Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, at the Security Council meeting on Non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Ms. Nakamitsu, High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and Mr. Leff for their briefings. I also acknowledge the presence of the Representatives of the DPRK, EU and Ukraine in this meeting.

Guyana expresses its deep concern at the recent missile launch and test conducted by the DPRK.  We call again on the DPRK to honour all its obligations under the relevant Council resolutions. We also urge all Member States to take steps to strictly enforce the measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of arms and related materiel to or from the DPRK, as well as items relevant to nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes or other weapons of mass destruction.

Mr. President,

We took note of the recent signing of the "Treaty on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" between the Russian Federation and the DPRK and the concerns this has sparked among Member States. We stress the obligation of the parties to ensure that the Treaty and the implementation of it fully aligns with international law and with the resolutions adopted by the Security Council concerning the DPRK. 

As the situation on the Korean Peninsula remains volatile, Guyana stresses that denuclearization is critical for de-escalating tensions and resolving the conflict thereby creating a path to sustainable peace on the Peninsula. To this end, we urge the early resumption of dialogue among the concerned parties. We also encourage the DPRK to return to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and to abandon its nuclear weapons programme in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. This is critical for achieving the global aspiration for a nuclear-weapon-free world.

In conclusion, Mr. President, Guyana reaffirms its commitment to the Council’s efforts in fully implementing the resolutions related to the DPRK and to advancing the non-proliferation and disarmament agenda. We further reiterate our position that the total elimination of nuclear weapons is vital to ensuring international peace and security.

I thank you!