Somalia is the president of the Security Council in January. Council members adopted the provisional programme of work for the month earlier today (2 January).
Somalia intends to organise one signature event, an open debate titled “Reaffirming international rule of law: pathways to reinvigorating peace, justice, and multilateralism” under the “Promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is expected to chair the meeting. Possible briefers include Secretary-General António Guterres; Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf; and the Founding President of the African Institute of International Law, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf.
Mohamud is also expected to chair the quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ), which will be held at high level this month. Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Ramiz Alakbarov is expected to brief. A civil society representative may also brief.
Several other Middle Eastern issues are expected to be discussed in January.
The Security Council will hold its regular monthly meeting on political and humanitarian issues in Syria. Officials from the UN Secretariat and from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief.
The Council will convene for its monthly briefing and consultations on Yemen. The anticipated briefers are Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and an OCHA official. This month, the Council is scheduled to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA). Council members are also expected to discuss the extension of the monthly reporting requirement for the Secretary-General contained in resolution 2722 of 10 January 2024 on attacks by the Houthi rebel group on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Regarding African issues, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Deputy Prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan, will provide the semi-annual briefing on the ICC’s Darfur-related activities.
The Council also expects to renew the mandate of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), which expires on 31 January, through an exchange of letters with the Secretary-General.
Regarding European files, the Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) ahead of its 31 January expiry. Earlier in the month, Council members will receive a briefing in consultations on the situation in Cyprus from Special Representative and Head of UNFICYP Khassim Diagne. The Council will also hold a private meeting with UNFICYP troop-contributing countries, at which Diagne is expected to participate.
Two meetings on the Americas are scheduled this month.
The Security Council will hold its quarterly briefing on Colombia. Special Representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Miroslav Jenča is the anticipated briefer. Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the open briefing.
The Council is expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) prior to its 31 January expiry. It will also receive the 90-day briefing on the situation in Haiti from Special Representative and Head of BINUH Carlos Ruiz Massieu. Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the open briefing.
The one Asian issue planned for January is the semi-annual briefing in consultations on the work of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA). Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNRCCA Kaha Imnadze is the anticipated briefer.
Additional meetings on these and other issues—including Iran, Ukraine, Sudan, and Venezuela—may be scheduled during the month depending on developments.
Tags: Insights on Working Methods, Security Council Working Methods
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