13 September 2024
Madam President,
Distinguished members of the Security Council,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Since the last briefing to the Security Council on this topic only two weeks ago, the provision of military assistance and transfer of arms and ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces have continued in the context of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022 in violation of the UN Charter and of international law.
Much of the information on transfers of weapons systems and ammunition comes from various governments and is available through open sources. The transfers have reportedly included heavy conventional weapons such as battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters, large-calibre artillery systems, missile systems and uncrewed combat aerial vehicles, as well as remotely operated munitions, and small arms and light weapons and their ammunition.
There have also been reports of States transferring, or planning to transfer, weapons such as uncrewed aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and ammunition to the Russian armed forces and that those weapons have been used and are likely to be used in Ukraine.
Needless to say, any transfer of weapons and ammunition must be compliant with the applicable international legal framework, including of course, relevant Security Council resolutions, which in certain instances impose sanctions and restrictive measures on such transfers.
Reports related to the use and transfer of cluster munitions since the beginning of the conflict and the widespread contamination with mines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine are deeply concerning. The universal participation in and the full implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of AntiPersonnel Mines and on their Destruction, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons must remain a priority.
I call on all States to abide by their international humanitarian law obligations and to become parties as a matter of priority to disarmament treaties and comply with the obligations therein. Compliance with those obligations is crucial in preventing the causing of unnecessary suffering or superfluous injury to persons and in protecting civilians. In today’s challenging security context, it is more important than ever to reaffirm the value and importance of international humanitarian law.
Madam President,
Importing, transit, producing, and exporting States must act responsibly at every step along the arms and ammunition transfer chain to prevent and detect diversion, illicit trafficking and misuse. Pre-transfer risk assessments, marking and record-keeping practices, as well as tracing and investigation capabilities, are of utmost importance. Effective physical security and stockpile management of arms and ammunition, as well as customs and border control measures are also key.
To prevent the diversion of conventional arms and regulate the international arms trade, States have established a number of arms control treaties and instruments. This includes the Arms Trade Treaty, the Firearms Protocol, the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and its International Tracing Instrument and the Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management. Universal participation in the relevant treaties, as well as full and effective implementation of these treaties and instruments must remain a priority.
Madam President,
Hostilities and attacks continue to severely impact civilians and civilian infrastructure including energy, health and education facilities across Ukraine.
Since 24 February 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recorded over 11,700 civilians killed and more than 24,600 civilians injured in Ukraine. According to the OHCHR, August was the month with the second highest number of civilian casualties in 2024, after July, with at least 184 civilians killed and 856 injured in Ukraine.
The use of armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles by the Russian Federation continues to cause civilian deaths and injuries as well as damage to civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
In addition, there have also been reports of a number of cross-border strikes using missiles and uncrewed aerial vehicles by Ukraine inside the Russian Federation, with some resulting in civilian casualties and damage to civilian objects.
Armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles must not be used in a manner inconsistent with international humanitarian law.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas should be avoided. Their use continues to kill and injure thousands of civilians, including children. In addition, they expose civilian populations to severe and long-lasting indirect harm, including from the disruption of essential services.
The continued and intensified attacks affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure are deeply concerning. All parties to any armed conflict have an obligation under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. Civilians and combatants must be distinguished. Civilian objects and military objectives must be distinguished. Attacks must not be directed against civilians and civilian objects. Indiscriminate attacks are prohibited.
Madam President,
Distinguished members of the Security Council,
The United Nations will continue working towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations international law, and relevant General Assembly resolutions.
I hope that the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly serves as a moment to mend eroded trust and contributes to find solutions to bridge the political divides and end the conflicts that are causing so much death and suffering.
I thank you very much for your attention.