January 2015 Monthly Forecast

• 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 December 2014. Read more

• Overview

  Chile will hold the presidency of the Council in January. Read more

• Notable Dates for January

  Notable dates for January Read more

• In Hindsight: Military Staff Committee

  The UN Charter established a subsidiary body of the Council, the Military Staff Committee, with a mandate to advise and assist the Council on all questions relating to military requirements and the employment and command of forces placed at its disposal. However, the the Military Staff Committee soon became a victim of the Cold War divisions and never really got off the ground. Read more

• Mali

  In January 2015, the Council expects a briefing from Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Hervé Ladsous on the situation in Mali and the work of MINUSMA. Read more

• Democratic Republic of the Congo

  In January 2015, the Council is expected to renew the DRC sanctions regime and the mandate of the Group of Experts, which expire on 1 February 2015. The Council will also be briefed by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous on the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). The Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, Said Djinnit, may also brief. The briefing will be followed by consultations.   Read more

• Côte d’Ivoire

  In January, the Council is scheduled to be briefed and hold consultations on developments in Côte d’Ivoire and the Secretary-General’s latest report on the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) (S/2014/892). Read more

• UNOWA (West Africa)

  In January, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the head of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA), will brief the Council, followed by consultations. Members will be considering the semi-annual UNOWA report. Read more

• Israel/Palestine

  In January 2015, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman is expected to brief the Council during its quarterly open debate on the Middle East. Also in January, Council members are expected to consider and possibly vote on a resolution calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories by 2017. Read more

• Central African Republic

  In January 2015, the Council will most likely renew the sanctions regime against the Central African Republic (CAR) and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee, both expire on 27 January 2015. Read more

• Syria

  In early January 2015, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Angela Kane is expected to brief Security Council members on the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. Later in the month, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Kyung-wha Kang will brief on the humanitarian situation in Syria. Read more

• Somalia

  In January 2015, the Council is expecting a briefing on the Secretary-General’s 120-day report on the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). The briefing will be followed by consultations.  Read more

• Cyprus

  In January 2015, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for another six months. Special Representative Lisa Buttenheim will likely brief Council members on the latest developments and the UNFICYP report, due by 9 January.  Read more

• Burundi

  In January 2015, the Council will receive the final report on the UN Office in Burundi (BNUB), whose mandate was extended by resolution 2137 for the last time—in line with Burundi’s wishes—until 31 December 2014. The mission ended all operations on 12 December 2014. The Council may adopt a presidential statement marking the end of BNUB in January. Read more

• Inclusive Development

  In January 2015, the Council will hold a ministerial-level open debate on inclusive development for international peace and security. President Michelle Bachelet of Chile is expected to preside. Briefers are expected to include Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, the chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), and a high-level representative from UN Women. Read more

• Peacebuilding

  In January 2015, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson is expected to brief the Council on post-conflict peacebuilding. Also likely to brief is Antonio de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil), chair of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC). Council members will be considering the Secretary-General’s 23 September 2014 report on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict. Read more

• Protection of Civilians

  In January, the Council expects to hold an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, with a focus on the needs of women. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos is expected to brief.  Although yet to be confirmed, other potential briefers include Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and an NGO representative.  No outcome is anticipated.  Read more

• UNRCCA (Central Asia)

  In January, Miroslav Jenča, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), is expected to brief Council members in consultations. As is customary following these semi-annual meetings, a press statement is expected.   Read more