In Hindsights
-
On 25 November, the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council issued a joint letter marking the start of the selection and appointment process of the next UN Secretary-General. The joint letter invites member states to present their candidates for the position while also setting out the modalities for submitting and considering nominations. Ten years ago, the selection process was transformed from an opaque, somewhat mysterious process, controlled by the five permanent members, to a more open, transparent one with active involvement of civil society and the General Assembly. Drawing on Security Council Report’s coverage of the last selection and appointment process and our close monitoring of developments on this issue, this month’s In Hindsight provides a guide to the main steps of the process and the potential issues that may arise.
-
The three African members of the UN Security Council, known as the A3, have come of age as a cohesive and influential group, shaping both country-specific and thematic discussions within the UN Security Council. Over the years, they have steadily enhanced their coordination in pursuit of a common African position on the various items on the Council’s agenda. This growing unity is most visibly reflected in their increasingly consistent practice of speaking with one voice—delivering joint statements and presenting unified positions during Council meetings. In addition, the A3 have in recent years organised themselves as a cohesive negotiating bloc with the ability to significantly shape Council outcomes. Both individually and collectively, the A3 have also played an increasingly active role in spearheading Council products on key African priorities, thus enhancing their influence in the Council. This In Hindsight provides a preview of our upcoming research report on the burgeoning role of the A3 in the Security Council.
-
In recent years, the use of force in self-defence has become increasingly contentious. Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognises member states’ right of self-defence against an armed attack, sits at the heart of these debates. This In Hindsight examines some of the differing positions of member states in relation to the scope of the right of self-defence, analyses relevant practice regarding the reporting requirement set out in Article 51 and the implications of that practice, and offers suggestions for improvements in this area.
-
In September, world leaders will converge in New York to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. While this significant milestone is a moment of celebration, the prevailing mood seems to be sombre, as the organisation faces what many regard as an existential crisis. Rising geopolitical tensions among major powers have not allowed the Security Council to effectively address some of the most intractable conflicts of our time. Compounding the situation is a severe financial crisis that threatens to undermine the UN’s ability to deliver on its core mandates—maintaining international peace and security, promoting human rights, and fostering international cooperation to address global challenges.
-
Facing difficult issues, a divided Council will need to find ways to build trust and cooperate to maximise its effectiveness in difficult fiscal circumstances and a fluid international peace and security environment. If it does not, there is a danger that the Council will become increasingly sidelined, and some issues related to the maintenance of international peace and security will move outside of the Council.
-
This In Hindsight analyses the messages and priorities outlined by Council members and other member states during the open debate on children and armed conflict. It also analyses the current challenges facing the agenda and makes recommendations for action, based on findings presented in our latest research report, titled “Children and Armed Conflict: Progression, Regression or Maintenance of the Agenda?”.
-
On 3 June, the 79th session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold elections for membership of the Security Council. The five seats available for election in 2025, according to the regular distribution among regions.
-
The chairs of the Security Council’s subsidiary bodies, which include sanctions committees and working groups, are responsible for several important aspects of the work of these bodies, including chairing meetings, briefing the Council on the work of the relevant subsidiary body, and managing subsidiary body casework, such as listing and delisting requests. At the time of writing, Council members are yet to reach agreement on selecting the chairs of the subsidiary bodies for 2025, which has had an impact on both their work and the Council as a whole. This In Hindsight provides an overview of the process for appointing chairs of subsidiary bodies, discusses how the Council has attempted to manage the current impasse, and describes some of the adverse consequences arising from the delay.
-
This year, peace operations are expected to receive increased attention in the Council, with three elected members—Denmark, Pakistan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK)—forming a “peacekeeping trio” initiative. This month’s In Hindsight explores emerging trends and ongoing reform efforts in UN peace operations amidst shifting and challenging geopolitical dynamics. It also previews upcoming discussions at the 2025 Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin and the review of UN peace operations.
-
On 24 February, the Security Council adopted resolution 2774, a short US-authored text calling for a swift end to the Russia-Ukraine war and urging a lasting peace between the countries. Marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion, it was the first substantive resolution on Ukraine passed by the Council since the war began in February 2022. The resolution underscored a major shift in the geopolitical landscape, highlighting Washington’s evolving approach to the war and exposing fractures among the P3 (France, the UK, and the US). Earlier in the day, the General Assembly voted on competing resolutions—one authored by European Union (EU) member states and another by the US—after the US unexpectedly introduced its own text, omitting references to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, triggering a diplomatic standoff with Kyiv and its European allies. The divisions that emerged during the votes in both the Security Council and the General Assembly could signal a broader realignment in global diplomacy—one that could potentially reshape transatlantic relations, Council dynamics, and the future of international engagement on Ukraine.
-
At the end of January, member states began the formal phase of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR), a process undertaken every five years to strengthen and refine UN peacebuilding efforts worldwide. To kick-start its engagement in this phase, the Security Council, at Algeria’s initiative, adopted a presidential statement on 27 January, reaffirming its commitment to the process.
-
In 2024, the Security Council was confronted with a world beset by multiple crises, including continuing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, severe deterioration in the situation in Sudan, and a sudden shift in the political situation in Syria. Differing strategic interests and irreconcilable world views among the major powers restricted the Council’s ability to fully address these crises. The tensions among the major powers were frequently in evidence in the Council chamber, where members clashed on a range of issues.
-
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.
-
October was a significant month for UN-AU cooperation. This month’s In Hindsight examines the progress and challenges in UN-AU cooperation and offers ideas for charting the way forward.
-
The six years I’ve spent as Security Council Report’s (SCR) Executive Director have been eventful. SCR has observed and documented the Council’s actions on dramatically changing situations including the COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine, and Gaza, and on major policy shifts, such as the UN financing of AU peace support operations. Day in and day out, SCR has interacted with Council members, other member states, regional bodies, the UN Secretariat, academia, and civil society in order to produce impartial, nuanced and fact-checked reports on issues before the Security Council. I feel privileged to have held this position, in which I have learned a great deal. Stepping down, I offer some reflections on the Security Council’s impact on international peace and security.
