Overview
Gabon will hold the presidency of the Council in March.
Gabon is planning a thematic open debate on the impact of small armsin the Central African region; scheduled at press time to be held on 19 March (we will publish a detailed Update Report prior to that date).
Debates are likely on Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and Chad and the Central African Republic.
Several other briefings are expected:
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A periodic briefing by the Chair of the Iran Sanctions Committee (the 1737 Committee);
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A briefing on Côte d’Ivoire (followed by consultations);
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A briefing on the Secretary-General’s first report on the Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau(followed by consultations); and
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The monthly briefing on the Middle East (followed by consultations).
The Council will likely be briefed in consultations on
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Chad and the Central African Republic by the peacekeeping head, Alain le Roy, on his visit to the country at the end of February to discuss issues relating to the MINURCAT mandate;
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the Secretary-General’s report on Liberia, by the Secretary General’s Special Representative, Ellen Margrethe Loj;
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developments in the DRC and MONUC, also by the head of the UN Peacekeeping Department, Alain Le Roy;
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the Secretary-General’s report on Lebanon (resolution 1701) by the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Michael Williams; and
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the work of the Sudanand Somalia Sanctions Committees.
Consultations are also expected on the electoral process in Sudan and possibly, depending on developments, on Iran and Guinea.
Formal sessions to adopt resolutions are expected on:
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the renewal of the mandate of UNAMAin Afghanistan;
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the renewal of the mandate of the Somalia Sanctions Monitoring Group; and
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the future of MINURCAT.
