Security Council Working Methods
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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...
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The UK is the president of the Security Council in July. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (3 July). The UK has chosen to organise three signature events this month. It will convene...
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With the Security Council elections behind them, incoming Council members—Algeria, Guyana, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia—are now starting to discuss the allocation of the chairs and vice-chairs of the subsidiary bodies. For many years this process was shrouded in secrecy, with the permanent members deciding how to allocate these positions, often with minimal consultation.
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the president of the Security Council in June. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (1 June). The UAE has chosen to organise three signature events. The first...
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The 77th session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold elections on 6 June for five non-permanent seats of the Security Council for the 2024-2025 term.
