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 was briefed after the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea test-fired what it described as a new-type intercontinental ballistic missile. Then the Council was presented with the Secretary-General’s report on the situation of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea. Meetings were also held on the situations in Yemen and Ukraine.

• On 21 November 2022, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, briefed the Security Council after the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-fired what it described as a new-type intercontinental ballistic missile, named the Hwasong-17. USG DiCarlo stressed that the DPRK must take immediate steps to resume dialogue, cease its provocative actions and fully comply with its international obligations. Noting that this meeting marked the tenth time that the Council had met to discuss the DPRK in 2022, she underlined that unity in the Council is critical. Ireland expressed concern that the Council has not responded to the DPRK’s eight intercontinental ballistic missile launches, with two members blocking statements and vetoing a proportionate and balanced resolution.

Rosemary DiCarlo

• Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, presented the Secretary-General’s report on the situation of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, on 22 November 2022, noting that such incidents have continued to decrease. Ireland voiced concern that the hiring of private military and security companies to provide maritime security elevates the risk of human rights violations, stressing that suppressing piracy must be done in accordance with international law. 

 

Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee

• On 22 November 2022, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, briefed the Council on recent attacks by the Houthi militia in two Yemeni cities. The Special Envoy said that the attacks risk triggering a military escalation and could further worsen a dire humanitarian situation, he called on the parties to exercise restraint and urgently agree to renew the nationwide truce that expired on 2 October 2022. Ireland urged all parties to refrain from reckless actions and emphasised that diverse Yemeni women must be included in a negotiated and inclusive Yemeni-led settlement.  Ireland also called on the international community to address humanitarian funding gaps during the cold winter months and to not lose sight of the need for accountability.

 

Hans Grundberg

• On 23 November 2022, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, reported to the Council that widespread attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure are continuing across Ukraine, with devastating consequences. She emphasised that such attacks are contrary to international law. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, addressed the Council via tele-videoconference and detailed how temperatures in Ukraine are below zero and tens of millions of people have been left without heat and water as a result of Russian missiles hitting energy facilities. Ireland, condemned the Russian Federation’s use of energy as “a weapon of war” and reiterated that attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects are war crimes. Ireland highlighted the “Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians”, which 83 countries adopted in Dublin last week at the Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) conference, organised by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, and called for parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law.

The Week Ahead (25 November -2 December 2022)

This week, India will take over the Security Council Presidency for the month of December, replacing Ghana. Meetings will be held on the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, Lebanon, and Syria.

Monday – 28 November 2022

• The Council will hold its monthly meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. Special Coordinator, Tor Wennesland, is expected to brief and will likely provide updates on the precarious security situation across the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, and progress in the implementation of a peace process.
• The Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, and Under Secretary General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, are expected to brief the Council in closed consultations on the 1701 Report on Lebanon.

Tuesday – 29 November 2022

• The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, will brief the Council on the Syria political file, focusing on developments on the ground. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, will brief on the Syria humanitarian file, likely focusing on the implementation of resolution 2642 and associated challenges, including severe underfunding and the rapidly approaching winter. The humanitarian statement will be delivered by Norway this month (Ireland and Norway are co-penholders on the Syria Humanitarian file).

Wednesday – 30 November 2022

• No official meetings.

Thursday – 1 December 2022

• No official meetings.

Friday – 2 December 2022

• No official meetings.