Guyana urges stronger global action on arms control, warns of AI’s role in modern warfare

– calls for stronger international legal frameworks, political will, and redirection
of military spending towards humanitarian causes

Guyana has issued a compelling call for stronger international cooperation to address the escalating global arms race, warning that rapid technological advancements – particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) and weapons innovation – pose mounting risks to global peace and security.

Speaking during the General Debate of the First Committee of the United Nations
(UN), Minister Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the UN, Neishanta Benn, urged the international community to act decisively to regulate and control the spread of advanced weapons, including nuclear arms, autonomous systems, and emerging technologies that could reshape the future of warfare.
Benn, addressing delegates at the UN’s 80th Session, underscored that while technology has the power to prevent and mitigate crises, it is increasingly being weaponised, making once-unthinkable scenarios disturbingly plausible. “The dual nature of new and emerging technologies presents both profound opportunities and considerable risks for disarmament and non-proliferation efforts,” she stated.
She cautioned that innovations such as hypersonic missiles, AI-powered weapon systems, and the militarisation of outer space have raised the stakes for global security, making it harder to contain escalation during conflicts. This, she said, compounds existing threats posed by the proliferation of nuclear weapons and sophisticated conventional arms.

Caribbean security under threat
Benn also drew attention to the impact of illegal arms proliferation on the Caribbean region, describing it as a “grave threat” to national and regional security. She pointed to the use of polymers, 3D printing, and modular weapon design, which make it increasingly difficult to trace and control the movement of illicit weapons.
“For the Caribbean region, the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, especially small arms and light weapons, represents a serious danger to peace, safety, security, and stability. It fuels organised crime, gang violence, and gender-based violence, undermining hard-won development gains,” she warned.
She urged that these risks be placed at the centre of future multilateral disarmament efforts, emphasising that the international community cannot afford to look away as technologies outpace global regulatory frameworks.

Stronger legal framework
In outlining solutions, Benn emphasised that the global response must be anchored in international law and treaty-based commitments. She reaffirmed Guyana’s support for strengthening existing disarmament frameworks, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Arms Trade Treaty, and the Biological and Chemical Weapons Conventions.
She also called for renewed momentum to bring the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) into force and to universalise the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
“Only through a robust legal framework and a firm collective commitment to implementation can we hope to curb the accelerating arms race and advance the cause of disarmament and non-proliferation,” she said.
Benn further highlighted the importance of civil society engagement and the meaningful participation of women in arms control and disarmament decision-making processes. According to her, the most successful initiatives have emerged from strong partnerships between Governments, experts, and civil society actors.

Redirecting global spending toward peace
Linking military spending to human development, Benn contrasted the staggering US$2.7 trillion spent globally on the military last year with the US$47 billion requested for humanitarian assistance. She noted that redirecting even a fraction of global arms expenditures could provide life-saving support to 190 million people across 72 countries.
“A fraction of current arms spending could significantly improve lives,” she said. “Redirecting resources can address poverty, economic instability, and inequality while reducing the drivers of conflict.”
Further, Benn framed the UN80 Initiative as a critical moment to reinvigorate global disarmament, not just through norm-setting but through firm political will and concrete action. She reminded member states of their obligations under the UN Charter to commit to diplomacy, cooperation, and peace.
“Guyana calls upon the international community to summon the necessary political will to make this transformation and to ensure the responsible application of modern technology so that advancements serve to enhance our security and well-being rather than exacerbate existing risks,” she declared.