January 2025 Security Council Agenda: Unveiling What’s Ahead in Blue

Algeria holds the presidency of the Security Council this January. Earlier today (2 January), council members endorsed the provisional work programme for the month.

During its presidency, Algeria has opted to host three signature events. The first will be the quarterly open debate regarding “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ), scheduled to occur at the ministerial level this month. The anticipated chair for the meeting is Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf, with Secretary-General António Guterres expected to deliver the briefing.

At today’s press briefing concerning January’s work programme, Ambassador Amar Bendjama (Algeria) remarked that several other meetings related to the MEPQ are planned for this month. Tomorrow (3 January), a briefing will take place at Algeria’s request to address Israel’s assaults on hospitals in Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk are expected to provide the briefing. Furthermore, Algeria is looking to arrange a meeting in the third week of the month dealing with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Additionally, Russia has signaled its intention to call for a meeting this month concerning the circumstances of children in Gaza, which it has yet to formally request at the time of this writing.

The second signature event will focus on combating terrorism in Africa under the item of “Maintenance of international peace and security.” Attaf is expected to preside over this meeting as well. Anticipated briefers include Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye, and a representative from civil society. A presidential statement may be a potential outcome of this meeting.

The third signature event from Algeria will be the annual briefing regarding cooperation between the UN and the League of Arab States (LAS), which Attaf is projected to chair. Anticipated briefers include a senior UN official and LAS Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. A presidential statement is also an expected result of this gathering.

Several other issues concerning the Middle East are anticipated to be addressed in January.

The Security Council will conduct its regular monthly assembly focused on political and humanitarian issues in Syria. Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher are scheduled to provide briefings.

Moreover, the Council will convene for its monthly briefing and consultations regarding Yemen. Expected briefers include the Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher. Council members are also likely to deliberate on the continuation of the monthly reporting obligation for the Secretary-General specified in resolution 2722 dated 10 January 2024, addressing attacks by the Houthi militant group on trade and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Resolution 2739 from 27 June 2024 recently extended this reporting obligation until 15 January 2025.

This month, the Security Council intends to tackle several African matters.

On 6 January, the Council will host a briefing to review the latest report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee concerning Sudan, at the behest of Guyana and Slovenia, the Council’s co-focal points for conflict and hunger, along with the UK. The report, released on 24 December 2024, reveals that famine conditions are present in at least five areas within the country, including camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Darfur and the western Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan state.

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan will deliver the semi-annual briefing on the ICC’s activities related to Darfur.

Concerning Libya, the Council is expected to renew the authorisation for measures outlined in resolution 2146 from 19 March 2014, regarding the illegal exportation of hydrocarbons from Libya, which is set to expire on 1 February. Additionally, it is anticipated to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, which is due to expire on 15 February. Furthermore, the Council may renew the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) this month. Resolution 2755 dated 31 October 2024 extended this mission’s mandate until 31 January, with a “further automatic extension” of an additional nine months, until 31 October, should a new Special Representative and Head of UNSMIL have been appointed by 31 January.

On European matters, the Council is likely to renew the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) ahead of its expiration on 31 January. Earlier in the month, Council members are expected to meet for a briefing during consultations regarding the situation in Cyprus from Special Representative and Head of UNFICYP Colin Stewart. They will also engage in a meeting with UNFICYP troop-contributing countries, wherein Stewart is likely to participate.

Two meetings concerning the Americas are scheduled for this month.

The Security Council will hold its quarterly briefing regarding Colombia. The anticipated briefer is Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia. Following the open briefing, closed consultations are planned.

Additionally, the Council will receive a 90-day update on the situation in Haiti from Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) María Isabel Salvador, with closed consultations expected to follow the open briefing.

Other topics may arise in January based on developments in regions such as Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine.

Tags: Insights on Working Methods, Security Council Working Methods