Status Update since our July Forecast
Women, Peace and Security
On 8 and 10 July, the Security Council convened for its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence, which this year was titled “Honouring the promise of international law to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence” (S/PV.10190 and Resumption I and II). Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten and the Founder and Director of the Haitian Women’s Collective, Carine Jocelyn, briefed.
Ukraine
On 9 July, the Security Council held an open briefing on Ukraine (S/PV.10191). The meeting was requested by Ukraine in a 6 July letter and supported by the Council’s European members (Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, and the UK). Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Indrika Ratwatte briefed.
On 17 July, Russia convened an Arria-formula meeting titled “The Reign of Terror: Crimes of the Kiev Regime in Ukraine and Beyond”. According to the concept note circulated by Russia, the objective of the meeting was to raise awareness of alleged breaches of Ukraine’s international human rights obligations. Opening remarks were provided by Russia’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN Anna Evstigneeva, while the briefers included the following journalists and publicists: Pavel Volkov, Alexander Semchenko, Ruslan Kalinchuk, and Ekaterina Arkalova.
The Council held another briefing on Ukraine on 27 July (S/PV.10202). The meeting was requested by Ukraine in a 20 July letter and supported by the Council’s European members. Kayoko Gotoh, Director and Officer in Charge for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas in the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO), and the Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Indrika Ratwatte, briefed the Council.
Iran
On 10 July, the Security Council held a briefing (S/PV.10192) under the “Non-Proliferation” agenda item to discuss the implementation of resolution 2231 of 20 July 2015, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear programme. The meeting was requested by Bahrain and the Council’s European members (Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, and the UK). Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo briefed on the Secretary-General’s most recent biannual report on the implementation of resolution 2231, dated 19 June. Prior to the meeting, Russia, supported by China, requested a procedural vote on the adoption of the agenda. It was subsequently adopted with 11 votes in favour, two against (China and Russia), and two abstentions (Pakistan and Somalia).
West Africa and the Sahel
On 14 July, the Security Council held an open briefing (S/PV.10195) on West Africa and the Sahel. Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) Leonardo Santos Simão briefed on the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2026/537), which was circulated to Council members on 30 June and covered developments from 29 November 2025 to 30 June. Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. Closed consultations followed the briefing.
Colombia
On 15 July, the Security Council held its quarterly open briefing on Colombia (S/PV.10196). Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Miroslav Jenča briefed on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission (S/2026/528).
Sudan
On 15 July, the Council held its semi-annual briefing on the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s Darfur-related activities (S/PV.10197). ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan briefed. Sudan participated in the meeting under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure.
Lebanon
On 16 July, Security Council members received a briefing in consultations on the latest report on the implementation of resolution 1701 (S/2026/566). Jean Arnault, the Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed.
Cyprus
On 16 July, Council members held closed consultations on the situation in Cyprus. Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Khassim Diagne briefed Council members, presenting the Secretary-General’s report on UNFICYP (S/2026/550) and on his good offices in Cyprus (S/2026/551).
Haiti
On 20 July, the Security Council held its quarterly open briefing on Haiti (S/PV.10198). The briefers were: Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) Jack Christofides, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Monica Juma, and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Frazier. Closed consultations followed the open briefing. Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) Daniela Kroslak briefed Council members during the closed consultations.
Conflict Prevention and Peaceful Resolution of Disputes
On 23 July, the Security Council held an open debate titled “Strengthening the mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes: follow-up to resolution 2788 (2025)” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item (S/PV.10201). The meeting was convened by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Council president for July, to review the implementation of resolution 2788 one year after its adoption. Secretary-General António Guterres briefed, outlining recommendations to strengthen the use of the UN Charter’s Chapter VI tools for the peaceful settlement of disputes, including preventive diplomacy, mediation, fact-finding, the Secretary-General’s good offices, cooperation with regional organisations, and the meaningful participation of women and youth in peace processes. Council members and the wider UN membership discussed ways to ensure earlier and more systematic use of the UN Charter’s Chapter VI mechanisms. While some speakers called for a more proactive role for the Council and the Secretariat in conflict prevention and early warning, others stressed that efforts to settle disputes peacefully must respect state sovereignty and be undertaken with the consent of the parties.
Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
On 28 July, the Security Council held its quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (S/PV.10203 and Resumption I). The briefer was Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Ramiz Alakbarov. In addition to Council members, over 40 UN member states and regional organisations participated in the meeting.
UNRCCA (Central Asia)
On 29 July, Security Council members convened closed consultations to receive the biannual briefing on the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA). Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNRCCA Kaha Imnadze briefed.