Security Council Working Methods
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Japan is the president of the Security Council in March. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 March). As one of the signature events of its presidency, Japan will organise an open debate...
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In March, Japan is organising an open debate on the Council’s working methods. Japan, the chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions (IWG), is expected to circulate a concept note ahead of the debate. It will be held under the agenda item “Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2017/507)”, referring to the most recent version of the comprehensive compendium of Council working methods.
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Guyana is the president of the Security Council in February. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 February). In addition to the scheduled meetings in New York, Council members will conduct a visiting...
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France is the president of the Security Council in January. While France will not be pursuing a signature event in January, the quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” will be elevated to...
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The Security Council has been severely tested by a multilateral environment in turmoil. In 2023, it faced the continuing effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the precipitous escalation of conflict in the Middle East, and pushback against UN peacekeeping in Africa as well as UN sanctions. The shifting global balance of power, the contrasting narratives about global priorities that emerged after the invasion of Ukraine, and the allegations of Western double standards over Israel’s actions in Gaza, have severely strained relations and deepened the atmosphere of distrust. The Council continued to come under public attack for its inability to address violations of the UN Charter.
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Ecuador is the president of the Security Council in December. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 December). Ecuador has chosen to organise one signature event during its presidency. It will convene a...
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The 21st annual workshop for incoming members of the UN Security Council, titled “Hitting the Ground Running”, will be held on 2 and 3 November on Long Island, New York. The government of Finland is convening the workshop in cooperation...
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China is the president of the Security Council in November. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 November). China has chosen to organise one signature event during its presidency. It will convene an...
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Brazil is the president of the Security Council in October. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (2 October). In the two preceding months, the Council had been unable to agree on its provisional...
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The Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace calls for strong partnerships between the UN and regional frameworks as part of “networked multilateralism”. Current geopolitical shifts make it imperative to reflect on how such partnerships should function—how the Security Council and regional organisations relate to each other in the maintenance of international peace and security. This is especially important in assessing how and when the Council must be involved with regional arrangements, including peace and enforcement operations. The Council itself has a mixed record in interpreting the provisions of the UN Charter, however.
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Tomorrow morning (5 September), the Security Council will hold its annual open debate on its working methods. The meeting will be conducted under the agenda item “Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council (S/2017/507)”, referring to...
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Albania is the president of the Security Council in September. 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,...
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Introduction In July 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres released A New Agenda for Peace. It is one of 11 policy briefs connected to his 2021 report, Our Common Agenda, reflecting his vision for the future of multilateralism and intended to...
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In September, the Council will hold its annual working methods open debate. Ambassador Ferit Hoxha (Albania), the chair of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, will brief.
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The United States is the president of the Security Council in August. In an unusual but not unprecedented development, Council members were unable to reach agreement on the provisional programme of work for the month, due to Russia’s objections primarily...
