Week 8: 22-26 February 2021

Recent developments at the UNSC

• Malnutrition rates in Yemen are at “record highs” as the country is “speeding towards the worst famine the world has seen in decades”, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator told the Security Council on Thursday 18 February. Special Envoy Griffiths said that the military situation is “extremely tense” and underscored that civilians are bearing the brunt of “shocking violations of international humanitarian law”.
• UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres briefed the Munich Security Conference on Friday 19 February and called for vaccine equity and support for the COVAX initiative. He also highlighted the looming “climate catastrophe” and the urgency of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. US President Joe Biden also addressed the conference for the first time as President and reasserted US support for the transatlantic alliance.
• The US formally re-entered the Paris Agreement on Friday 19 February. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres commemorated the event with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry.
• UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed grave concern on Friday 19 February over an outbreak of violence in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.
• At least two people were killed on Saturday 20 February in protests in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, according to media reports. Antonio Guterres condemned the use of deadly violence and called on all parties to respect election results and return to civilian rule.

Monday – 22^nd February

• Briefing, followed by VTC consultations, on Somalia. Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) James Swan, AU Special Representative Francisco Madeira and EU Managing Director for Africa Rita Laranjinha are expected to brief UNSC members.
• Briefing, followed by a closed VTC, on the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of BINUH Helen La Lime is scheduled to brief.

Tuesday – 23^rd February

• High level open debate on Climate and Security. Prior to the meeting, David Attenborough will deliver a brief pre-recorded message. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to chair the meeting. Secretary-General António Guterres and a youth climate activist are expected to brief.

Wednesday – 24^th February

• Briefing, followed by VTC consultations, on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, EU Managing Director for Africa Rita Laranjinha, and a youth civil society representative will brief. AU Peace and Security Commissioner Smaїl Chergui may brief as well.

Thursday – 25^th February

• Adoption of two resolutions: one renewing Yemen financial and travel ban sanctions and the mandate of the Yemen Panel of Experts, and another renewing the Council’s authorisation of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
• Briefing, followed by VTC consultations, on the humanitarian situation in Syria. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock is likely to brief.
• Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, chair of the 751 Somalia Sanctions Committee, is expected to brief via VTC on this Committee’s work.

Friday – 26^th February

• Monthly meeting 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.