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Latest post: Wed 17 Jun 2026Insights on the work of the UN Security Council
The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question: Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza
Tomorrow afternoon (18 June), the Security Council is expected to hold an open briefing on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”. The Council’s ten elected members requested the meeting to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Four of the Council’s five permanent members—China, France, Russia, and the UK—supported the meeting request. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and a representative of an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) are the anticipated briefers. Israel and the Observer State of Palestine to the UN are expected to participate in the meeting.
Despite the current ceasefire in Gaza—established by the US-brokered “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict”, which the Security Council endorsed through resolution 2803 of 17 November 2025—hostilities have persisted and the humanitarian situation in the territory remains dire. According to the most recent update from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), dated 13 June and citing local health authorities, Israeli airstrikes, shelling, and gunfire have killed 981 Palestinians since the ceasefire was announced on 10 October 2025.
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Tomorrow (17 June), the Security Council will hold an open debate on women, peace and security (WPS) titled “Peace is decided with women: Emerging from conflict by enhancing their participation”. UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous and two women civil...
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Tomorrow morning (16 June), the Security Council will hold a briefing on Yemen. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher are expected to brief. Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the open briefing. The Houthis’...
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Tomorrow morning (15 June), the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, until 17 June 2027. China, the penholder on Afghanistan, sought to streamline the...
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Tomorrow morning (15 June), the Security Council will convene for a private meeting on the African Union (AU) Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) under the agenda item “The situation in Somalia”. Deputy Special Representative for Somalia and Officer in...
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Tomorrow afternoon (9 June), the Security Council is scheduled to hold an open briefing on the work of the 1737 Sanctions Committee concerning Iran. Colombia—the Council’s president in June—intends to convene the meeting under the “Non-Proliferation” agenda item. No briefer is expected. Background The...
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On Wednesday (10 June), the Security Council will hold a high-level open debate titled “Advancing Political Solutions in the Middle East: Mediation and Dialogue for Lasting Peace” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. Colombian President Gustavo...
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On Monday afternoon (8 June), the Security Council will hold an open briefing on Ukraine. The meeting was requested by Ukraine in a 2 June letter and supported by the Council’s European members (Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, and the UK)....
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Tomorrow morning (5 June), the General Assembly is expected to discuss the annual report of the Security Council. The report, which covers the period from 1 January to 31 December 2025, was adopted by the Security Council on 22 May (S/2026/426)....
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Tomorrow afternoon (4 June), Security Council members will convene for closed consultations on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ). Bahrain—supported by Colombia, Denmark, Greece, France, Latvia, Pakistan, Russia, and the UK—requested the consultations following the...
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Tomorrow morning (3 June), the 80th session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold elections for membership of the Security Council. The five seats available for election in 2026, according to the regular distribution among regions, will be...
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Colombia is the president of the Security Council in June. 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 on...
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Tomorrow morning (29 May), the Security Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing sanctions measures on South Sudan—including targeted sanctions (assets freezes and travel bans) and an arms embargo—until 31 May 2027 and the mandate of the Panel...
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Tomorrow afternoon (28 May), the Security Council will hold an open briefing on Ukraine. The meeting was requested by Ukraine in a 24 May letter and supported by the Council’s European members (Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia, and the UK). Secretary-General...
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On Tuesday (26 May), the Security Council will hold a high-level open debate on “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centred International System” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security agenda item”. Chinese Minister...
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Tomorrow morning (21 May), the Security Council will hold its regular monthly open briefing on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ). The anticipated briefers are Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of...
