April 2021 Monthly Forecast

Posted 31 March 2021
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  • Overview  

    In April, Viet Nam will have the presidency of the Security Council.    Read more

  • In Hindsight: Guns for Hire—The Security Council and Mercenarism 

    Mercenaries, the proverbial soldiers of fortune, have been part of conflict for almost as long as conflict has existed. Read more

  • Status Update since our March Forecast 

    This was the Status Update since our last Forecast. Read more

  • Women, Peace and Security

    In April, the Security Council is scheduled to hold its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence. The Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, is expected to brief. Representatives of civil society are also likely to participate. No formal outcome is anticipated. Read more

  • Mali

    In April, the Council will hold its quarterly briefing on Mali, followed by consultations. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is expected to brief. The mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) expires on 30 June 2021. Read more

  • Syria

    In April, the Security Council expects to hold its monthly meetings on the political and humanitarian situations and the use of chemical weapons in Syria.   Read more

  • Great Lakes Region (DRC)

    Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia is expected to provide his biannual briefing to the Council in April on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSC Framework) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and on other recent developments in the region. Read more

  • Mine Action (Landmines)

    In April, Council president Viet Nam is expected to convene a ministerial-level open debate on mine action. Viet Nam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Pham Binh Minh, will chair the meeting, which will be held via videoconference. Secretary-General António Guterres is a likely briefer. Possible additional briefers include Ambassador Stefano Toscano, the director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, and Nguyen Thi Dieu Linh, manager of “Project Renew” (an all-women demining team) at the Norwegian People's Aid in Viet Nam. Read more

  • UNMIK (Kosovo) 

    In April, the Council is expected to hold its first briefing this year on the situation in Kosovo. The Special Representative and head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Zahir Tanin, will brief on recent developments and the latest report by the Secretary-General.     Read more

  • Libya

    In April, the Security Council is expected to renew the measures related to the illicit export of petroleum from Libya, which are due to expire on 30 April, and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, which expires on 15 May.   The authorisation given through resolution 2526 (to inspect vessels believed to be in violation of the arms embargo) expires on 5 June, and the authorisation given through resolution 2491 (to inspect vessels suspected of being used for migrant smuggling or human trafficking) expires on 3 October. The mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expires on 15 September. Read more

  • Yemen

    In April, the Security Council is expected to hold its monthly briefing, followed by consultations, on Yemen with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and General Abhijit Guha, who heads the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA). Read more

  • Conflict Prevention and Regional Organizations 

    In April, Viet Nam plans to convene a high-level open debate on enhancing cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations. The meeting is expected to focus on the importance of confidence-building measures and dialogue in the context of conflict prevention and resolution. Read more

  • Western Sahara

    In April, Security Council members expect to receive a briefing in consultations on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), likely from Collin Stewart, the Special Representative for Western Sahara and head of MINURSO.  Read more

  • Colombia

    In April, the Security Council is expected to receive a briefing from Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission. The Council may adopt a resolution expanding the mandate of the mission to include monitoring compliance with the sentences handed down by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (SJP). Read more

  • Non-Proliferation (1540 Committee) 

    In April, the Council is expected to renew the mandate of 1540 Committee ahead of its expiry on 25 April.    Read more

  • The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question  

    The Security Council expects to hold its quarterly open debate, likely via videoconference, on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question” in April. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland is expected to brief.        Read more

  • Sudan/South Sudan

    In April, the Council expects to receive a briefing on the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of the mandate of the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), due by 15 April, as requested in resolution 2550.  Read more

  • Protection of Civilians: Protecting Critical Infrastructure

    Expected Council Action   In April, Viet Nam plans to hold an open debate via videoconference (VTC) on “Critical Infrastructure: The Protection of Objects Indispensable to the Survival of the Civilian Population”, as one of the signature events of its presidency. Viet Nam’s Deputy... Read more

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