Week 73, 30 May – 3 June 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 second and final signature event of the US Presidency took place. During its May Presidency the US successfully maintained the spotlight on issues around Conflict and Food Security, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine.  Marking UN Protection of Civilians (PoC) Week 2022, and in the aftermath of the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Ireland called an Arria-formula meeting on the protection of journalists.

• On 23 May 2022, during the second signature event of the US Presidency, the Security Council was briefed by Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, on technology and security. USG DiCarlo outlined areas where digital technologies offer boundless opportunities, including sustainable development, education and inclusion, but cautioned that advances have also created significant new risks. Ireland underlined that digital technologies have the potential to play an important role in support of peace, but highlighted that Russian State-controlled media have cultivated disinformation narratives in an attempt to create a pretext for its illegal, unjustified war in Ukraine.
• On 23 May 2022, James Swan, Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) briefed the Council in the aftermath of the long-awaited peaceful transfer of power in Somalia. Ireland commended the peaceful transition of power following the conclusion of elections on 15 May 2022 but regretted that the goal of 30 per cent representation of women in Parliament was not met.
• On 24 May 2022, Volker Perthes, the Head of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) briefed the Council, underlining that the effects of political instability, economic crisis, poor harvests, and global supply shocks are having a “disastrous” impact in Sudan. Ireland welcomed the Permanent Ceasefire Committee in Darfur but stressed the need to fully implement the National Plan on the Protection of Civilians, and the Juba Peace Agreement without delay.
• Ireland called an Arria-formula meeting, on 24 May 2022, to discuss the protection of journalists and the implementation of resolution 2222 (2015). Among the briefers were Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and opinion, and Jon Williams, Board of Directors of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Irene Khan

• A virtual roundtable event took place on 24 May 2022 on Peacekeeping Transitions, in the context of Protection of Civilians (PoC) week. Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN, gave an overview of UNSC resolution 2594, the first resolution dedicated to the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, which was initiated by Ireland in 2021.
• The Security Council held its annual Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in armed conflict on 25 May 2022. Briefers included, Robert Mardini, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and David Miliband, President of the International Rescue Committee. Ireland highlighted that in countries such as Ethiopia, Somalia, Syria, Mali and Myanmar, attacks on humanitarian workers have greatly hindered the civilian population’s access to lifesaving assistance and stressed the need for further implementation of the relevant UNSC resolutions.
• On 26 May 2022, the Security Council extended the mandates of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq; the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia; and the UN Assistance Mission in South Sudan.  

Geraldine Byrne Nason

• On 26 May 2022, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, briefed the Council on the current situation in Libya. She detailed that despite progress towards forming a new government in Libya, the political impasse remains, which threatens security and human rights. Ireland called on all actors in Libya to exercise restraint, refrain from escalation and ensure the protection of civilians.
• The Security Council met on 26 May 2022 to discuss the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Ireland called for a swift and independent investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, the reversal of Israel’s decision to construct 4,000 new settlement units in the West Bank, and for the cessation of evictions and demolitions by Israel.
• The Security Council failed to adopt a resolution on 26 May 2022, which would have tightened the sanctions regime in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, due to the use of the veto by both China and the Russian Federation. Ireland expressed deep regret at the use of the veto and reiterated that Ireland has long called for an end to veto use and reform of the Security Council.
• On 27 May 2022, the Security Council held a closed meeting on the situation in Myanmar.
• On 27 May 2022, the Council held consultations on the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The Week Ahead (30 May – 3 June 2022)

This week marks the first time in history that Albania will hold the Security Council Presidency. During its June Presidency Albania will host two signature meetings, the first of which will take place this week, an Open Debate on Accountability for violations of international law, and will be chaired by Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama.

Ferit Hoxha, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations

Monday - 30 May 2022

• No official meetings.

Tuesday – 31 May 2022

• The Council will hold consultations on Syria (political). Special Envoy to Syria, Geir O.  Pedersen, will brief the Council.

Wednesday – 1 June 2022

• No official meetings.

Thursday – 2 June 2022

• The first signature event of the Albanian June Presidency will take place in the form of an Open Debate on “Strengthening accountability for violations of international law and its impact for maintaining peace and security”. Albanian Prime Minister, Edi Rama, will chair the event.

Friday – 3 June 2022

• The Security Council is expected to renew the authorisation for States to inspect vessels on the high seas off Libya suspected of violating the UN arms embargo, thus mandating EU Operation IRINI.
• The Council is expected to renew the mandate of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS).
• Albania, together with the United Kingdom and United States, will hold an Arria-formula meeting entitled “Syrian Women's Voices on Detainees and the Disappeared in Syria”.