Week 34, 23-27 August 2021

Recent developments at the UNSC

• The Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Afghanistan on 16 August 2021 in light of the deteriorating situation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern at the situation and urged the Taliban and all other parties to exercise restraint in order to protect lives. Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason called on the UNSC to stand with the women of Afghanistan. The UNSC agreed on a press statement on Afghanistan which called for an immediate end to violence and a negotiated settlement. Furthermore, Irish Aid announced €1 million in humanitarian funding to support the people of Afghanistan.
• The Security Council discussed the situation in Myanmar on 17 August 2021 with the new ASEAN envoy to Myanmar; Second Foreign Minister of Brunei Erywan Yusof. Ireland called for the implementation of UNSC resolution 2565 on access to vaccines in conflict and for an immediate ceasefire.
• The Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement on the West Africa and Sahel file (UNOWAS) on 17 August 2021. Ireland facilitated the adoption of this statement as co-penholder of the file with Niger.
• Ireland co-sponsored a Security Council resolution on Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers, which was adopted on 18 August 2021. The UNSC also adopted a Presidential Statement on technology and peacekeeping on 18 August 2021.
• The Security Council held a briefing on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorism on 19 August 2021. Ireland highlighted the need to counter the financing of terrorism (CFT). The UNSC issued a Press Statement reaffirming the Member States must ensure that CFT complies with international legal obligations.
• As co-chairs of the UNSC Informal Expert Group on WPS, Ireland and Mexico hosted a meeting with the UN team in Kabul to discuss the situation facing women in Afghanistan on 19 August 2021. Ireland and Mexico wrote to the Security Council President urging the UNSC to prioritise the rights of Afghan women and girls in any decisions on Afghanistan’s future.
• UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for peace in Ethiopia in a press briefing on 19 August 2021.

Monday – 23^rd August

• Monthly briefing on Yemen, followed by consultations. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Khaled Khiari, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore are expected to brief. General Abhijit Guha, the head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) and chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), will also brief during consultations.
• Briefing on the humanitarian situation in Haiti under “Any other business”, after the country was struck by an earthquake on 14 August and tropical storm “Grace” on 16 and 17 August. Special Representative and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Helen La Lime and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths are the expected briefers.

Tuesday – 24^th August

• Briefing, followed by consultations, on the political and humanitarian situations in Syria. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths are expected to brief. A Syrian civil society representative may also brief.

Wednesday – 25^th August

• Briefing, followed by consultations, on Iraq. Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert will brief on the most recent developments in the country and the Secretary-General’s two reports concerning UNAMI and missing Kuwaiti property and missing third party and Kuwaiti nationals.
• Quarterly briefing by the chair of the 1718 Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Sanctions Committee in closed consultations. Acting Chair of the 1718 Committee Ambassador Trine Heimerback (Norway) is the anticipated briefer.

Thursday – 26^th August

• Briefing and closed consultations on the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Secretary-General António Guterres is expected to deliver opening remarks while Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths is expected to brief in consultations.

Friday – 27^th August

• Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.