May 2008 Monthly Forecast

• Counter-Terrorism: Briefings to the Council

  Twice a year the Council is briefed by the chairs of its three counter-terrorism committees. The next briefing is expected on 6 May when the chairs of the Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee (the 1267 Committee), the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC, established under resolution 1373) and the 1540 Committee (non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction) will address the Council. The joint briefings started in April 2005 and usually include a debate extended to all UN member states. No formal outcome is expected. Read more

• Nepal

  A briefing by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Nepal and head of the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Ian Martin, is expected in early May. A key issue will be the UNMIN’s future activities. (Resolution 1796 extended UNMIN until 23 July 2008.) Read more

• Notable Dates

  Notable dates for May 2008. Read more

• Status Udpate

  Status Update of Security Council Activity in April 2008. Read more

• Aide Memoire

  Important matters pending for the Council include: The Secretariat is still to respond to the Council’s 21 November 2007 letter (S/2007/680), requesting monthly updates on the process of closing down of UNMOVIC as well as a briefing on steps the... Read more

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

  In mid-May, the Council is expected to be briefed by the High Representative for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Miroslav Lajcak of Slovakia. His latest report is expected in early May. These regular reports are in accordance with annex 10 of the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement and the conclusions of the London Peace Implementation Conference of 1995. Read more

• Protection of Civilians

  In May the Council is expected to hold an open debate on protection of civilians in armed conflict. (In recent years, there has been an understanding in the Council that there would be two major public meetings on protection of civilians each year.) Under Secretary-General John Holmes will update the Council on developments since the Secretary-General’s last report on the topic in October. Read more

• Security Sector Reform

  The Council is expected to take up the Secretary-General’s 23 January report on security sector reform (SSR) in May. A public meeting is planned at which several speakers are expected, including possibly the Secretary-General and Slovakian Ambassador Peter Burian. Read more

• Sierra Leone

  The Council is expected to consider the Secretary-General’s report on the now very small UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL). The report is due by 30 April, and UNIOSIL’s mandate expires on 31 September. (The post of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General has been vacant since January.) A statement by the Council is a possible outcome. Read more

• Sudan/Darfur

  A strong Council focus on Darfur is expected in May, in particular in the lead up to the scheduled Council visit to the region at the end of the month.    Read more

• Burundi

  The Council expects to consider the Secretary-General’s semi-annual report on the UN Integrated Office in Burundi (BINUB). The mandate of BINUB does not expire until 31 December. However, because of the recent heavy fighting, the Council will be following the situation closely and a further statement is possible. Read more

• Iraq (Oil-for-Food)

  The Iraq oil-for-food programme came to an end on 31 December 2007. However, many issues concerning letters of credit remain outstanding and the Council continues to receive progress reports from the Secretary-General on the processing of those issues. The next progress report is expected in May. Read more

• Overview

  In May the UK will have the presidency of the Council. There are no mandates up for renewal during the month. Four important thematic public Council meetings are expected: On 6 May, an open debate on Counter-Terrorism, following briefings by... Read more

• Liberia

  The Council in April is expected to consider the Secretary-General’s report on the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), which was submitted to the Council on 20 March. Read more