January 2012 Monthly Forecast

• Status Update

  Status Update of Security Council Activity in December 2011. Read more

• Notable Dates

  Notable dates for January 2012 Read more

• Yemen

  The Council is expecting in January a briefing on the situation in Yemen by the Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Jamal Benomar. Read more

• UNOWA (West Africa)

  In January the Council is expected to consider a report from the Secretary-General on the activities of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), submitted in December 2011. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNOWA, Said Djinnit, will likely brief the Council. Read more

• Iraq

  The Council is expecting a briefing from the Office for Disarmament Affairs and to hold consultations to discuss Iraq's progress towards ratification of the Additional Protocol to the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) in accordance with resolution 1957. Council members are also likely to be watchful about the security and political situation in Iraq following the departure of the US troops. Read more

• UN-AU Strategic Partnership

  In January, the Council is expected to hold an open debate on the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU with respect to maintenance of peace and security in Africa. South African President Jacob Zuma is expected to preside and the President of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in January 2012 (Kenya) is likely to address the Council. The Secretary General is likely to brief on the UN's strategic vision for UN-AU cooperation. A likely outcome will be a resolution underlining the importance of the relationship and stressing the need to create mechanisms for a more effective strategic partnership. Read more

• Côte d’Ivoire

  In January the Council is expected to discuss a midterm report of the Secretary-General on the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) expected by the end of December 2011. The Council will likely issue a press statement welcoming the successful conduct of legislative elections in December 2011 and underlining the importance of addressing the key remaining issues that would help consolidate peace and democracy in the country: completing the disarmament and reintegration process; security sector reform; addressing issues relating to national reconciliation, including the setting up of the Dialogue, Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and addressing impunity for past abuses. Read more

• South Sudan

  In January, the Council may review the force level of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). At press time, whether and in what format the Council would discuss this issue in January remained unclear. A resolution would be required if the Council were to reduce the mandated force level to 6,000 military personnel. Read more

• In Hindsight: The Working Methods Open Debate

  On 30 November 2011, the Council held an open debate on its working methods, the fourth such debate on the issue with35 delegations participating, including 20 members at large. As president, Ambassador José Filipe Moraes Cabral (Portugal) volunteered to speak last, allowing him to sum up the debate. Read more

• Sudan/Darfur

  In January, the Council will likely receive a briefing and discuss in consultations the Secretary-General's quarterly report on the AU-UN Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). The Sudan sanctions committee is expected to receive the final report of its panel of experts in January. At press time, no formal outcome was anticipated in January from the Council on Darfur. Read more

• Libya

  The Council is likely to remain focused on post-conflict Libya in January, as the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) deploys to full capacity. Ian Martin, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNSMIL, is expected to brief the Council. Read more

• Rule of Law

  An open debate on strengthening the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security will take place in January. In addition to member states at large, the Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General, Asha-Rose Migiro, may address the Council. A presidential statement is expected as an outcome. Read more

• Overview

  South Africa will preside over the Security Council in January. President Jacob Zuma is expected to preside over a high-level debate on the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU in the area of the maintenance of peace and security. The Secretary-General is likely to brief on his report on this matter expected to be published in early January. Read more