May 2025 Monthly Forecast

• Overview 

  In May, Greece will hold the presidency of the Security Council.         Read more

• In Hindsight: Impact of a Delay in Subsidiary Body Chairs Appointments 

  The chairs of the Security Council’s subsidiary bodies, which include sanctions committees and working groups, are responsible for several important aspects of the work of these bodies, including chairing meetings, briefing the Council on the work of the relevant subsidiary body, and managing subsidiary body casework, such as listing and delisting requests. At the time of writing, Council members are yet to reach agreement on selecting the chairs of the subsidiary bodies for 2025, which has had an impact on both their work and the Council as a whole. This In Hindsight provides an overview of the process for appointing chairs of subsidiary bodies, discusses how the Council has attempted to manage the current impasse, and describes some of the adverse consequences arising from the delay.  Read more

• Status Update since our April Forecast

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

• Protection of Civilians 

  In May, the Security Council will receive the Secretary-General’s annual report on the protection of civilians (PoC) in armed conflict and hold its annual open debate on the topic. Greece, the Council president in May, is convening the debate as one of its signature events. The expected briefers are Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger. A civil society representative may also brief. Read more

• South Sudan

  In May, the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution to extend the South Sudan sanctions regime, which expires on 31 May, and renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee, which expires on 1 July. On 30 April, the Council members unanimously adopted resolution 2778, extending the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) until 9 May, to allow time for further deliberations. Read more

• Lebanon

  In May, Council members expect to receive a briefing in consultations on the Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 1559. Read more

• Bosnia and Herzegovina

  In May, the Security Council will hold its semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The current authorisation for the EU-led multinational stabilisation force (EUFOR ALTHEA) expires on 1 November. Read more

• Yemen

  In May, the Security Council will hold its monthly meeting on Yemen. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and a representative from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief on political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country. Read more

• Libya

  In May, the Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution renewing for one year the authorisation for member states, acting nationally or through regional organisations, to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya, bound to or from Libya, that they have reasonable grounds to believe are violating the arms embargo. The current authorisation expires on 31 May. Read more

• Maritime Security

  In May, the Security Council will hold an open debate on maritime security under the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security”. This will be the signature event of Greece’s May presidency. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to chair the meeting. Secretary-General António Guterres, and representatives from a UN agency and the private shipping industry are expected to brief the Council. Read more

• Syria

  In May, the Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on political and humanitarian developments in Syria. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen and a representative from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief. Read more

• DPRK (North Korea)

  In May, Council members are scheduled to discuss the 90-day report on the work of the 1718 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee in closed consultations Read more