December 2019 Monthly Forecast

Overview        

The US has the presidency in December. The programme of work largely focuses on regular briefings and mandate renewals.

Two African regions feature on the programme of work. There will be a briefing on inter-communal violence and terrorism in West Africa by Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Mohammed Ibn Chambas. The UNOWAS mandate is also expected to be renewed for an additional three years before the end of the month, through an exchange of letters between the Secretary-General and the president of the Security Council. The Council is also expected to focus on Central Africa, with a briefing and consultations scheduled on the semi-annual report on the UN Office for Central Africa and the implementation of the UN regional strategy to combat the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Other African issues include:

Regarding Syria, there will be the regular briefings on the political and humanitarian situation and on chemical weapons. In addition, Council members are expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the authorisation for cross-border and cross-line humanitarian access, which expires on 10 January 2020.

Other Middle East issues include:

Regarding Asian issues, the quarterly meeting on Afghanistan is expected. A meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK is also possible.

The only debate scheduled for December is the semi-annual debate on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

There will also be the annual briefing by outgoing subsidiary body chairs, reviewing their experience and developments during their term as chairs of committees or working groups.

 

Subscribe to receive SCR publications