Week 59, 21 - 25 February 2022

Ireland and the UN Security Council – This Week

Last week, the Security Council held meetings on Somalia, regional co-operation with the UN, Ukraine, and Haiti. Irish Major General (Ret’d) Michael Beary briefed the Security Council for the first time in his capacity as Head of the Hudaydah Agreement and the UNMHA Mission (Yemen). The situation in Ukraine continued to overshadow events at the Council. In her statement at the meeting on Ukraine, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason defended Ukraine’s ‘fundamental right’ to sovereignty and independence. A round up of the week’s key meetings and developments can be found below.

• The Security Council adopted a resolution renewing the mandate of the Sudan Sanction’s Panel of Experts on 15 February 2022.
• The Security Council held a meeting on the political and humanitarian situation Somalia on 15 February 2022. Ireland called on Somali authorities to finalise elections.
• In his new role as the Head of the Hudaydah Agreement and the UNMHA Mission (Yemen), Major General (Ret’d) Michael Beary briefed the Security Council for the first time on the situation on the ground on 15 February 2022.
• In the second signature event of Russia’s UNSC Presidency on co-operation between the UN and regional organisations on 16 February 2022, Ireland expressed its appreciation for regional level engagement with the UN.
• In a Security Council meeting on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements on 17 February 2022, Ireland reiterated its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following the meeting, Ireland joined France, Germany, Estonia, Albania, and Norway in a joint press stakeout to reiterate full support for the independence, sovereignty & territorial integrity of Ukraine.
• The Security Council held a meeting on the situation in Haiti on 18 February 2022. Ireland expressed concern at the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation.

The Week Ahead

This week, the Security Council will hold meetings on the situation in the Central African Republic, Israel-Palestine, Iraq, and Syria. There may also be ad hoc meetings on Libya, Mali, and Ukraine, depending on developments in these countries. Ireland’s Permanent Representatives to the UN in New York and Geneva will brief the Security Council this week. Ambassador Michael Gaffey will brief the Council on the work of the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) in his capacity as UNCC Governing President. Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason will brief the Council on the work of the Somalia Sanctions Committee in her capacity as Chair. Elsewhere in the UN, the International Labour Organization Global Forum starts on Tuesday 22 February in Geneva. Finally, UNESCO will hold an event at UN Headquarters today to celebrate International Mother Language Day.

Monday – 21 February 2022 

• No official meetings.

Tuesday – 22 February 2022 

• The Security Council will meet for a briefing, followed by consultations, on the Central African Republic (CAR). Special Representative for the CAR and head of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) Mankeur Ndiaye and Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) João Caholo are expected to brief.
• The Security Council will receive a briefing on the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) from Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN and other International Organisations in Geneva, Michael Gaffey, the UNCC Governing Council President. The UNCC was created by the Security Council to process claims and pay compensation for losses and damage suffered as a direct result of Iraq’s invasion and occupation of Kuwait. Security Council members may also vote on a draft resolution on the completion of the UNCC’s work during the week

Wednesday – 23 February 2022

• The Security Council will convene for a briefing and consultations 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.

Thursday – 24 February 2022

• There will be an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the situation in Iraq. Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert will brief on recent developments in Iraq and the Secretary-General’s reports on UNAMI and the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-party nationals and missing Kuwaiti property.
• The Security Council will hear the periodic briefing by the Chair of the 751 Somalia Sanctions Committee, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the UN, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, on the committee’s work.

Friday – 25 February 2022  

• The Security Council is scheduled to vote on two draft resolutions: one renewing the mandate of the committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (non-proliferation) and its Group of Experts and another renewing the 2140 Yemen sanctions regime. 
• There will be a briefing, followed by consultations, on political and humanitarian developments in Syria. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen is expected to brief via videoconference on the political situation, while an OCHA representative will likely brief on the humanitarian track.