Overview
In March, Denmark will hold the presidency of the Security Council.
Denmark is expected to organise one signature event, an open debate on “Ensuring adaptability in UN Peace Operations” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, is expected to chair the meeting. The briefers may include Secretary-General António Guterres and a civil society representative.
In March, the Security Council will hold its annual meeting on strengthening cooperation between the UN and the European Union (EU) under the agenda item “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security”. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas will brief.
African issues on the programme of work this month include:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), briefing and consultations on the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with possible additional meetings depending on developments in eastern DRC; and
- Sudan, briefing on the 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee.
Several Middle Eastern issues will be discussed, including:
- Syria, meetings on the political and humanitarian situations and on the chemical weapons track;
- Yemen, monthly meeting on developments;
- “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”, monthly meeting on developments, briefing from Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator (SHRC) for Gaza Sigrid Kaag in line with resolution 2720 of 22 December 2023, and possible additional meetings depending on developments in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT);
- Lebanon, consultations on the implementation of resolution 1701, which was adopted in 2006 and called for a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel; and
- Golan, consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
Afghanistan is the only Asian issue on the programme in March. The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and hold its quarterly meeting on the situation in the country.
While Haiti was not on the programme at the time of writing, the Council is expected to consider the Secretary-General’s 24 February letter containing a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Haiti and his strategic recommendations on the full range of options for UN support for the country.
Regarding non-proliferation issues, the chair of the 1540 Committee is expected to brief the Council about the committee’s activities. (Adopted in 2004, resolution 1540 aims to prevent non-state actors from obtaining access to weapons of mass destruction.)
As in past months, there are likely to be one or more meetings on Ukraine in March.
Meetings on other issues are possible, depending on developments.
