April 2025 Monthly Forecast

• Overview 

  In April, France will hold the presidency of the Security Council.  Read more

• In Hindsight: Ensuring Effective Peace Operations in an Uncertain World

  This year, peace operations are expected to receive increased attention in the Council, with three elected members—Denmark, Pakistan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK)—forming a “peacekeeping trio” initiative. This month’s In Hindsight explores emerging trends and ongoing reform efforts in UN peace operations amidst shifting and challenging geopolitical dynamics. It also previews upcoming discussions at the 2025 Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin and the review of UN peace operations. Read more

• Status Update since our March Forecast  

  This is the Status Update since our February Forecast. Read more

• Protection of Humanitarian and UN Personnel

  In April, the Security Council will hold an open briefing on the implementation of resolution 2730 of 24 May 2024, which concerns the protection of humanitarian personnel and UN and associated personnel and their premises and assets. France, the Council president for the month, is convening the meeting. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security Gilles Michaud are expected to the brief. A civil society representative may also participate. Read more

• West Africa and the Sahel

  In April, the Security Council will hold a briefing on West Africa and the Sahel. The Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, is expected to brief. Read more

• UN Peacekeeping

  In April, the Security Council will receive its briefing from the heads of military components of UN peacekeeping operations. The anticipated briefers are Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the heads of military components of two UN peacekeeping operations: Force Commander of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes and Head of Mission and Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz. Read more

• Kosovo

  In April, the Security Council is expected to hold its first briefing this year on the situation in Kosovo. Special Representative and Head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Caroline Ziadeh will brief on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest report.  Read more

• Somalia

  In April, the Security Council is expected to hold a private meeting to discuss the situation in Somalia. James Swan, the Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the UN Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), is expected to brief. The African Union (AU) is also expected to update the Council on the implementation of the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) mandate in accordance with resolution 2767 of 27 December 2024. The resolution expressed the Council’s intention to invite the AU, the UN Secretariat, and relevant international stakeholders to participate in a joint meeting on AUSSOM and UNTMIS. Read more

• Western Sahara

  In April, Security Council members are expected to receive a briefing in closed consultations on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The Special Representative for Western Sahara and Head of MINURSO, Alexander Ivanko, and the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Staffan de Mistura, are the anticipated briefers. Read more

• Yemen

  In April, the Security Council will hold its monthly meeting on Yemen. Read more

• South Sudan

  In April, the Security Council will hold a briefing, followed by consultations, on the situation in South Sudan. Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom will brief on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on South Sudan and developments in the country. The Council is also expected to renew UNMISS’ mandate before its expiration on 30 April. Read more

• Great Lakes Region (DRC)

  In April, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Huang Xia, is expected to provide the biannual briefing to the Council on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework (PSC-F) for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region. Read more

• Libya

  In April, the Security Council will hold its bimonthly briefing on the situation in Libya. Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Hanna Tetteh will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and the Secretary-General’s latest report on UNSMIL. Read more

• Haiti

  In April, the Council will hold its 90-day briefing on the situation in Haiti. Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) María Isabel Salvador will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and on the Secretary-General’s latest report on BINUH. The report is expected on 11 April. Council members might call for an additional meeting to discuss the Secretary-General’s 24 February letter containing strategic recommendations on the UN's role in support of Haiti and evaluate options for Council action to implement the Secretary-General’s recommendations. 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 in Colombia and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission, which was circulated to Council members on 26 March (S/2025/188). A civil society representative is also expected to brief. Read more

• Syria

  In April, the Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on the political and humanitarian developments in Syria. Read more

• UN High Commissioner for Refugees

  In April, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi will brief the Security Council. The briefing will focus on challenges related to forced displacement across the globe. The session is expected to be interactive, with the High Commissioner responding to observations and questions from members during the session. This type of interactivity is atypical for a public briefing, although a similar format is used when the heads of military and police components of peace operations brief the Council. Read more

• The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

  In April, the Security Council will hold its quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ). France, the Council president for the month, intends to convene the debate at the ministerial level. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot is expected to chair the meeting. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is the anticipated briefer.  Read more