Security Council Working Methods
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China 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, China will convene a ministerial-level open debate titled “Upholding the...
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Bahrain is the president of the Security Council in April. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 April). Bahrain has chosen to organise four signature events. One is a high-level open debate on maritime...
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Since the founding of the United Nations over 80 years ago, few issues have generated as much controversy among the world body’s membership, or so affected the Security Council’s work, as the veto accorded to the Council’s five permanent members (P5). In recent years, P5 divisions have hindered meaningful engagement on situations such as Myanmar, Sudan, “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”, and Ukraine. The exercise of the veto has continued to increase. The seven vetoed draft resolutions in 2024 were the most since 1986. A total of eight vetoes were cast on these failed drafts: four by Russia, three by the US, and one by China. They were on a range of issues, evidence of the divisiveness that currently pervades much of the Council’s work in an era of elevated tension among the major powers. In 2025, there were four vetoes: two by the US on a draft resolution on the war in Gaza, and two by Russia on amendments to a draft resolution on Ukraine. Significant attention continues to be focused on the adverse effects of the veto, which has been the subject of considerable academic research and a recent documentary film.
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Since the founding of the United Nations over 80 years ago, few issues have generated as much controversy among the world body’s membership, or so affected the Security Council’s work, as the veto accorded to the Council’s five permanent members (P5). Concerns among UN member states about the adverse effects of the veto (and the threat of the veto) remain intense and may even be on the rise. P5 disagreements that blocked effective Council action for well over a decade on Syria have also hindered meaningful engagement on issues such as Myanmar, Sudan, Ukraine and “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.
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The US is the president of the Security Council in March. Council members were unable to reach agreement on the provisional programme of work for the month, apparently due to China and Russia’s objection to the inclusion of a briefing...
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The UK is the president of the Security Council in February. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (2 February). The UK is planning a particular focus on two specific mandated meetings, which UK Secretary of State for...
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Somalia is the president of the Security Council in January. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (2 January). Somalia intends to organise one signature event, an open debate titled “Reaffirming international rule of law: pathways to reinvigorating peace, justice,...
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In 2025, deep divisions in the Security Council continued to limit its ability to respond effectively to major security crises. While notable resolutions were adopted on Gaza and Haiti, implementation remains challenging, and the Council struggled to influence entrenched conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar. Shifting geopolitical dynamics, an unusually high number of unexpected crises, and persistent paralysis defined much of the year—though rare unity on Syria offered a moment of cautious optimism. In 2026, the Council faces a demanding agenda, including decisions on the future of peace operations, the implementation of key resolutions, the impact of the UN’s liquidity crisis, and the selection of the next Secretary-General—pointing to a year of both significant challenges and critical choices.
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Slovenia is the president of the Security Council in December. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 December). Slovenia will convene an open debate on “Leadership for Peace” under the “Maintenance of international peace and...
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Mr President, excellencies, distinguished delegates, co-chairs of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural Questions, my co-briefer, Loraine Sievers, colleagues in SCAD, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for inviting Security Council Report to address the Council’s open debate...
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Tomorrow (14 November), the Security Council will convene for its annual open debate on working methods. The meeting will be held under the agenda item “Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2024/507)”, referring to the...
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The 23rd annual workshop for incoming members of the UN Security Council, titled “Hitting the Ground Running”, will be held on 6 and 7 November on Long Island, New York. The government of Finland is convening the workshop in cooperation...
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Sierra Leone is the president of the Security Council in November. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (3 November). Sierra Leone has chosen to organise two signature events during its presidency. The first...
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In November, the Council will hold its annual open debate on working methods. Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen (Denmark) will brief as co-chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG). Shamala Kandiah Thompson, Executive Director of Security Council Report, and Loraine Sievers, co-author of “The Procedure of the UN Security Council” (4th Edition), are also expected to brief. Ahead of the open debate, Denmark and Pakistan, the co-chairs of the IWG, are expected to circulate a concept note.
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Russia is the president of the Security Council in October. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 October). Russia has chosen to organise two signature events. The first is an open debate on...
