October 2026 Monthly Forecast

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• Overview

  In October, Greece will hold the presidency of the Security Council. Read more

• UN-AU Cooperation: Reflections on the Past Decade and the Way Forward

  October will be an important month for United Nations (UN)-African Union (AU) cooperation. UN Security Council members will hold their annual briefing on this topic, based on the Secretary-General’s report on strengthening the partnership between the UN and the AU on issues of peace and security in Africa, including the work of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU). Read more

• Status Update since our September Forecast

  Status Update since our September Forecast. Read more

• Lebanon 

  In October, Security Council members are expected to receive their semi-annual briefing in closed consultations on the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 1559. Adopted in 2004, the resolution called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon, the disarmament of all militias, and the extension of government control over the whole Lebanese territory. Council members are also likely to continue considering options for possible arrangements after the termination of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to support the continued implementation of resolution 1701, which in 2006 called for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Read more

• Children and Armed Conflict

  In October, the Security Council will hold a briefing on children and armed conflict. The meeting—which Greece is organising as a signature event of its October Council presidency—will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the children and armed conflict mandate by the General Assembly. Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis is expected to chair the meeting. The anticipated briefers are Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Frazier, a UNICEF official, and a civil society representative. Read more

• UN-AU Cooperation

  In October, the Security Council is expected to hold a briefing on cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations, focusing on the African Union (AU). Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the AU and Head of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga and AU Commissioner for Political Affairs and Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye are the anticipated briefers. Read more

• UNDOF (Golan)

  In October, Council members will hold their quarterly consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO) Mohamed Khaled Khiari is expected to brief on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on UNDOF and the most recent developments. Read more

• Sudan

  In October, the Security Council is expected to receive the regular 120-day briefing on the situation in Sudan. During the month, the Security Council is also expected to vote on a draft resolution to extend the 1591 Sudan sanctions regime. Read more

• Western Sahara

  In October, Security Council members will receive a briefing in consultations on the Secretary-General’s annual report on the situation in Western Sahara. Special Representative for Western Sahara and Head of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) Alexander Ivanko and Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura are the anticipated briefers. The Council is also expected to vote on a resolution to renew the mandate of MINURSO, which expires on 31 October. Read more

• Yemen

  In October, the Security Council will hold a 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 the anticipated briefers.  Read more

• Colombia

  In October, 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/2026/759), which was circulated to Council members on 25 September and covers developments since 27 June. The Council is also expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the verification mission’s mandate ahead of its 31 October expiry. Read more

• Great Lakes Region (DRC)

  In October, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, is expected to provide the biannual briefing to the Council on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework (PSC-F) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region. Read more

• Libya

  In October, the Council will hold its 60-day briefing on the situation in Libya. Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Hanna Serwaa Tetteh will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country.   Additionally, the Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of UNSMIL, which expires on 31 October. Read more

• The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

  In October, the Security Council will hold its quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ). Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is expected to chair the meeting, which is taking place during Greece’s Council presidency. The anticipated briefer is Acting Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Ramiz Alakbarov.  Read more

• Central African Republic

  In October, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Special Representative for the Central African Republic (CAR) and Head of MINUSCA Valentine Rugwabiza is expected to brief. Read more

• Kosovo

  In October, the Security Council is expected to hold its second briefing of the year on Kosovo. Special Representative and Head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Peter Due will brief on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest report. Read more

• Syria

  In October, the Security Council is expected to hold its monthly meeting on political and humanitarian developments in Syria. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone, and a representative from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief. Read more

• Iraq-Kuwait (Missing Persons and Property)

  In October, the Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on the Iraq-Kuwait file concerning missing persons and property. Council members will consider the Secretary-General's report on implementation of resolution 2792 of 17 September 2025, due by 30 September. Read more

• Women, Peace and Security

  In October, the Security Council will hold its annual open debate on women, peace and security (WPS). The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, Giorgos Gerapetritis, is expected to chair the open debate, which will be titled “Women, peace and security in the next quarter-century: fulfilling the promise through implementation”. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, and a woman civil society representative are the anticipated briefers. Read more

• Emerging Technologies and Maritime Security

  In October, Greece will convene a high-level briefing on emerging technologies, with an emphasis on maritime security, under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item as a signature event of its Council presidency. Read more

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

  In October, the Security Council will hold its semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The Council is also expected to vote at the end of the month on the reauthorisation of the EU-led multinational stabilisation force (EUFOR ALTHEA) prior to its 31 October expiration. Read more