Week 61, 7  - 11 March 2022

Ireland and the UN Security Council – This Week

Last week, the war in Ukraine continued to dominate events at the UN. The Security Council held two meetings on developments on the ground. Following on from Russia’s decision to veto a Security Council resolution last week, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russian aggression, with 141 votes in favour. Elsewhere, in his address to the Human Rights Council, Minister Simon Coveney condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called on HRC members to act. As a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the HRC voted to establish an independent international commission of inquiry.

• The General Assembly held an emergency special session on Ukraine on 28 February 2022. Ireland called on Russia to immediately cease hostilities, unconditionally withdraw from Ukraine, and to allow unhindered humanitarian access. 94 UN Member States co-sponsored the resolution condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine, which was passed with 141 votes in favour.
• The Security Council held a meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine on 28 February 2022. Ireland urged Russia to protect all civilians in Ukraine and to uphold its obligations under International Humanitarian Law.
• The Security Council issued a Press Statement on Iraq/Kuwait on 1 March 2022 which welcomed cooperation between Iraq and Kuwait and the commitment of the Iraqi government to return all remaining Kuwaiti property.
• Ireland joined a statement with 13 states expressing grave concern at Russian orders to increase the readiness of its nuclear arsenal on 2 March 2022.
• Ireland joined with 37 States Parties in referring the Situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court on 2 March 2022.
• The Security Council held a meeting on the situation in Afghanistan on 3 March 2022. Ireland emphasised that the future of UN engagement in Afghanistan must ensure a commitment to women’s rights, prioritise the humanitarian crisis, and focus on the protection and promotion of human rights.
• The UN Human Rights Council voted to establish an independent international commission of inquiry as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on 4 March 2022.
• The Security Council held a meeting on Russia’s attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on 4 March 2022. Ireland strongly condemned the attack and called on Russia to immediately cease military activity in the area.

The Week Ahead

This week, the Security Council will continue to monitor developments in Ukraine and will hold a briefing on the deteriorating humanitarian situation with the USG for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, on Monday. The UAE will hold two signature events this week, the first an open debate on Women, Peace, and Security, and the second a ministerial level Arria-formula meeting on climate finance for sustaining peace and security. There will also be meetings on South Sudan and Syria.

Monday – 7 March 2022

• There will be a briefing, followed by consultations, on South Sudan. Special Representative and head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Nicholas Haysom will brief on the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on UNMISS. An Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) representative and a civil society representative may also brief.
• There will be a briefing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, at the request of Albania and the US. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths and a UNICEF representative are expected to brief.

Tuesday – 8 March 2022

• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will organise an open debate on Women, Peace and Security, which will focus on enabling public-private partnerships to contribute to women’s economic empowerment in conflict-affected and fragile settings. UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri is expected to chair the meeting.

Wednesday – 9 March 2022

• The UAE will organise an in-person ministerial level Arria-formula meeting on “Climate finance for sustaining peace and security”.

Thursday – 10 March 2022

• There will be an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on the Syria chemical weapons track. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu will brief.

Friday – 11 March 2022

• Russia will organise an Arria formula meeting on terrorism.