Overview
In April, France will hold the presidency of the Security Council.
The quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” is expected to be elevated to ministerial level this month. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot is expected to chair the meeting. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is the anticipated briefer. Other meetings on this issue may be convened depending on developments in Israel and Gaza.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi will brief the Security Council in April, focusing on challenges related to forced displacement across the globe.
There will also be an open briefing on the implementation of resolution 2730 of 24 May 2024 on the protection of humanitarian personnel and UN and associated personnel and their premises and assets. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security Gilles Michaud are the anticipated briefers.
Additionally, the Security Council will hold its annual briefing with the heads of military components of UN peacekeeping operations. The anticipated briefers are Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the heads of military components of two UN peacekeeping operations: Force Commander of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes and Head of Mission and Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz.
Other Middle Eastern issues on the programme in April are:
- Yemen, monthly meeting on developments; and
- Syria, monthly meeting on political and humanitarian issues.
Several African issues are on the programme in April, including:
- West Africa and the Sahel, briefing and consultations on the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS);
- Somalia, a private meeting on the situation in the country;
- Western Sahara, consultations on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO);
- South Sudan, briefing and consultations on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the mandate renewal of UNMISS;
- Great Lakes Region, briefing and consultations on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes; and
- Libya, briefing and consultations on the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the work of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee.
Two issues on the Americas are on the programme:
- Colombia, briefing and consultations on developments in the country and the work of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia; and
- Haiti, briefing and consultations on developments in the country, including the work of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
Regarding European issues, a briefing is planned 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.
Other issues could be raised during the month, including Myanmar and Sudan, depending on developments.