Overview
Early in Egypt’s presidency of the Security Council in May, there will be a briefing by the ICRC and Médecins Sans Frontières on protection of civilians with a focus on health care in armed conflict. The Council is expected to adopt a resolution on the issue.
Egypt is also organising two open debates, one on the issue of counter-terrorism and another with a focus on AU-UN peace and security cooperation. Prior to the latter, Council members will hold their annual joint meeting with the AU Peace and Security Council.
Egypt is also planning a visiting Council mission to Somalia with other possible stops in Africa. Somalia will be a feature of the Council’s work this month with a briefing on UNSOM activities and the renewal of the AU peacekeeping operation AMISOM.
Other African issues the Council will consider are:
- Liberia, action on the 1521 sanctions regime prior to its expiry on 2 June;
- Libya, the semi-annual briefing by the ICC Prosecutor; and
- Sudan/South Sudan, the quarterly consultations on Sudan/South Sudan issues, the renewal of UNISFA in Abyei, the renewal of the 2206 South Sudan sanctions and the quarterly briefing by the chair of the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee.
Council members will continue to monitor closely developments on the Syria political and humanitarian tracks and the Yemen peace talks. In addition, the Council may reach agreement on a draft resolution circulated by China and Russia in mid-April addressing the use of chemical weapons by non-state actors, focused on Syria, Iraq and Libya.
Other Middle East issues that will be considered this month are:
- Israel/Palestine, the regular monthly briefing;
- Iraq, the quarterly briefing on UNAMI; and
- Lebanon, the semi-annual consideration of resolution 1559 on the disarmament of militias and the extension of government control over Lebanese territory.
Regarding European issues, the Council will hold its regular meetings on UNMIK in Kosovo as well as consider the report of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. There will also be an informal meeting between Council members and the members of the EU Peace and Security Committee.
There will also be a joint briefing by the Council’s counter-terrorism committees.
The chair of the 1718 Sanctions Committee will provide the quarterly briefing on the DPRK.
Additionally, Council members will attend a retreat with the Secretary-General, and an informal interactive dialogue with force commanders of several peace operations.
The Council will also be closely following developments in Burundi, Guinea-Bissau and Yemen in May.
