UNSC Briefing on Threats to international Peace and Security (TIPS) of Ukraine

Bismark Anyanah
Minister Counsellor/ Deputy Political Coordinator
Permanent Mission of Ghana
Security Council Chamber
United Nations, New York
August 17 2023

Madam President,
I thank High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. We have also taken note of the remarks of Mr. Danny Haiphong. The consequences of war are grave and it is in that regard that the Charter of this Organisation has clearly proscribed the use of force or threat of force in State relations except in the limited instance when it is necessary for self-defence or required under the mechanisms of collective security. As we know, Ukraine did not start the present war and has no choice in stopping hostilities or withdrawing its troops. It has a duty and a legitimate right to defend its territorial integrity, political independence and sovereignty.

Madam President,
As expected in any conflict setting, arms proliferate. The aggression against Ukraine is not an exception and it is in this context that we reiterate the importance of the Russian Federation heeding the many calls made across different parts of the world for it to withdraw its troops from the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.

The negative impact that the proliferation of arms poses to international peace and security affects different parts of the world with civilian populations bearing the greatest brunt, including loss of lives and displacement of thousands of men, women and children whose only chance of survival is to escape and seek refuge elsewhere under deplorable conditions.

We emphasise the need to respect the regime of arms control aimed at preventing the diversion of arms and regulating international arms trade. Adherence by States to their obligations under these global arrangements such as the Arms Trade Treaty, the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, and the European Common Position on Arms Export as well as national regulations, can help mitigate illegal proliferation.

Madam President,
We re-emphasise the point we have consistently made that the continuation of the war is not the solution to achieving the desires of the parties and strongly urge the cessation of hostilities and the resort to dialogue and diplomacy, to agree on a political and just settlement, on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations and the tenets of international law.

We reiterate our call on the parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights laws and to ensure that their military actions do not harm civilians and civilian infrastructure.

With the myriad of challenges facing the world at the present moment, the Russian war against Ukraine adds another painful layer on prevailing global hardships. We re-emphasize the importance of ending this unjustified war as a matter of urgency by the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Russian Federation troops from the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine.

I thank you.