March 2015 Monthly Forecast

• Overview

  France will hold the presidency of the Security Council in March. Read more

• Status Update

  Recent developments on situations covered in this Forecast are in the relevant briefs. Interesting developments on other issues are included in this Status Update of Security Council activity in February 2015. Read more

• Notable Dates for March

  Notable Dates for March Read more

• Libya

  In March, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Bernardino León, the Special Representative and head of UNSMIL, is expected to brief on developments and the Secretary-General’s latest report. The Council will also likely renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, and expects a briefing by its chair, Ambassador Hussein Haniff (Malaysia). Read more

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

  In March, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of MONUSCO, including its intervention brigade, which expires on 31 March 2015. Read more

• Afghanistan

  In March, the Council will hold its quarterly debate on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA, is expected to brief. The Council also plans to renew UNAMA’s mandate, which expires on 17 March.  Read more

• Ukraine

  As in previous months, the Council is likely to follow the events in Ukraine closely. At press time no specific meetings were planned but, depending on the developments on the ground, it is possible Council members may decide to hold briefings or other types of meetings.  Read more

• Syria

  Council members expect to receive their regular monthly briefings on the chemical weapons and humanitarian tracks.At press time, Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura was in Damascus for further discussions on a possible cessation of hostilities in Aleppo. It was unclear whether he would report back to Council members in March. Read more

• UNDOF (Golan)

  DPKO will brief Council members in consultations on UNDOF, a report on the mission’s activities is due on 18 March. Read more

• Haiti

  In March the Security Council is due to hold its semi-annual debate on Haiti, with a briefing by the Special Representative and head of mission, Sandra Honoré. The Council is expecting a report from the Secretary-General on the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in early March.  Read more

• Children and Armed Conflict

  In March the Council will hold an open debate on children and armed conflict. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, will brief, along with representatives from UNICEF and the NGO community. Other actors from the field, including possibly a child victim of a non-state armed group, may also participate.  Read more

• Lebanon

  In March, newly appointed Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag will brief Council members in consultations on the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 1701, which called for a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. Kaag’s briefing is likely to include an update on investigations into the 28 January death of a peacekeeper serving in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Read more

• Sudan and South Sudan

  In March, Council members will hold their quarterly meeting on implementation of resolution 2046 on Sudan-South Sudan relations, as outlined in a 21 August 2014 presidential note. At press time, no outcome was anticipated on this issue during the month. Read more

• Sudan (Darfur)

  In March, the Council will consider two reports on the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), both were expected to be released before the end of February. These are the quarterly report on UNAMID and a special report that analyses the implementation of the strategic review of the mission conducted last year and includes “recommendations for the future mandate, composition, configuration and exit strategy of UNAMID” per resolution 2173 of 27 August 2014.  Read more

• DPRK (North Korea)

  In March, the Council is due to renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1718 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee. The Committee is expected to continue its consideration of the Panel of Experts’ final report under resolution 2141. Read more

• Iran

  In March, the chair of the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Román Oyarzun (Spain), is due to brief the Council on the work of the Committee. This will be Oyarzun’s first briefing since taking over the chairmanship from Ambassador Gary Quinlan (Australia) on 1 January. Read more

• Liberia

  In March, the Council is expected to receive a briefing from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), assessing the impact of Ebola on stability in Liberia and presenting options for resuming the drawdown of UNMIL. Read more

• Visiting Mission to Africa

  Council members are set to visit the Central African Republic (CAR); Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and Burundi over a four-day period in March. A briefing about the mission is expected later in the month with a written report to follow. Read more

• EU-UN Cooperation

  In March the Council is expected to hold a meeting on cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organisations, focusing on strengthening the partnership with the EU. Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will brief the Council. Read more