January 2026 Monthly Forecast

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• Overview  

  In January 2026, Somalia will hold the presidency of the Security Council.   Read more

• In Hindsight: The Security Council in 2025 and the Year Ahead

  In 2025, deep divisions in the Security Council continued to limit its ability to respond effectively to major security crises. While notable resolutions were adopted on Gaza and Haiti, implementation remains challenging, and the Council struggled to influence entrenched conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar. Shifting geopolitical dynamics, an unusually high number of unexpected crises, and persistent paralysis defined much of the year—though rare unity on Syria offered a moment of cautious optimism. In 2026, the Council faces a demanding agenda, including decisions on the future of peace operations, the implementation of key resolutions, the impact of the UN’s liquidity crisis, and the selection of the next Secretary-General—pointing to a year of both significant challenges and critical choices. Read more

• Status Update since our December Forecast

  This is the Status Update since our December Forecast. Read more

• Syria

  In January, the Security Council is expected to hold two meetings on Syria: one on political and humanitarian issues, and another on the chemical weapons track. Read more

• Yemen

  In January, the Security Council will hold its monthly briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and an official from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief on political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country. The Council is also expected to renew the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), which expires on 28 January, and the monthly reporting requirement on Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, originally mandated by Security Council resolution 2722, which expires on 15 January. Read more

• Cyprus

  In January, the Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) ahead of its 31 January 2026 expiry. Earlier in the month, Security Council members are expected to receive a briefing in consultations on the situation in Cyprus by Special Representative and Head of UNFICYP Khassim Diagne. Read more

• Haiti

  In January, the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) prior to its expiration on 31 January. The Council is also expected to hold its 90-day briefing on the situation in Haiti. Special Representative and Head of BINUH Carlos Ruiz Massieu is expected to brief the Council on recent developments in the country and on the Secretary-General’s latest report on BINUH. Closed consultations are expected to follow the briefing. Read more

• Colombia  

  In January 2026, the Security Council is expected to hold its quarterly meeting on Colombia. Special Representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Miroslav Jenča will brief on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission (S/2025/849), which was circulated to Council members on 26 December 2025 and covers the period from 27 September 2025. Read more

• Rule of Law

  In January, Somalia is organising an open debate on “Reaffirming international rule of law: pathways to reinvigorating peace, justice, and multilateralism” under the “Promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. Secretary-General António Guterres, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Abdulqawi Yusuf are possible briefers. The meeting will be the signature event of Somalia’s presidency. Read more

• The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

  In January, the Security Council will hold its quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ). Somalia—the Council president for January—intends to convene the meeting as a ministerial-level signature event. Read more

• UNRCCA (Central Asia)

  In January, Kaha Imnadze, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), is expected to brief Security Council members on the UNRCCA’s work in closed consultations. Read more