August 2013 Monthly Forecast

• Overview

  Argentina will preside over the Security Council in August. Read more

• Status Update

  Recent developments on situations covered in this Forecast are in the relevant briefs. Interesting developments on other issues are included in this Status Update of Security Council activity in July 2013. Read more

• Notable Dates

  Notable Dates for August Read more

• In Hindsight: The Media Stakeout

  In February 2011 we identified a notable reduction in appearances at the Security Council media stakeout since renovations had begun on the Council chamber. An analysis of the number of stakeouts during the entire renovation period prompts us to ask once more whether such reduced use will continue to be the status quo now that the Council is back in its refurbished chamber or whether Council members will reinvigorate this mechanism. Read more

• Cooperation with Regional and Subregional Organisations

  In August, the Council will hold a high-level open debate on cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organisations in the maintenance of international peace and security. Read more

• Protection of Civilians

  In August, the Security Council will hold an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Secretary-General, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay (by video-conference) and the International Committee of the Red Cross Director for International Law and Cooperation, Philip Spoerri, will brief the Council. The meeting will be chaired by Susana Ruiz Cerutti, the legal adviser to the foreign ministry of Argentina and member of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC). Read more

• Sudan and South Sudan

  In August, the Security Council expects to hold two meetings, likely in consultations, on compliance by Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) with resolution 2046. The Council also expects to discuss in consultations the most recent report of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), whose mandate expires on 30 November. Ambassador María Cristina Perceval (Argentina), chair of the Sudan 1591 Sanctions Committee, will also provide the quarterly briefing on the Committee’s work to Council members in consultations. At press time, no Council outcome on these issues was anticipated. Read more

• Lebanon (UNIFIL)

  In August the Security Council will extend the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a further year as requested by Lebanon. It is likely that the impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon will also be reflected in the forthcoming resolution, though no significant operational changes to the UNIFIL mandate are anticipated.   Read more

• Kosovo

  In August, Farid Zarif, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), is scheduled to brief the Council during a quarterly debate. Zarif will update the Council on the Secretary-General’s report of 26 July (S/2013/444) and other recent developments. No outcome is expected by the Council. Read more

• DPRK (North Korea)

  In August, the chair of the 1718 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Sylvie Lucas (Luxembourg), is scheduled to brief Council members in consultations. Read more

• Haiti

  In August, the Council will consider the Secretary-General’s semi-annual report on the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). A debate with a briefing by Sandra Honoré, the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of mission, is expected. At press time, no outcome was anticipated. Read more