MONROVIA – Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to international peace, security, and conventional arms control, expressing support for draft resolutions aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and combating the illicit trade and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
By: Gegee Brima – alhajigegeebrima@gmail.com
Liberia’s position was delivered on October 24, 2026, by its Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Baba Sillah, during the thematic debate on conventional weapons under Cluster 4 of the First Committee of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Speaking on behalf of the Liberian government, Ambassador Sillah highlighted the importance of strengthening international arms regulations, preventing the diversion of conventional weapons into illicit markets, and enhancing measures to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons.
He also underscored Liberia’s continued engagement with international security frameworks, noting the country’s anticipation of the First Meeting of States on the Global Framework for Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management, scheduled for 2027.
Ambassador Sillah further reaffirmed Liberia’s obligations under the Mine Ban Convention, emphasizing the country’s commitment to international humanitarian standards and global efforts to prohibit anti-personnel landmines.
A key element of Liberia’s statement was the need for comprehensive and systematic data collection to assess the varying effects of armed violence on men, women, girls, and boys.
Ambassador Sillah stressed that reliable, evidence-based statistics are essential for developing effective arms control policies that account for the distinct experiences of affected populations, particularly vulnerable groups.
He noted that such information is critical to ensuring that international interventions are appropriately targeted and responsive to the realities of armed violence.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Sillah reaffirmed Liberia’s readiness to work with conventional arms-exporting countries and states affected by illicit weapons flows to strengthen international regulatory frameworks and advance collective efforts toward lasting peace and security.
Liberia’s participation in the UN General Assembly First Committee reflects its continued support for multilateral diplomacy, international cooperation, and coordinated action to address illicit arms trafficking and the misuse of conventional weapons.
