Week 82, 1 – 5 August 2022

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 Security Council met to discuss developments in Libya, Iraq, the Middle East and Ukraine. The Council also extended the mandates of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and its arms embargo against the Central African Republic.

• On 25 July 2022, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, briefed the Council on the results of a high-level meeting, held in late June at UN Headquarters in Geneva, that generated a detailed road map aimed at enabling national elections in Libya. She informed the Council that despite that progress, the parties did not reach consensus on the eligibility requirements for presidential candidates. Ms. Pobee’s briefing also touched on the country’s dire economic situation. Ireland condemned the recent violence in Tripoli and called on all actors to preserve the fragile stability in place since the October 2020 ceasefire agreement. Ireland stated that given the crucial role of the European Union Operation IRINI in implementing the arms embargo, Ireland hopes that there will be a substantive renewal of UNSMIL’s mandate

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee

• Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), briefed the Council on 26 July 2022 on the recent attack in Dohuk Governorate in the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq which resulted in nine civilian deaths. She stressed that such an attack on civilians demonstrated a disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law. Ireland called for an investigation to identify those responsible and ensure accountability and urged all Member States to cooperate with the Iraqi Government and all other relevant authorities in support of these investigations. Ireland further stressed that, as Iraq has shown continued commitment to enhancing regional dialogue over the past year, all actors should engage in constructive dialogue now and refrain from any unilateral, provocative and escalatory actions. 
• On 26 July 2022, the Council held the quarterly Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. Lynn Hastings, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Council regarding the concerning levels of violence against civilians, illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and the continuing demolitions and seizures of Palestinian-owned structures. Ireland underlined that in the first six months of 2022, 60 Palestinians were killed and more than 5,900 injured by Israeli Security Forces and voiced concern regarding the culture of impunity for incidents of possible excessive use of force — or even potentially unlawful killings — by these forces. Ireland emphasised that Israel’s settlement activity gravely undermines the prospects of a two-State solution

Lynn Hastings

• On 27 July 2022, Osama Abdelkhalek (Egypt), former Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, presented the body’s report on its fifteenth session, detailing that the Commission has now engaged in supportive activities with 23 countries and regions, the highest since its inception. Md Monwar Hossain, represented Bangladesh as Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission. He identified the highlight of 2022 the fact that for the first time, the Commission shared its work programme with the General Assembly and the Security Council through formal communications from the Chair and stated that this is a major step towards institutionalisation of the advisory relations between the Commission and other organs of the United Nations. Ireland called for investment in conflict prevention and advocated for a coordinated response to ensure that peacebuilding activities are adequately supported and sustainably financed. Ireland also noted that the Security Council could learn lessons from the Commission in promoting the inclusion of women and young people in its work.  
• The Security Council issued a press statement by the UNSC Brazilian President Ronaldo Costa Filho on 27 July 2022, condemning the Myanmar military’s recent execution of opposition activists. The Council recalled the Secretary-General’s statement of 25 July 2022 and echoed his call for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
• On 28 July 2022, the Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 January 2023.
• On 28 July 2022, the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for three months, until 31 October 2022.

Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason

 

• On 29 July 2022, the Council met to discuss the newly signed deal to resume grain exports through Ukrainian ports. Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, underlined that the grain agreement is a sign that dialogue between the parties is possible in the search to ease human suffering and she urged the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Türkiye to work in partnership. Ireland emphasised that the full, immediate implementation of the agreement could not be more urgent and said that that is why the Russian attack on the port of Odesa less than 24 hours after the signing of the agreement was particularly cynical. Ireland underlined the irrefutable link between conflict and hunger and urged those who have been reluctant, or unwilling, to recognise this link to reconsider their position in light of this global crisis. Ireland underlined that the Russian Federation alone bears responsibility for this war and only it can end it.
• On 29 July 2022, the Security Council extended its arms embargo against the Central African Republic by 10 votes in favour and 5 abstentions.

The Week Ahead (1 - 5 August 2022)

This week marks the end of the Brazilian Presidency of the Council as China takes up the role for the month of August. There are no official meetings scheduled.

Monday – 1 August 2022

• No official meetings.

Tuesday – 2 August 2022

• No official meetings.

Wednesday – 3 August 2022

• No official meetings.

Thursday – 4 August 2022

• No official meetings.

Friday – 5 August 2022

• No official meetings.