Week 16: 19 - 23 April 2021

Recent developments at the UNSC

• Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason addressed the Security Council on Monday 12 April 2021 in a meeting on the Great Lakes Region and emphasised the importance of Security Council engagement in the region for peace and prosperity.
• The Special Representative and Head of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Zahir Tanin, briefed the Security Council on Tuesday 13 April 2021. Ambassador Byrne Nason called for action in Kosovo on rule of law and anti-corruption reforms.
• The Security Council held a high level open debate on conflict-related sexual violence on Wednesday 14 April 2021. Ambassador Byrne Nason called on the UNSC to meet its responsibilities through sanctions, tackling impunity, ensuring monitoring of conflict related sexual violence and implementation of the WPS agenda.
• The Security Council held a meeting on Yemen on Thursday 15 April 2021. Ambassador Byrne Nason called on parties to urgently implement further actions to ease suffering.
• The Security Council adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the Panel of Experts on Libya on Friday 16 April 2021.

Monday – 19^th April

• High-level open debate on cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organisations. President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc of Vietnam will chair the meeting. Secretary-General António Guterres and former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are expected to brief. Representatives of various regional organisations are also scheduled to brief.

Tuesday – 20^th April

• Informal interactive dialogue on Somalia. The expected briefers include the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), James Swan; officials from the Somali government, and representatives from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the AU and the EU.

Wednesday – 21^st April

• Briefing on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The expected briefers are the Special Representative for Western Sahara and head of MINURSO, Collin Stewart, and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, Michael Kingsley-Nyinah.
• Quarterly meeting on Colombia. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu is expected to brief on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission.

Thursday – 22^nd April

• The Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution renewing the mandate of the 1540 Committee (non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction).
• Quarterly open debate on “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland is the anticipated briefer.

Friday – 23^rd April

• Informal interactive dialogue on mercenaries in Libya. Possible briefers include the Special Envoy for Libya and head of UNSMIL, Ján Kubiš, and Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo.