NEW YORK, USA — Liberia has renewed its support for international measures to regulate conventional weapons, prevent illicit arms trafficking, and strengthen global efforts to reduce the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
The country’s position was presented on October 24, 2026, by Ambassador Baba Sillah, Liberia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, during the conventional weapons debate of the First Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the Liberian government, Ambassador Sillah expressed support for draft resolutions seeking to improve implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and strengthen international cooperation to prevent weapons from entering unauthorized markets.
He underscored the importance of effective arms regulation and coordinated action among countries to address the illegal transfer and misuse of conventional weapons, which continue to pose challenges to international peace and security.
Liberia also highlighted its interest in advancing global ammunition management, particularly ahead of the 2027 First Meeting of States under the Global Framework for Through-Life Conventional Ammunition Management.
On anti-personnel landmines, Ambassador Sillah reaffirmed the country’s commitments under the Mine Ban Convention, emphasizing Liberia’s support for international humanitarian principles and efforts to prohibit these weapons.
The Liberian delegation further stressed the need for comprehensive data collection to better understand how armed violence affects different groups, including men, women, girls, and boys.
Ambassador Sillah noted that reliable, evidence-based statistics are essential for developing effective arms control policies and ensuring that responses reflect the different experiences of affected communities. Such information can also help governments and international partners direct interventions toward vulnerable populations and areas most affected by armed violence.
He called for continued cooperation between countries that export conventional weapons and those affected by illicit arms flows, emphasizing the importance of stronger regulatory systems and shared responsibility in addressing the problem.
Liberia’s participation in the UN General Assembly First Committee reflects its support for multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation in confronting illicit weapons trafficking and promoting responsible arms management.
The country’s position reinforces the importance of coordinated global action to prevent the diversion of weapons, strengthen accountability, and advance sustainable peace and security.
