Status Update since our March Forecast
Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict
On 2 March, the Security Council held an open briefing titled “Children, technology, and education in conflict” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item (S/PV.10113). US First Lady Melania Trump chaired the meeting, a signature event of the US’ March Council presidency. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed.
Energy, Critical Minerals, and Security
On 5 March, the Security Council held a briefing on “Energy, critical minerals, and security” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item (S/PV. 10114). US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright chaired the meeting, which was one of the signature events of the US presidency. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed.
Myanmar
On 6 March, the Security Council held a private meeting on Myanmar. Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar Julie Bishop briefed via videoconference (VTC) (S/PV/10115). Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro briefed in person in her capacity as the Special Envoy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Chair on Myanmar. The UK, the penholder on the file, requested the meeting to hear an update on the situation in Myanmar.
1540 (Non-proliferation) Committee
On 16 March, the Security Council received the annual update on the work of the 1540 Committee (S/PV.10120). The usual practice is for the Chair of the 1540 Committee to brief Council members on the Committee’s activities. Pending the appointment of the chair, as Council members continue to negotiate this year’s allocation of subsidiary body chairs, the US briefed on the report in its capacity as Council President in March.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
On 17 March, the Security Council held closed consultations on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). France, the penholder on the file, requested the meeting to discuss the escalation of fighting in the eastern DRC, particularly the 11 March drone attack in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, which killed one UNICEF staff member and two other civilians.
On 26 March, the Security Council held an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the situation in the DRC, including the work of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (S/PV.10126). Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Protection and Operations in MONUSCO Vivian van de Perre briefed. Rwanda participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure.
Iran
On 11 March, the Security Council adopted resolution 2817, submitted by Bahrain on behalf of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—as well as Jordan (S/PV.10119). The resolution condemned Iran’s strikes against these countries and determined that they constitute a breach of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security. The text was adopted with 13 votes in favour and two abstentions (China and Russia). It was co-sponsored by 136 UN member states.
The Council subsequently voted on an alternative draft resolution submitted by Russia. In contrast to resolution 2817, it did not name individual countries but more generally “mourn[ed] the tragic loss of life throughout the ongoing hostilities” in the Middle East and urged all parties to immediately stop their military activities and refrain from further escalation (S/2026/159). The draft text failed to be adopted because it did not garner the nine favourable votes required for adoption. It received four votes in favour (China, Russia, Pakistan, and Somalia), two votes against (Latvia and the US), and nine abstentions.
On 12 March, the Security Council held an open briefing on the work of the 1737 Sanctions Committee concerning Iran under the “Non-proliferation” agenda item (S/PV.10120). Prior to the meeting, Russia raised a point of order reiterating its position that “Non-proliferation” had been removed from the Council’s agenda. The Russian representative stated, “We cannot agree to the agenda for today’s meeting proposed by the United States presidency” and “request that the question of holding this meeting be put to a procedural vote”. The US subsequently put the provisional agenda to a vote. The agenda was adopted with 11 votes in favour, two against (China and Russia), and two abstentions (Pakistan and Somalia).
Afghanistan
On 16 March, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2818, extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for three months, until 17 June 2026.
Ukraine
On 23 March, the Security Council held an open briefing on Ukraine (S/PV.10124). The Council’s European members (Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, and the UK) requested the meeting following Ukraine’s 18 March letter, citing recent Russian strikes against the country. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau chaired the meeting, at which Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher briefed.
UNDOF (Golan)
Council members held consultations on the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan on 26 March. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed.
