Statement 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" (Weapons Transfers to Ukraine)

Thank you, Mr. President,

I take this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families, government and people of Iran, on the loss of the President, Foreign Minister and other officials in the tragic helicopter crash.

I thank Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu for the update provided and take note of Ms. Kimberley’s contribution. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Ukraine in today’s meeting.

Guyana is alarmed at the rising civilian casualties sustained in this war. Even as we voice our concern about the impact of the countless explosive devices launched every day from the ground and air, against cities, towns, and critical civilian infrastructure, there continues to be an escalation in attacks with intense missile and drone strikes increasingly jeopardizing the availability of essential services. Many of these attacks violate the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.

Guyana condemns the use of violence against civilians and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and calls upon the parties to uphold their obligations under international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and to ensure the safety of civilians, their homes, schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure.

We commend the humanitarian community for supporting the millions of people in need amid this tragedy and welcome their continued efforts to scale up the humanitarian response.

Guyana also wishes to register its concern about the grave risks posed to regional and global security by transferring weapons into an active conflict. We maintain that the supply of weapons and ammunition into any armed conflict situation has the potential to further escalate or prolong the violence and increase the risks of their diversion to unauthorized end-users.

We call upon all parties involved in the transfer of arms to the conflict zone to ensure that the transfers are done in compliance with relevant disarmament instruments and UN Security Council resolutions.

We further call for controls to prevent their irregular transfer and for the parties to desist from the use of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions which will continue to have lasting and devastating impacts on the lives of civilians long after the war ends.

Guyana deplores the use of such weapons and urges full compliance with international disarmament instruments and obligations.

We further underscore that the only effective means of preventing further escalation or instability in Ukraine and the broader region is to end this war and to do so through peaceful means.  

I Thank You!