Status Update since our November Forecast
Sudan/South Sudan
On 14 November, the Security Council adopted resolution 2802, renewing the mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) until 15 November 2026 (S/PV.10042 and Resumption I). The text received 12 votes in favour and three abstentions (China, Pakistan, and Russia). In extending UNISFA’s mandate for an additional year, the resolution expresses the Council’s intention to “consider further renewal of the mission based on demonstrable progress by Sudan and South Sudan” against a set of benchmarks. It also reaffirms that any decision regarding the mission’s future will remain subject to the Council’s determination.
In their explanations of vote, China, Pakistan, and Russia emphasised UNISFA’s positive contribution to promoting stability in Abyei and reiterated their concern over the linking of the mission’s renewal to the implementation of the benchmarks outlined in the resolution. Guyana, on behalf of the A3 Plus grouping (Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Somalia), voiced similar concerns, referencing “unrealistic benchmarks” and deploring “the persistent erosion of previously agreed language throughout the text”.
Climate, Peace and Security
On 6 November, the Security Council held a briefing on “Climate and security—environmental impact of armed conflict and climate driven security risks” under the “Threats to international peace and security” agenda item (S/PV.10035). The briefers were Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP); Charles C. Jalloh, Professor of Law at the University of Miami and member of the International Law Commission; and Maranatha Dinat of World Relief Haiti, a humanitarian organisation that partners with local churches to strengthen communities.
Hitting the Ground Running: Annual Finnish Workshop for Incoming Members
On 6 and 7 November, the Council’s current and incoming members—Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Latvia, and Liberia—participated in the 23rd annual “Hitting the Ground Running” workshop, which is organised by Finland. Historian and former UN official Thant Myint-U provided the keynote address on the workshop’s first night.
Small Arms and Light Weapons
On 10 November, Sierra Leone convened an open debate on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) as one of the signature events of its November Security Council presidency (S/PV.10037). Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba, chaired the meeting. The briefers were Adedeji Ebo, Officer-in-Charge of the Office for Disarmament Affairs and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; Mohamed ibn Chambas, High Representative for the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative; and Roraima Ana Andriani, Special Representative of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to the European Union.
South Sudan
On 11 November, the Security Council convened an open briefing and closed consultations on the situation in South Sudan and the work of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) (S/PV.10038). Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed on recent developments in the country and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report (S/2025/706) on the mission. UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and Solomon Ayele Dersso, Executive Director of Amani Africa Media and Research Services, also briefed.
International Court of Justice Elections
On 12 November, the General Assembly and the Security Council elected Phoebe Okowa (Kenya) as a Member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), succeeding Judge Abdulqawi A. Yusuf (Somalia), who resigned as a member of the Court, effective 30 September. Okowa will hold office for the remainder of her predecessor’s term, which was due to expire on 5 February 2027.
Central African Republic
On 13 November, the Security Council adopted resolution 2800, extending the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) for one year, until 15 November 2026, with 14 votes in favour and one abstention (the US) (S/PV.10041). In its explanation of vote, the US expressed reservations about the one-year extension, noting its preference for a six-month renewal that would use the national elections as a key milestone for adjusting the mission’s mandate. It also expressed a preference for a larger reduction in troop levels in light of progress made in the Central African Republic (CAR) and emphasised the need to establish a more realistic budget for the mission in the context of ongoing reform efforts and the UN liquidity crisis.
Working Methods
On 14 November, the Security Council convened for its annual open debate on working methods (S/PV.10043). The meeting was held under the agenda item “Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2024/507)”, referring to the most recent version of the comprehensive compendium of Council working methods adopted in December 2024, which is also known as Note 507. The briefers were Co-Chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG) Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen (Denmark), Executive Director of Security Council Report Shamala Kandiah Thompson, and Co-Author of “The Procedure of the UN Security Council” (4th Edition) Loraine Sievers. Pakistan delivered a joint statement on behalf of the elected members (E10). The Accountability, Coherence and Transparency Group (ACT) and the Nordic group also delivered joint statements. 41 member states participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure.
