Week 72, 23 - 27 May 2022

Ireland and the UN Security Council – This Week

This bulletin will provide a brief analysis of last week’s meetings at the UN Security Council (UNSC), and an overview of the upcoming meetings this week.

Last week, the US convened an Open Debate on Conflict and Food Security, the first signature event of its May presidency under Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. In other meetings the Council was briefed on the most recent developments in Yemen, Haiti, Iraq, the Sahel and Syria.

• The Security Council was briefed on recent developments in Yemen on 17 May 2022, by UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Positive developments include a significant reduction in fighting, progress on humanitarian commitments and the resumption of commercial flights from Sana'a, the capital city. The UNSC urged parties to abide by and extend the two-month truce which began in April

• The Council met to discuss the situation in Haiti on 17 May 2022. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, briefed the Council on the human rights impact of the deteriorating security situation in Port-au-Prince.
• The Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, presented the Secretary-General’s latest report on key political developments and UN’s activities in Iraq since February to the UNSC on 17 May 2022. Ireland urged the relevant parties to resolve their differences and swiftly form a government, while emphasising the importance of accountability for human rights violations in Iraq. Addressing climate-related issues, Ireland warned that tensions over water resources and drought-driven migration are among the risks to cause instability.

• On 18 May 2022, the Council met to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Sahel. Briefers included Eric Tiaré, Executive Secretary of the G5 Sahel, and Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. Ireland voiced regret over the Malian transitional authorities’ decision to withdraw from the G5 Sahel and noted that the region’s immense challenges require joint action. Ireland further called for regionally-led initiatives, supported by predictable and sustainable funding, to address long-term peace and stability in the Sahel.
• The Special Rapporteur for trafficking in persons, Siobhán Mullally, briefed Women, Peace and Security experts from the United Nations Security Council on 18 May 2022.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres briefed the Security Council on conflict and food security on 19 May 2022 at the first signature event of the US presidency in May. The UNSG detailed that some 60 per cent of the world’s undernourished people live in areas affected by conflict. During the Ministerial-level Open Debate more than 75 speakers told the Security Council that a global food crisis, which was already impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, is being driven to famine levels worldwide by the war in Ukraine and the resulting lack of grain exports. Irish Minister Colm Brophy attended the debate and emphasised that conflict is now the biggest driver of hunger across the globe.
• The Council was briefed on 20 May 2022 by the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and Martin Griffiths, USG for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, on the devastating humanitarian situation in Syria. Briefers detailed that current funding is insufficient to meet increasing humanitarian needs in Syria.   Norway, speaking also on behalf of Ireland, as co-facilitators of the Syria humanitarian file, called upon all parties to support cross-line deliveries to all parts of Syria, de-politicize aid deliveries, and grant the necessary security guarantees to ensure the safe passage of cross-line convoys and their personnel. 

The Week Ahead (16 – 20 May 2022)

This week, the second signature event of the US presidency will focus on technology and security issues. The Security Council will also hold its annual Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians (PoC) in armed conflict.

Monday - 23 May 2022

• The Council will hold a briefing on ‘Maintenance of international peace and security: Technology and Security’, the second signature event of the US presidency, which will be chaired by the US Permanent Representative, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
• The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in Somalia and the activities of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), ahead of the Mission’s mandate renewal.

Tuesday – 24 May 2022

• The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in Sudan and the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).

Wednesday – 25 May 2022

• The Security Council will hold its annual Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians (PoC) in armed conflict. The UN Secretary-General, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and a civil society representative are expected to brief.

Thursday - 26 May 2022

• The Council will hold its monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, will brief the Council.
• The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and on the Libya sanctions regime.

Friday – 27 May 2022

• The Council will hold consultations on Syria (Chemical Weapons). UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, will brief the Council.
• The Council will hold consultations on the 1718 DPRK sanctions committee.