Ireland and the UN Security Council - This Week: Week 3

Week 3: 18-22 January 2021

Antonio Guterres confirmed on 11 January that he will seek a second five year term as UN Secretary General, which would begin in January 2022. So far, no challengers have emerged, however, there is likely to be a push from certain members states to nominate a woman as the first female UN Secretary General.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, addressed the UN Security Council on 12 January in a debate marking 20 years of UN Counter Terrorism efforts. He highlighted Ireland’s commitment to ensuring measures which combat terrorism are compliant with international human rights and humanitarian law.
In an attack on a UN Peacekeeping convoy in Mali on 15 January, one peacekeeper from Egypt was killed and another seriously injured. UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the attack and emphasised that the attack “may constitute a war crime”.

Monday – 18^th January

Briefing on: “Cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations (Arab League)”. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and LAS Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit are expected to brief.

Tuesday – 19^th January

Consultations on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) are planned. Special Representative and head of UNFICYP, Elizabeth Spehar, is the anticipated briefer.

Wednesday – 20^th January

Joint briefing, followed by consultations, on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. Special Envoy Geir Pedersen will most likely brief on political developments, while Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock is expected to brief on humanitarian issues.

Thursday – 21^st January

Briefing on Colombia, followed by consultations. Special Representative and head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Carlos Ruiz Massieu is expected to provide the briefing.

Friday – 22^nd January