All open meetings of the Security Council (briefings and debates) can be watched on UN Web TV: http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/, which also includes a running schedule for the day.
China holds the Council presidency in May. Events in next period at the Council are as follows:
Monday 10 May
The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL (UNITAD). UNITAD’s core mandate is to support Iraqi domestic efforts to hold ISIL/Da’esh accountable for crimes it committed in the country “by collecting, preserving, and storing evidence in Iraq of acts that may amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide”.
Tuesday 11 May
The Council will hold its quarterly briefing and consultations on Iraq/UNAMI, in advance of the mandate renewal scheduled for 27 May.
Thursday 12 May
The Council will hold its monthly briefing and consultations on the humanitarian and political situation in Yemen.
Monday 17 May
China will hold an informal meeting on “The Impact of Emerging Technologies on International Peace and Security”. The focus of the meeting will be on the impact of emerging technologies on international peace and security, and efforts to prevent and mitigate the potential risks and conflicts caused by their application or abuse.
Tuesday 18 May
The Council will be briefed on activities of the Joint Force of the G5 Sahel (FC-G5S), which Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger established in 2017 to enhance the efficacy of regional counterterrorism missions and the fight against trans-border criminal activities.
Wednesday 19 May
The Council will hold an open debate on “Peace and security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa”. This is China’s second signature event and will be chaired by FM Yi.
Thursday 20 May
The Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the situation in Sudan.
Monday 24 May
The Council will hold an open debate on UN Peacekeeping Operations: Improving Safety and Security of Peacekeepers.
Background
Ireland began its two-year term on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021. Elected by the UN General Assembly, we have been entrusted with a significant responsibility to help maintain and promote international peace and security.
Ireland’s tenure on the Council is being guided by three principles: Building Peace, Strengthening Conflict Prevention, and Ensuring Accountability. These principles are at the heart of the Security Council’s mandate to maintain international peace and security.
Elected Council members take on a number of leadership roles during their terms, including chairing Sanctions Committees and thematic Working Groups and acting as primary drafters (penholders) of certain Security Council Resolutions. Ireland’s roles include:
- Facilitator for UN Security Council Resolution 2231, on the Iran Nuclear Agreement, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action).
- Chair of the Somalia Sanctions Committee.
- Co-chair of the Security Council Informal Expert Group on Women, Peace and Security (with Mexico).
- Co-chair of the Security Council Informal Expert Group on Climate and Security (with Niger).
- Co-penholder, with Norway, on the Syria humanitarian file.
- Co-penholder, with Niger, on the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
- Informal focal point on Hunger and Conflict, with Niger.
Ireland is serving as an elected member of the UN Security Council from 2021-2022. This will be Ireland’s fourth term on the Council, having previously served in 1961, 1981-1982, and 2001-2002. Ireland’s term as a Security Council member began on 1 January 2021, having been elected by the General Assembly on 17 June 2020.
You can find out more about our work at the UN at https://www.dfa.ie/pmun/newyork
ENDS
Press Office
7 May 2021