Conflict and Food Insecurity
On 17 November, the Security Council held a high-level open debate titled “Framing the Global Dialogue: Addressing Food Insecurity as a Driver of Conflict and Ensuring Food Security for Sustainable Peace” under the “Threats to international peace and security” agenda item (S/PV.10045 and Resumption I). Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio chaired the open debate, which was a signature event of the Sierra Leonean presidency. Deputy Secretary-General and Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group Amina J. Mohammed; Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Musya; Special Envoy for Food Systems of the African Union (AU) Ibrahim Assane Mayaki; and Chief Economist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Maximo Torero Cullen briefed at the open debate. Around 70 member states participated in the open debate.
Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
On 17 November, the Security Council adopted resolution 2803, welcoming the establishment of a Board of Peace (BoP) and authorising the BoP to establish a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. The resolution received 13 votes in favour and two abstentions (China and Russia) (S/PV.10046).
On 24 November, the Security Council held its regular monthly briefing on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ) (S/PV.10051). The briefer was Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). Israel and the Observer State of Palestine at the UN participated in the meeting.
UN Peacekeeping
On 18 November, Security Council members held closed consultations on UN Peacekeeping Operations. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed Council members on the contingency measures being implemented by UN peacekeeping missions funded by the peacekeeping budget to address the UN’s liquidity crisis, resulting from member states’ failure to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time.
Lebanon
On 20 November, Security Council members received a briefing in consultations on the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 1701 (S/2025/738). Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert briefed.
“Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers” Arria-formula Meeting
On 21 November, an Arria-formula meeting on “Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers” was held in Conference Room 4 at UN headquarters. Greece and non-Council members India and the Philippines organised the meeting. Denmark and Panama co-sponsored the meeting with non-Council members Japan and Romania. Ambassador Aglaia Balta (Greece) provided opening remarks, and Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez made welcoming remarks. The briefers included: Captain Antonios Doumanis, Seafarers’ Labour Director at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy of Greece; Emmanuel Donato Guzman, Office of Maritime and Ocean Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines; Dr. Bimal N. Patel, member of the International Law Commission and Professor of International Law at Rashtriya University in India; and Captain Eleni Papadopoulou, General Secretary-Masters and Mates Union of the Greek Merchant Marine.
Ukraine
On 20 November, the Security Council held an open briefing on Ukraine (S/PV.10050). Council members Denmark, France, Greece, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Slovenia, and the UK requested the meeting, citing rising numbers of civilian casualties in Ukraine, ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure in the country, and the need for a ceasefire. The briefers were Kayoko Gotoh, the Officer-in-Charge of the Europe, Central Asia and Americas Division at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), and Edem Wosornu, the Director of the Operations and Advocacy Division at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Peacebuilding
On 26 November, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2805 (S/PV.10054) and the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution A/80/L.15 on the 2025 review of the UN peacebuilding architecture. Although the practice in the Security Council for previous such resolutions was for delegations not to speak after the adoption, the US asked to take the floor to deliver an explanation of vote. In its statement, the US called for a “back to basics” approach that keeps peacebuilding disciplined, strategic, and firmly anchored in advancing peace, without creating new mechanisms that could undermine or circumvent the Security Council’s authority. In the General Assembly, the adoption was followed by explanations by member states. Egypt took the floor first to describe the consultative and participatory process that it co-facilitated with Slovenia. Ten interventions followed—from Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Switzerland, Russia, and the UK—with all expressing support for effective implementation of the twin resolutions that maximises efficiency and impact.
Some member states, particularly Australia, Denmark, and Norway, regretted the absence of references to climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals. These members also noted that they would have wished to see stronger language on the role of civil society and the need for human rights-based peacebuilding approaches, as well as clearer commitments to adequate, predictable, and sustained peacebuilding financing. Russia emphasised that preventing conflict is primarily the responsibility of member states, grounded in the principles of national leadership and ownership.
Visiting Mission to Lebanon and Syria
In November, Council members agreed to the terms of reference (TORs) for a visiting mission to Lebanon and Syria. The visit is expected to take place in early December.
