Week 102, 19 - 23 December 2022

This bulletin will provide a brief analysis of last week’s meetings at the UN Security Council (UNSC), and an overview of the upcoming meetings this week.

Last week, the Security Council was presented with the 21st progress report of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. Ireland organised an Arria-formula meeting marking the seventh anniversary of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda. India convened the first signature event of its Presidency, an Open Debate on a ‘new orientation for reformed multilateralism’.

• On 12 December 2022, the President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, and the IRMCT Prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, presented the 21st progress report of the Mechanism at the Council’s semi-annual debate on the IRMCT. The president reported that the Mechanism remains strong, delivering tangible results. Ireland commended the Mechanism and called on the international community to cooperate with and respect the decisions of the Tribunal.

Judge Graciela Gatti Santana

• On 12 December 2022, Ireland hosted an Arria-formula meeting marking the seventh anniversary of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) underlined that the YPS Agenda recognises young people as positive agents of change and critical partners for peace.

Natalia Kanem

• On 13 December 2022, the Council held a meeting on the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Nicholas Haysom, Head of UNMISS briefed the Council and commended the progress of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) in reviewing the Elections Act but noted that the issue of implementation of quotas for women and persons with disabilities remains unresolved. Ireland called for urgent progress on the political transition and preparations for inclusive, credible elections.
• On 14 December 2022, Ireland and Mexico held their final stakeout as co-Chairs of the Informal Expert Group (IEG) on Women, Peace and Security. The co-Chairs reported on the IEG’s achievements over the last two years, including that it held a record 18 meetings since January 2021 and that the first ever field visit of the group too place in Lebanon in 2021.
• On 14 December 2022, India convened an Open Debate on a ‘new orientation for reformed multilateralism’, the first signature meeting of its Presidency. UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, told the Security Council that today’s global challenges require a revitalized international cooperation that is effective, representative and inclusive. Csaba Kőrösi, President of the General Assembly, pointed out that 10 months into the war in Ukraine, not a single Council resolution has been adopted to mitigate the exact type of crisis the UN was created to prevent. Ireland emphasised that multilateral institutions and the rules and norms that underpin them must evolve to face the realities of today and pointed to the historic and unjust underrepresentation of Africa on the Security Council which must be addressed.

Csaba Kőrösi

• On 15 December 2022, the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack perpetrated against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on 14 December 2022, following which one Irish peacekeeper, Private Seán Rooney, was killed, and three others were wounded.
• On 16 December 2022, Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) briefed the Council. He outlined that almost one year after the failure to hold elections, the situation in Libya is deteriorating on all fronts. Ireland called on all Libyan leaders to come together and agree on a constitutional basis for the holding of free, fair and inclusive elections. Echoing the Special Representative, Ireland underlined that Libyan women have a critical role to play in Libya’s journey to stability and the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and youth in Libya’s political, economic and security sectors must be secured.

The Week Ahead (19 - 23 December 2022)

This week, the Council will hold its monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. Ireland will give its final report as Facilitator on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The Council will also meet to discuss the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and the Golan Heights.

Monday – 19 December 2022

• The Council is expected to adopt a Resolution renewing the mandate of MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of Congo).
• The Council will hold its monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, will brief the Council and provide an oral report on the implementation of Resolution 2334, on Israeli settlement activities.
• Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Mythen, will deliver his final half-year (Ireland’s fourth) report as Facilitator on work under the 2231 format, on the Iran nuclear deal. UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, will deliver the Secretary-General’s six-monthly report on the implementation of Resolution 2231, while Olof Skoog, Head of EU Delegation, will deliver a biannual report on the work of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Procurement Working Group.

Tuesday – 20 December 2022

• The Council will hold its regular meeting on the situation in Afghanistan. Recently appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, will brief the Council for the first time, alongside Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, and the Permanent Representative of India, Ruchira Kamboj, as Chair of the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee.

Wednesday – 21 December 2022

• The Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the mandate of UNDOF (Golan Heights).
• The Council will hold a meeting on the Syria Political and Humanitarian items. UN Special Envoy, Geir Pedersen, will brief the Council on the political file, focusing on developments on the ground. USG Martin Griffiths is expected to brief on Syria humanitarian issues. The humanitarian statement will be delivered by Ireland, on behalf of the co-penholders (Ireland and Norway).

Thursday – 22 December 2022

• No official meetings.

Friday – 23 December 2022

• No official meetings.