Overview
In April, Russia holds the presidency of the Security Council.
Russia is expected to hold two signature events during its presidency. One will be an open debate on “Risks stemming from violations of the agreements regulating the export of weapons and military equipment”. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu may brief. The other will be a ministerial-level open debate, chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on “Effective multilateralism through the defense of the principles of the UN Charter”, which may feature a briefing by the Secretary-General.
Russia also plans to encourage ministerial-level participation in the quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”, which Lavrov is expected to chair. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland is the anticipated briefer.
Several African issues are on the programme in April, including:
- Mali, meeting on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA);
- Western Sahara, meeting on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO);
- Libya, meeting on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the work of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee; and
- Great Lakes Region, meeting on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region.
In addition to the quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, other issues related to the Middle East on the programme this month are:
- Yemen, monthly meeting on developments; and
- Syria, monthly meeting on political and humanitarian issues.
Two issues on the Americas will be on the programme:
- Colombia, meeting on the UN Verification Mission in Colombia; and
- Haiti, meeting on the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
Regarding European issues, there will be a briefing on the work of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
As in past months, there may be one or more meetings on Ukraine in April.
Other issues could be raised during the month, depending on developments.
