Security Council Working Methods
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Greece is the president of the Security Council in May. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 May). As the signature event of its presidency, Greece is expected to convene a high-level open debate...
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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.
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France is the president of the Security Council in April. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 April). The quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” will...
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Denmark is the president of the Security Council in March. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (3 March). Denmark is expected to organise one signature event, an open debate on “Advancing adaptability in UN...
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China is the president of the Security Council in February. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (3 February). China has chosen to organise one signature event, a high-level open debate on “Practicing Multilateralism,...
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Algeria is the president of the Security Council in January. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (2 January). Algeria has chosen to organise three signature events during its presidency. The first one is...
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In 2024, the Security Council was confronted with a world beset by multiple crises, including continuing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, severe deterioration in the situation in Sudan, and a sudden shift in the political situation in Syria. Differing strategic interests and irreconcilable world views among the major powers restricted the Council’s ability to fully address these crises. The tensions among the major powers were frequently in evidence in the Council chamber, where members clashed on a range of issues.
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The US is the president of the Security Council in December. Council members were unable to reach agreement on the provisional programme of work for the month, apparently due to Russia’s objection to the inclusion of Ukraine on the programme. Instead, the...
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The 22nd annual workshop for incoming members of the UN Security Council, titled “Hitting the Ground Running”, will be held on 21 and 22 November on Long Island, New York. The government of Finland is convening the workshop in cooperation...
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The UK is the president of the Security Council in November. Council members were unable to reach agreement on the provisional programme of work for the month, due to Russia’s apparent objection to the inclusion of Ukraine on the programme. Instead, the...
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Switzerland is the president of the Security Council in October. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 October). Switzerland has chosen to organise two signature events. The first is a high-level briefing on...
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The six years I’ve spent as Security Council Report’s (SCR) Executive Director have been eventful. SCR has observed and documented the Council’s actions on dramatically changing situations including the COVID-19 pandemic, Ukraine, and Gaza, and on major policy shifts, such as the UN financing of AU peace support operations. Day in and day out, SCR has interacted with Council members, other member states, regional bodies, the UN Secretariat, academia, and civil society in order to produce impartial, nuanced and fact-checked reports on issues before the Security Council. I feel privileged to have held this position, in which I have learned a great deal. Stepping down, I offer some reflections on the Security Council’s impact on international peace and security.
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Slovenia is the president of the Security Council in September. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (3 September). Slovenia has chosen to organise one signature event, a high-level open debate on “Leadership for...
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On Monday morning (12 August), the Security Council will convene for a high-level debate titled “Addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation on the UN Security Council” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. This...
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Sierra Leone is the president of the Security Council in August. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 August). Sierra Leone has chosen to organise two signature events. It will convene a debate...
