The British Ambassador to the United Nations, Barbara Woodward, has called for a halt to arms and fuel exports to Myanmar’s military. Speaking to reporters after a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council on Myanmar on September 19, Ambassador Woodward stated that such action is necessary to protect civilians and increase humanitarian aid to the country.
“We would like to see the Security Council take action to stop arms and fuel exports to the Myanmar military, to protect civilians, increase humanitarian assistance—including food and health aid—and provide shelter for those displaced by the fighting and those affected by Typhoon Yagi,” she said.
Ambassador Woodward highlighted the escalation in violence by the military, which seized power in 2021, noting an increase in airstrikes against civilians in recent months.
While the majority of member states support action, she acknowledged that a few, including one or two key nations, remain opposed. On Thursday, the Security Council discussed the ongoing impact of the conflict on the people of Myanmar, but she indicated that more debate is needed in future sessions.
Resolution 2669 on Myanmar was adopted on December 22, 2022, and discussions are underway for a new resolution. However, some member states are in favor of monitoring ASEAN’s approach to the crisis.
Ambassador Woodward emphasized that the new resolution would support the efforts of the recently appointed UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, also support ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, and aims to collaborate closely with ASEAN to address the crisis.
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