AS the international community continues to navigate the complexities of global conflicts, Guyana has added its voice to the grave dangers associated with the transfer of weapons in conflict zones and the urgent need for peaceful solutions.
Deputy Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Ambassador Trishala Persaud, made this call while addressing the United Nations briefing on international peace and security, specifically concerning weapons transfers.
During the meeting, Ambassador Persaud championed the need for stringent arms-control measures to prevent further instability and insecurity worldwide.

“The supply of weapons and ammunition in any armed conflict situation risks further escalating or prolonging the violence and presents a significant risk of their diversion to unauthorised end users,” Persaud said.
She reaffirmed Guyana’s deep concern about the increasing flow of arms into conflict areas, which often exacerbates violence and leads to unintended consequences, including the harm to civilian populations.
Guyana’s stance comes amidst ongoing global discussions about the conflict in Ukraine, where the influx of weapons has been a contentious issue.

Ambassador Persaud’s statements come at a time where there is a broader international anxiety over the humanitarian impact of continued hostilities, particularly on women and children.
“Each year we receive increasingly harrowing reports of the detrimental impact of the diversion, illicit trafficking, and proliferation of weapons, especially of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, on entire communities,” she said.
The ambassador also highlighted Guyana’s commitment to international disarmament, referencing the country’s adherence to various international treaties, including the Arms Trade Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Persaud urged all states to ensure that any arms transfers are transparent, conducted within international legal frameworks, and include strict controls to prevent misuse.

Moreover, Guyana’s representative called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, emphasising the necessity of diplomacy and good-faith negotiations.
“We maintain that any lasting solution will not be achieved through military action; it must be done through diplomacy and good-faith negotiations conducted in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter and international law,” Persaud asserted.
The Ambassador’s call for peace was clear and resolute, with a direct appeal to the Russian Federation to withdraw its military forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory.
“We reiterate our call for the parties to the conflict to commit, in good faith, to a serious political and diplomatic process toward ending the conflict. The tragic human toll of the war and its devastating impact on regional stability and international security cannot be overemphasised.

“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 respect the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution,” Ambassador Persaud said.
Guyana’s has long taken a consistent stance on upholding international law and supporting measures that ensure regional stability and international security.