Week 60, 28 February - 4 March 2022

Ireland and the UN Security Council – This Week

Last week, the Security Council held emergency talks in response to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine which commenced in the early hours of the morning on Thursday 24 February 2022. Despite calls for de-escalation and diplomacy, Russia continued its military assault against Ukraine and vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning its military actions in the country. According to the UN, there have been multiple civilian casualties and more than 400,000 people have fled Ukraine. Meanwhile, more than 2000 people have been arrested in anti-war protests around Russia. A round up of the week’s key meetings and developments can be found below.

• The Security Council agreed press elements on the situation in Haiti on 18 February 2022 which called for continued international support for the people of Haiti.
• Minister Simon Coveney issued a statement on the decision of the Russian Federation to recognise the separatist territories in Ukraine on 21 February 2021. He stressed Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• The Security Council held an emergency meeting on the situation in Ukraine on 22 February 2022. Ireland called for calm, de-escalation and the pursuit of diplomacy.
• Ambassador Michael Gaffey briefed the Security Council in his capacity as President of the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC), which was established 31 years ago to provide a fund for losses and damages that resulted from Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1991. The Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2621 terminating the mandate of the Commission.
• The Security Council received a briefing from Tor Wennesland on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 23 February 2022. Ireland called for Israeli security forces to be held accountable for the excessive uses of force.
• The UN General Assembly held a meeting on the situation in Ukraine on 23 February 2022. Ireland reiterated Ireland’s steadfast support for Ukraine and urged Russia to respect the UN Charter, to reverse its decision to recognise the occupied territories, and to return to the negotiation table.
• The Security Council held a meeting on the situation in Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Ireland reiterated that it stands with the people of Ukraine and called on Russia to respect the UN Charter.
• The Security Council received a briefing from Special Envoy Geir Pedersen on political developments in Syria on 25 February 2022. As co-penholder on the Syria humanitarian file with Norway, Ireland expressed its support for all humanitarian aid modalities.
• Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning the unprovoked and illegal attack on Ukraine on 25 February 2022.

The Week Ahead

This week, the Security Council will continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and will likely hold a meeting on the humanitarian situation on the ground early in the week. The UN Human Rights Council will hold an urgent debate on the situation in Ukraine at the request of the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN in Geneva. Diplomatic talks will take place between Russia and Ukraine on the Belarus-Ukraine border this week.

Monday – 28 February 2022 

• Possible Security Council briefing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
• Security Council members are expected to vote on a resolution renewing the Yemen financial and travel ban sanctions, and the mandate of the Yemen Panel of Experts.
• There will be a briefing, followed by consultations, on the Syria chemical weapons file. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu is expected to brief.

Tuesday – 1 March 2022

• The United Arab Emirates assumes the monthly Presidency of the Security Council. The Security Council expects to adopt the provisional programme of work.

Wednesday – 2 March 2022

• The Security Council will receive a briefing, followed by consultations, on the situation in Afghanistan and the work of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Deborah Lyons, the Special Representative and head of UNAMA, and a civil society representative are the anticipated briefers.

Thursday – 3 March 2022

• The Security Council is likely to meet with troop-contributing countries of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Friday – 4 March 2022

• There will be a meeting of the Military Staff Committee.