March 2012 Monthly Forecast

• Overview

  The UK will have the presidency of the Council in March. Foreign Secretary William Hague is expected to preside over a debate focusing on the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa and intending to look at challenges and opportunities for peace and security emanating from this experience. Three foreign ministers from the region are likely to brief and several foreign ministers from Council member states have confirmed their participation. Read more

• Status Update

  Status Update of Security Council Activity in February 2012. Read more

• Notable Dates

  Notable dates for March 2012. Read more

• Sierra Leone

  In March the Council is expected to consider the Secretary-General's mid-term report on the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), due mid-March. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe will brief the Council. Read more

• Iran

  In March, the chair of the Iran Sanctions Committee (1737 Committee), Ambassador Néstor Osorio (Colombia), is expected to provide the Council with a regular quarterly briefing. The report is likely to be routine. Other Council members will then be given the opportunity to address the issue of Iran's nuclear programme. No Council action is expected following the briefing. Read more

• Afghanistan

  In March, the Council is expected to extend the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for a further 12 months ahead of its expiration on 23 March. Ján Kubiš, the new head of the mission, is expected to brief on the Secretary-General's quarterly report on the mission (due in early March) at a debate in the Council. Read more

• Somalia

  In March, the Council is expected to hold an open debate on Somalia chaired by Under Secretary of State Henry Bellingham (UK) as a follow-up to the 23 February London conference. A video-conference briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Augustine Mahiga, is expected and a presidential statement is the likely outcome.   Read more

• Guinea-Bissau

  In March, the Council expects a briefing by the Secretary-General's Special Representative in Guinea-Bissau, Joseph Mutaboba, on recent developments in the country, including presidential elections scheduled for 18 March to succeed Malam Bacai Sanhá, who died on 9 January. The mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) expires on 28 February 2013. Read more

• Yemen

  In March, the Council is expecting a briefing in consultations on the situation in Yemen by the Secretary-General's Special Adviser, Jamal Benomar. (Benomar has been briefing the Council regularly since the adoption of resolution 2014 on 21 October 2011.) Read more

• Libya

  The Council is expected to renew in March the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Ian Martin, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNSMIL, is expected to present the report of the Secretary-General on UNSMIL and brief the Council on the latest developments. Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib is also likely to be present for the briefing. Read more

• Haiti

  The Council will likely receive a briefing from Mariano Fernández, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), followed by a debate on the semi-annual report on MINUSTAH, which is expected to be released in early March. Read more

• Lebanon

  In March, Council members are expected to hold consultations on the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of resolution 1701, which on 11 August 2006 called for a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. Derek Plumbly, who took up the post of Special Coordinator for Lebanon on 4 February, will provide his first briefing to Council members in informal consultations. A representative from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations will also brief. Read more

• Peacekeeping

  In March, the Council is expecting a briefing on peacekeeping by Hervé Ladsous, head of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), followed by consultations. Council members are likely to focus on transitions in peacekeeping, particularly in relation to improving the Council's involvement in peacebuilding processes. No formal outcome is anticipated. Read more

• Sudan and South Sudan

  The Council is expected to hold a briefing and consultations in March on the Secretary-General's most recent report on the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). It appears that Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous and/or Hilde Johnson, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNMISS, will brief. At press time, no formal outcome was anticipated. Read more