The UN disarmament chief: Beyond the supply of weapons, we must focus on how they are used
"These concerns must be taken with due consideration, and the international community has some instruments, such as the UN Register of Conventional Arms, to improve transparency in arms transfers," UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu stressed to the Security Council at a session devoted to threats to international peace and security.
"I encourage states to make use of these mechanisms," Nakamitsu said.
The High Representative underlined the fact that it is public knowledge that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, Ukraine has received weapons systems and ammunition for its defence forces from a number of states.
"Information on deliveries of such materiel has been widely disseminated by the governments involved," she said, adding that arms transfers have included heavy conventional weaponry such as battle tanks, armoured combat vehicles, large calibre artillery systems and unmanned aerial combat vehicles, as well as small arms and light weapons.
The senior UN official further said that there have also been many independently verified reports of the delivery of major conventional weapons systems to local armed groups in Ukraine, including artillery rocket systems.
Given the devastating impact of heavy weaponry on the Ukrainian population and civilian infrastructure, Nakamitsu stressed that beyond the issue of supply, the Security Council should focus on how these weapons are being used.
"The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has recorded 13,917 verified civilian casualties since 24 February. The actual numbers are believed to be significantly higher," she said.
Most of the recorded civilian casualties were caused by wide-range explosive weapons, including heavy artillery strikes, multiple-launch rocket systems, missiles and aircraft.
The UN disarmament official countered Secretary-General António Guterres' position on the serious humanitarian impact of explosive weapons in populated areas.
"Under international humanitarian law, fighting forces must not directly attack civilians or civilian infrastructure and must take all feasible precautions in the conduct of military operations to avoid, or at least minimise, incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects," she reminded ambassadors at the Council.
Finally, Nakamitsu reiterated her call for an end to this conflict and an end to the suffering caused by heavy conventional weapons.
"We have witnessed tremendous devastation, with thousands of civilians killed and wounded, mostly as a result of the use of heavy conventional weapons," she said.
"The time has come to put an end to this suffering. Let us resolve to continue to work for peace in accordance with international law and the UN Charter," the UN disarmament chief concluded.