Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the Security Council meeting on the risks stemming from violation of the agreements regulating the export of weapons and military equipment - April 10th 2023

Let me start by congratulating Mozambique for an impecable presidency during last month. Let me also wish Russia a fruitful and successful presidency during this month of April.

I also would like to thank High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, for her briefing today and her tireless work in the disarmament file.

My Delegation also welcomes the participation in this meeting of Belarus, Indonesia, Poland, South Africa, Mexico, Lebanon and India.

Mister President,

As a party to the Arms Trade Treaty, Brazil abides by the set of principles outlined in that legal instrument. They are binding on States parties to Treaty and they offer a valuable guidelines for arms transfer as a whole.

First, the treaty highlights the importance of “respecting and ensuring respect for international humanitarian law” and for human rights law, regardless of military objectives or security concerns. Secondly, it urges States to “effectively regulate” their arms trade, so as to prevent diversion, through systems of effective national control. These principles should serve the objectives of promoting responsible action in arms trade, building confidence, reducing human suffering and contributing to international and regional peace, security and stability.

Further, Brazil is encouraged by recent efforts in the General Assembly to improve the through-life management of conventional ammunition, such as those in the Open-Ended Working Group on Conventional Ammunition. We have made progress on discussions on ammunition marking and tracing, which should contribute to reducing diversion and improving oversight of use of ammunition in conflict zones. The adoption of a set of political commitments during our next session could consolidate these advances and bring greater stability and predictability to ammunition management.

Mister President,

We last met to discuss the topic of arms transfers last year and, at that time, we regretted that the war in Ukraine had already dragged on for six months. More than six months later, we are back in this Chamber, under a similar topic, while the war continues unabeited, with larger arsenals and growing humanitarian toll.

Brazil strongly believes that the increasing flow of weapons in the conflict in Ukraine will only fuel more violence and will not contribute to ending it.

While arms exports must be subject to strict regulations and guiding principles, let us not lose sight of the forest for the trees: we remain convinced that the there is no alternative to the negotiation of a ceasefire as a first step on the way to solving the present crisis. We must do more than abide by rules that limit damage by weapons in conflict situations. We must engage in proactive diplomacy to wind conflicts down where they exist and to prevent their occurrence where they are likely. That is our primary role at this Council and it is a role we must urgently relearn how to perform.

And I thank you.