has warned of the grave violations being committed, including with weapons, which by nature are indiscriminate, and thus their effects cannot be limited as required under international humanitarian law.

Several reports indicate that most civilian casualties recorded to date were caused by the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas, such as artillery shells and rockets, bombs, missiles, loitering munitions, and other explosive munitions dropped by unmanned aerial vehicles.

Some of these weapons not only present an immediate threat to civilians during a conflict but pose a danger to lives and livelihoods long after the conflict has ended.

I speak here, Mr. President, especially of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, which can remain dormant and in the ground for decades. As a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, among others, Guyana calls for full compliance with international law and international disarmament instruments and obligations.

We also emphasize, as has High Representative Nakamitsu and the United Nations Office on Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) on many occasions, that conventional arms and ammunition are at risk of diversion throughout their life cycle and even more so when they are transferred into an armed conflict.

Guyana continues to urge that all transfers be conducted within the existing international legal framework, including UN Security Council resolutions, and with adequate controls in place to prevent their irregular transfer.

In conclusion, Mr. President, we maintain that any lasting solution to this conflict will not be achieved through military action or a cycle of meetings that proffer no solutions nor yield concrete outcomes to change the situation on the ground. It must be done through diplomacy and good-faith negotiations conducted in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter and international law. It is this Council’s responsibility to put an end to the cycle of violence and pain.

Guyana, therefore, reiterates its call for the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and urges the parties to commit to a political and diplomatic process toward ending the conflict.

I Thank You