Overview
Colombia will hold the Council presidency in April.
Haiti is among the top priority issues for Colombia and an open debate, most likely to be chaired by Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, is expected early in the month. Expected to participate are also the Secretary-General and possibly his Special Envoy for Haiti, Bill Clinton.
Côte d’Ivoire and Libya seem likely to continue to be a major focus in April.
The quarterly open debate on the Middle East is due in April.
There is also a debate planned on the issue of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, prior to the renewal of the mandate in resolution 1540.
Several briefings in formal meetings are planned during the month:
- by DPA, on current issues of concern, (this has now developed as a monthly practice since);
- by South African Ambassador Baso Sangqu, Chairman of the 1540 Committee, at the outset of the debate on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction;
- on Iraq, most likely by the head of UNAMI, Ad Melkert, to be followed by consultations;
- on Côte d’Ivoire, possibly by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Choi Young-Jin, to be followed by consultations;
- on Sudan, covering both Darfur and South Sudan, most likely by the head of UN Peacekeeping Department, Alain Le Roy, to be followed by consultations; and
- on small arms and light weapons, possibly by High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Sergio Duarte.
Briefings are also planned (but at press time the format was not decided) on:
- women, peace and security by the head of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet; and
- sexual violence in conflict, by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Margot Wallström.
Briefings in informal consultations are likely on:
- the Côte d’Ivoiresanctions, by the chairperson of the 1572 Committee, Ambassador Maria Luiza Viotti of Brazil; and
- on Western Sahara, most likely by the Special Representative Hany Abdel-Aziz and Envoy Christopher Ross.
Formal meetings are expected to adopt resolutions on the:
- renewal of 1540 mandate on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction;
- renewal of Côte d’Ivoire sanctions and panel of experts;
- renewal of the mandate of the operation in Sudan, UNMIS;
- renewal of the operation in Western Sahara; and
- piracy situation in Somalia.
The annual Council retreat with the Secretary-General is also planned in April but at press time the theme for the meeting had not been revealed.
