Week 9: 1-5 March 2021

Recent developments at the UNSC

• The US will have the Presidency of the Security Council this month for the first time under the Biden administration and will hold a high-level open debate on conflict and food security as its signature event with the Secretary-General as a possible briefer.
• Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the UN, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun ended his General Assembly address on Friday 26 February by denouncing the 1 February coup with a three-fingered salute used by protesters, after the latest violence against protestors in Myanmar. The military regime swiftly responded by dismissing the Ambassador, accusing him of committing “high treason”.
• In a UNSC briefing on Somalia on Monday 22 February, Special Representative and Head of the UN Assistance Mission (UNSOM), James Swan, noted that political tensions were threatening Somalia’s State-building progress and called on all political leaders to pull back from confrontation.
• In a high level open debate on climate and security on Tuesday 23 February, Council members were briefed by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and natural historian David Attenborough, who both highlighted the need for more collective action to address the risks posed by climate change to global peace and security.
• Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed the Security Council on Friday 26 February on the increasingly fragile humanitarian situation in Syria. According to data published by the WFP, 60% of the Syrian population do not have access to safe and nutritious food.

Monday – 1^st March

• Adoption of the provisional programme of work for March. All Council meetings are likely to be held virtually.

Tuesday – 2^nd March

• Meeting with troop-contributing countries of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
• The Informal Experts Group on Women, Peace and Security, which is co-chaired by Ireland and Mexico, is scheduled to hold a meeting on Yemen.

Wednesday – 3^rd March

• Briefing, followed by consultations, on UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Thursday – 4^th March

• Briefing, followed by consultations, on the Syria chemical weapons file. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu is likely to brief.

Friday – 5^th March

• The 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee will discuss the final report of its Panel of Experts.