Week 30, 26-30 July 2021

Recent developments at the UNSC

• Martin Griffiths took up his new role as Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator on Monday 19 July 2021.
• The Security Council released a press statement which condemned the terrorist attack which took place in Iraq on Monday 19 July 2021.
• In a Security Council meeting on the UN Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP) on Wednesday 21 July 2021, Ireland reiterated its support for the renewal of the resolution establishing UNFICYP.
• Minister Simon Coveney visited Nairobi on Friday 23 June 2021 to meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya and also met with UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Somalia, James Swan, in a visit to Mogadishu on Thursday 22 June 2021.
• The Security Council released a press statement in response to recent developments in Varosha, Cyprus, on Friday 23 July 2021.

Monday – 26^th July

• Semi-annual meeting on the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA). Special Representative and head of the UNRCCA Natalia Gherman is expected to brief in closed consultations on the centre’s activities.
• Closed consultations on the implementation of resolution 2565 of 26 February on the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The expected briefers are Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Oscar Fernandez-Taranco and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham.

Tuesday – 27^th July

• Briefing on the drawdown and closure of the AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), as requested in resolution 2559 of 22 December 2020. Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support Atul Khare is the anticipated briefer.

Wednesday – 28^th July

• Quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”. Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Lynn Hastings will brief. A civil society representative may also brief.

Thursday – 29^th July

• The Council is scheduled to vote on two draft resolutions: one renewing the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and another renewing the mandate of the 2127 Central African Republic sanctions regime and its panel of experts.
• Arria formula meeting on Myanmar organised by the UK.

Friday – 30^th July

• The 1533 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sanctions committee will hold a meeting to receive a briefing on illicit mining in the DRC, with a focus on the mining of gold.
• Wrap up session.