Week 95, 31 October – 4 November 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 UN celebrated United Nations Day, marking the 77^th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN charter on 24 October 1945. In the final week of Gabon’s Presidency of the Security Council, the UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 2655 (2022), extending the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia for one year. The Council was also briefed on Libya, Syria and the Middle East Peace Process, including the Palestinian Question.

• On 24 October 2022, the Security Council, Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), briefed the Security Council for the first time since becoming Head of the Mission on 25 September 2022. He reported that, despite significant differences on how Libyans want to overcome the current crisis, they are near unanimous in their condemnation of the presence of mercenaries and foreign interference in the country’s affairs.  He called on the Council to urge Libyan actors to work together towards elections, stressing that the solution to the crisis must be based on the will of the Libyan people. Ireland highlighted the troubling human rights situation in the country, emphasising that women were expressly targeted for their activism, while migrants, refugees and children were among those held in dire detention conditions. Ireland reiterated support for a renewal of the Mission’s mandate for the standard 12-month duration.

 

Abdoulaye Bathily

• On 25 October 2022, Geir O. Pedersen, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, briefed the Security Council, against the backdrop of political stalemate and a worsening security and humanitarian situation. The Special Envoy called on all parties to protect civilians and to strive for a complete nationwide ceasefire as the Syrian people face another winter surrounded by armed conflict. Ireland, speaking also on behalf of Norway in their capacity as the Council’s co-penholders on the Syria humanitarian file, called on all parties to support crossline deliveries, including by providing timely security guarantees.  Noting that the cross-border operation is a critical lifeline, Ireland further called on the Council to work together to confirm the continuation of the highly-monitored operation at Bab al-Hawa.
• On 26 October 2022, Xia Huang, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, briefed the Council on the deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He detailed efforts that he will prioritize in the coming months, including strengthened bilateral coordination, including in matters of security, tackling the illicit extraction of natural resources, and promoting the participation of women in election processes and bodies. Ireland, noting that conflict and hunger continue to exist in a vicious cycle with several countries in the region facing high levels of food insecurity, stressed that all parties must ensure the safety and security of humanitarian personnel and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.
• On 27 October 2022, commending Colombia’s commitment to the peace process, the Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2655 (2022), extending the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia for one year.
• On 27 October 2022, Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, detailed to the Council that the Russian Federation has filed an official complaint in line with the provisions of article VI of the Biological Weapons Convention regarding allegations of biological weapons programmes in Ukraine. Mr Ebo reiterated that the United Nations is unaware of any such biological weapons programmes, he also pointed out that the Organisation currently has neither the mandate nor the technical or operational capacity to investigate this. Ireland emphasised that no substantive or credible evidence has been presented to support the Russian Federation’s allegations and that such allegations risk undermining essential multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation instruments. Ireland also said that the actions of the Russian Federation constitute an attack on legitimate cooperation and research supporting public health in Ukraine and in other countries around the world.

Adedeji Ebo

• On 27 October 2022, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, briefed the Council on progress in implementing resolution 2046 (2012). She detailed that while Sudan and South Sudan have improved relations through regular bilateral meetings, each country’s priority are on domestic issues. She stressed that Sudan and South Sudan must continue their political engagement for implementing security and administrative arrangements in Abyei. Ireland noted that the humanitarian situation in Abyei is being worsened by frequent outbreaks of violence and insecurity, as well as ongoing sexual and gender-based violence, and stressed that such conditions make it more urgent for Sudan and South Sudan to find a mutually agreed solution.

Hanna Serwaa Tetteh

• On 28 October 2022, Tor Wennesland, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Council, detailing that 2022 is on course to be the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs began systematically tracking Palestinian fatalities in 2005. Highlighting that children continue to be the victims of violence, he reiterated that perpetrators of all such acts must be held accountable and said that security forces must exercise maximum restraint. Ireland emphasized the need for de-escalation and protection of civilians, pointing to the sharp deterioration in the security situation in the occupied West Bank, as well as concerns about excessive use of force by Israeli security forces. Ireland also called for an independent investigation into the killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

The Week Ahead (31 October – 4 November 2022)

This week, Ghana commences its month-long Presidency of the Security Council. Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will brief the Council. The Council will host a high-level open debate on ‘Integrating Effective Resilience Building in Peace Operations for Sustainable Peace’, which will be chaired by the Ghanaian Foreign Minister.

Monday – 31 October 2022

• No official meetings.

Tuesday – 1 November 2022

• No official meetings.

Wednesday – 2 November 2022

• The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, will deliver his annual briefing to the Council.
• The Council is expected to renew the authorisation of EUFOR Althea (the EU-led military Operation) and will also hold its semi-annual debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Thursday – 3 November 2022

• Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, will chair a high-level open debate on ‘Integrating Effective Resilience Building in Peace Operations for Sustainable Peace. The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, African Union Commissioner, H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, and Security Council Report Executive Director, Karin Landgren, are confirmed briefers. Mary Robinson is also expected to brief. Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D. will represent Ireland at the debate.

Friday – 4 November 2022

• An Elders Breakfast will take place, this will be chaired by the Permanent Representative of Ghana. Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-Moon, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, and Ernesto Zedillo will represent the Elders.