Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, at the Security Council Arria Formula Meeting on ‘Stepping up Preventive Action: From Environmental Challenges to Opportunities for Peace’

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Slovenia for convening this Arria-formula meeting, which Guyana is pleased to co-sponsor. I also thank Ms. Amy Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration, and Ms. Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, for their insightful briefings as well as Ms Nohora Alejandra Quiguantar for sharing her perspective.

Mr. President,

While it has been argued that climate and environmental factors are never the sole cause of conflict but are threat multipliers, we have repeatedly seen how scarcity and competition for dwindling natural resources have driven displacement and conflict. It is, therefore, imperative that environmental action is also part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding strategies. 

In addition to climate and environmental factors driving conflict, we must also consider how conflict itself contributes to environmental degradation, upending lives and livelihoods, and the issue of accountability. A case in point is Gaza, where explosive weapons have generated more than 39 million tons of debris. The full effects of this and other environmental damages for Gaza and the world are not yet known.   

In a 2009 study on "Protecting the Environment During Armed Conflict: An Inventory and Analysis of International Law”, the United Nations Environment (UNEP) found that there is no permanent international mechanism to monitor legal infringements and address compensation claims for environmental damage sustained during international armed conflicts.

This gap persists today.

Understanding the need for preventative action, in 2016, UNEP’s Assembly adopted a resolution that recognized the role of healthy ecosystems and the need to sustainably manage resources to reduce the risk of armed conflict.  Among other things, the resolution urges States to take all appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the relevant international obligations under international humanitarian law regarding protecting the environment during armed conflict

This is a critical instrument that the Security Council can build on to address the challenges associated with the adverse environmental impacts of armed conflicts.

UNEP’s work was underpinned by several examples of conflict and the environment being deeply interlinked. One example was the devastating effect of the armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the struggle for control of the country's vast natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and timber, has been a key driver of the violence.

It is against this backdrop that I wish to make three points on promoting preventive action.

First, like human casualties of war, the environment and the exploitation of natural resources, including deforestation and other biodiversity loss, are victims. The Council must consider enhanced cooperation in managing and protecting the environment and natural resources as part of efforts to ensure international peace and security.

Secondly, noting UNEP’s observation that the international community is inadequately equipped to monitor legal violations and determine liability for environmental damage caused by international armed conflicts, the UN Security Council, due to its binding and legal effect, should consider products that deter environmental damage and redress wartime infringements including the issue of accountability.

Thirdly, given its primary responsibility for maintaining peace, the Security Council must leverage the analysis and recommendations presented by the Climate Security Advisors attached to the Special Peacekeeping Missions, and other reports to the Council, to better inform the actions of the Council on the relevant issues. Guyana supports the calls to appoint a Special Representative for Climate, Peace, and Security with a mandate to integrate, climate considerations, more broadly, into the work of the Council. Early warning systems must be strengthened.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, it's on the issue of finance. One of the arguments, and we've heard this in some of our speakers' submissions earlier, one of the arguments against the Security Council addressing climate change in relation to security is that at the core of the issue is development. In other words, climate exacerbates the situation, especially for the poor, where those countries with the least ability to respond are the ones to suffer the most. For Guyana, it is not one or the other, but it is true that we must also develop the capability of those countries most vulnerable and with the least resources to respond. My call here is for climate finance commitments to be met. Early warning systems will mean nothing if the lack of financial resources will prevent a proper response. Let's just take the Caribbean, where Hurricane Beryl came three months earlier, and her siblings may be just as destructive. How do we rebuild stronger to face the other hurricanes that will come without financing, especially when concessional financing is harder to obtain because you're considered a middle-income country.

Mr President,

As I close, we have recently seen an increase in conflicts, which, according to all reports, has negatively affected our planet’s natural resources and, by extension, the environment. This Council cannot afford to ignore or franchise out its central role on addressing this issue.   With the appropriate early warning and preventive action, we can turn the tide to ensure durable peace and safeguard our ecosystems.

I thank you.