December 2024 Monthly Forecast

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• Overview     

  In December, the US will hold the presidency of the Security Council.      Read more

• In Hindsight: The Financing of AU-led Peace Support Operations: What Next?

  The 21 December marks one year since the adoption of resolution 2719, through which the Council authorised support for African Union-led peace support operations (AUPSOs) from UN assessed contributions on a case-by-case basis. The adoption of this landmark resolution is widely regarded as a significant milestone in UN-AU cooperation. Discussions within the Council on this issue have gained momentum, particularly regarding potential test cases to be considered under resolution 2719. This In Hindsight examines the prospects and challenges in this regard and anticipates what lies ahead. Read more

• Status Update since our November Forecast  

  The Status Update since our November Forecast Read more

• Syria

  In December, the Council expects to hold two meetings on Syria: one on political and humanitarian issues and another on the chemical weapons track. Read more

• Women, Peace and Security

  On 3 December, the Security Council will hold an open briefing titled “Investing in the Transformative Power of Intergenerational Leadership on Women, Peace and Security” (WPS). This is one of the signature events of the US’ December presidency. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and one or more civil society representatives are the anticipated briefers. No outcome is expected. Read more

• Ukraine

  In December, the US is expected to convene a meeting on Ukraine. Additional meetings on Ukraine are possible, depending on developments on the ground. Read more

• Iraq

  In December, the Security Council will hold an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the situation in Iraq. Special Representative and Head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Mohamed Al Hassan will brief the Council on recent developments in the country and the Secretary-General’s most recent reports on UNAMI and the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-party nationals and missing Kuwaiti property.    Read more

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

  In December, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The anticipated briefer is Bintou Keita, the Special Representative and Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Read more

• International Criminal Tribunals  

  In December, the Security Council is scheduled to hold its semi-annual debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT). The President of the IRMCT, Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, and the Chief Prosecutor of the IRMCT, Serge Brammertz, are expected to brief during the debate and to meet with the Informal Working Group on International Tribunals prior to that.   Read more

• Yemen

  In December, the Security Council will hold its monthly meeting on Yemen. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and a representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief. Read more

• Sudan

  In December, Ambassador Joonkook Hwang (the Republic of Korea), the chair of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee, is expected to brief the Council on the committee’s work.   At press time, a meeting on the situation in Sudan more broadly is possible. Read more

• Somalia

  In December, the Security Council is expected to renew the 2713 Al-Shabaab sanctions regime, including the provision for maritime interdiction, which expires on 15 December. In addition, the Council will decide on the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 2713 Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee, which expires on 15 January 2025.   The Council is also expected to decide on the successor mission to the African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), whose mandate expires on 31 December. In line with resolution 2748 of 15 August, which most recently extended ATMIS’ mandate, the Secretary-General, jointly with the AU Commission Chairperson, submitted his report on the overall design of the follow-on mission and a range of options for financing it, on 26 November. In a 13 November letter, the Secretary-General requested additional time to finalise consultations on the report, which was due by 15 November. Responding to this, the Council extended the deadline until 30 November.   Read more

• Afghanistan

  In December, the Security Council will convene for its quarterly open briefing on Afghanistan. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva; Ambassador Andrés Montalvo Sosa (Ecuador) in his capacity as the chair of the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee; an official from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); and a representative of civil society are expected to brief. Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the briefing. Read more

• UNDOF (Golan)

  In December, the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which expires on 31 December. Ahead of the mandate renewal, an official from the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) is expected to brief Council members in closed consultations on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on UNDOF, due on 2 December, and the most recent developments. Read more

• UNOCA (Central Africa) 

  In December, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-General’s semi-annual report on the UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) and the implementation of the UN’s regional strategy to combat the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Special Representative and Head of UNOCA Abdou Abarry is expected to brief. The mandate of UNOCA expires on 31 August 2027. Read more

• Briefing by the Outgoing Chairs of the Security Council’s Subsidiary Bodies

  As is customary in December, the outgoing chairs of the Council’s subsidiary bodies are expected to provide a briefing on their experiences. Read more

• Libya

  In December, the Security Council will hold its bimonthly briefing on the situation in Libya. Deputy Special Representative and Political Officer in Charge of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Koury will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and on the Secretary-General’s most recent report on UNSMIL. Read more

• Iran

  In December, the Security Council is expected to convene a briefing on the Secretary-General’s biannual report on the implementation of resolution 2231 of 20 July 2015, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme.    Read more

• West Africa and the Sahel

  In December, the Security Council will hold its biannual briefing on West Africa and the Sahel. The Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, is expected to brief. Read more