August 2024 Monthly Forecast

• Overview   

  In August, Sierra Leone will hold the presidency of the Security Council.    Read more

• In Hindsight: The Geneva Conventions at 75: Much Work to be Done

  On 12 August, the Geneva Conventions turn 75. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described these foundational treaties in international humanitarian law (IHL) as “one of humanity’s most important accomplishments of the last century.” In recent years, blatant disregard for IHL has been a feature of conflicts around the world, including several on the Council’s agenda. For the Security Council, the anniversary offers a time for sombre and sober reflection. Read more

• Status Update since our July Forecast  

  This is the Status Update since our last Forecast. Read more

• Women, Peace and Security

  In August, the Security Council will hold a briefing on “Sustaining Women, Peace and Security Commitments in the context of accelerated drawdown of peace operations”. Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, and a civil society representative are the anticipated briefers. Read more

• Sudan

  In August, the Security Council will receive the semi-annual briefing of International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan on the ICC’s Darfur-related activities. Read more

• Somalia

  In August, the Security Council is expected to extend the authorisation of the African Union (AU) Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which expires on 12 August.  Council members are expected to receive a written update from the Secretary-General by 31 August on the modalities and timeline for the transition of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to the UN Country Team, as requested by the Council in a 16 May letter.   The mandate of UNSOM is set to expire on 31 October and was most recently renewed by resolution 2705 of 31 October 2023.  Read more

• Maintenance of International Peace and Security: “Addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the UN Security Council”  

  In August, the Security Council is expected to convene for a debate titled “Addressing the historical injustice and enhancing Africa’s effective representation in the UN Security Council” under the “Maintenance of International Peace and Security” agenda item. The briefers are expected to include UN Secretary-General António Guterres; Dennis Francis, the President of the UN General Assembly; and a civil society briefer. No formal outcome is anticipated.    Read more

• South Sudan

  In August, the Security Council will hold a briefing, followed by consultations, to discuss the situation in South Sudan. Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom is anticipated to brief on the Secretary-General’s 90-day report on South Sudan, circulated to Council members on 29 July, and developments in the country.  The mandate of UNMISS expires on 30 April 2025.  Read more

• Yemen

  In August, the Security Council is expected to hold a briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and a representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are expected to brief. The Head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, will brief in consultations. Read more

• Lebanon

  In August, the Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ahead of its 31 August expiry. Prior to that, Council members will hold closed consultations on UNIFIL. Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, is the anticipated briefer. Council members are also likely to watch developments in Lebanon, Israel, and the region closely and evaluate whether additional Council action is required. Read more

• Libya

  In August, the Security Council will hold its bimonthly briefing on the situation in Libya. Deputy Special Representative and Political Officer in Charge of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Koury will brief the Council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country and on the Secretary-General’s most recent report on UNSMIL. The chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki (Japan), is also expected to brief on the committee’s activities.     Read more

• Syria

  In August, the Security Council will hold a meeting on the political process and the humanitarian situation in Syria.   Read more

• DPRK (North Korea)

  In August, the Chair of the 1718 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Pascale Baeriswyl (Switzerland), is scheduled to brief Council members in closed consultations on the 90-day report regarding the Committee’s work. Read more