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Highlights 2021

 

Highlights Of Security Council Practice 2021

Barbara Woodward speaks with Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

UN Photo / Manuel Elías Barbara Woodward (left), Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, speaks with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Permanent Representative of the United States, after the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. 28 July 2021.

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In 2021, the Council was composed of China, Estonia, France, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Niger, Norway, Russian Federation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, and Viet Nam. In 2021, the Security Council progressively returned to pre-pandemic patterns of activity, overcoming some of the difficulties faced in 2020.

Introduction

In 2021, the Council was composed of its five permanent members (China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States), as well as ten non-permanent members, namely Estonia, India, Ireland, Kenya, Niger, Norway, Mexico, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, and Viet Nam.

Among the ten non-permanent members, Estonia, Niger, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, and Viet Nam completed their two-year tenure at the end of 2021, which was marked by a newly introduced lowering of the flag ceremony by the outgoing members, held on 31 December 2021 at the initiative of Viet Nam.

Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined the Security Council on 1 January 2022. Consolidating a practice initiated by Kazakhstan in 2017, the new incoming members participated in the flag raising ceremony on 4 January 2022.

Faced with the continued challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021, the Security Council did not hold in-person meetings until 25 May 2021 and conducted its business following a hybrid model, alternating videoconferences and in-person meetings to ensure the continuity of the Council’s functioning. While during the first half of the year, most of the Council discussions were held via videoconference, during the second half of the year, the Council was able to return to the Security Council Chamber and hold in-person meetings. Indeed, as of June 2021 and until the end of the year, Council members held nearly all meetings in person and occasionally held videoconferences, as necessary.

Given the continued impact of COVID-19, successive presidencies in 2021 continued to issue monthly letters regulating the working methods for the functioning of the Council, virtually and in person. In addition, 11 out of 12 presidencies informally circulated monthly commitments to enhance the implementation of the working methods agreed upon in the presidential note of 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507) and the various notes by the President adopted in 2019 and 2021.

In 2021, the Council progressively returned to pre-pandemic patterns of activity with a total of 164 public and private meetings and 147 videoconferences (90 open and 57 closed). In addition, the Council experienced an exponential increase in the participation of high-level representatives in its discussions, with a total of 29 high-level meetings and open videoconferences, compared to 19 in 2020, and only 18 meetings in 2019. Importantly, in 2021, the Council resumed the holding of open debates with the participation in person of the wider membership. The first such open debate was held on 21 October 2021 under the agenda item “Women and peace and security”.

In 2021, the Council also renewed its invitations to the presidents of other UN principal organs. On 7 May, the Council invited the President of the General Assembly to provide a briefing in an open videoconference in connection with the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security” focused on upholding multilateralism and the United Nations-centred international system. On 16 November 2021 and under the same agenda item, the Council invited the Secretary-General and the Presidents of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to provide briefings specifically on the sub-item “Peace and security through preventive diplomacy: a common objective to all the principal organs of the United Nations”.

In 2021, the Security Council considered a total of 42 agenda items in meetings and Council members considered 31 agenda items in the context of open videoconferences resulting in a combined total of 45 agenda items. In 2021, the Council deleted the following items from its agenda: General issues relating to sanctions, The situation in Côte d’Ivoire and Briefing by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, as described in the summary statement by the Secretary-General.

For the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Security Council conducted a visiting mission to the Sahel. Co-led by France, Kenya and Niger, the Council sent a mission to Mali and Niger, from 23 to 25 October.

In terms of decisions, in 2021, the Council adopted 57 resolutions and issued 24 presidential statements. With regard to the latter, it registered a considerable increase of this type of decisions, close to a twofold increase with respect to 2020.

In 2021, the Council unanimously adopted a number of important thematic resolutions. On 26 February 2021, by resolution 2565 (2021), the Council called for the strengthening of national and multilateral approaches and international cooperation, such as the COVAX facility for increased COVID-19 vaccine access. By resolution 2573 (2021), adopted on 27 April 2021, the Council strongly condemned attacks in situations of armed conflict directed against civilians or civilian objects, resulting in the deprivation to the civilian population of objects indispensable to their survival as flagrant violations of international humanitarian law. By resolution 2589 (2021), adopted on 18 August 2021, the Council called on Member States to promote accountability for the killing of and all acts of violence against United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations. The Council also adopted resolution 2594 (2021) on 9 September 2021, emphasizing the need for peace operations to engage on transitions at the earliest possible stage in integrated planning and coordination with the Resident Coordinators, United Nations Country Team, other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes as well as the host State. By resolution 2601 (2021), adopted on 29 October 2021, the Council called on all parties to safeguard, protect, respect, and promote the right to education, including in armed conflict, and reaffirmed its contribution to the achievement of peace and security.

In 2021, the Council also issued notable thematic presidential statements. At the outset of the year, in January 2021, the Council issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/1), marking the 20th anniversary of resolution 1373 (2001), which established the Counter Terrorism Committee. The Council issued three presidential statements (S/PRST/2021/2, S/PRST/2021/3 and S/PRST/2021/16), in January, February and August 2021, encouraging cooperation with regional organizations such as the League of Arab States, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the G5 Sahel and the African Union. In November 2021, the Council issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/23), emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to sustaining peace and expressing its continued commitment to foster interaction on regular basis with the General Assembly, ECOSOC, ICJ, and the Secretariat, in particular on matters relating to preventive diplomacy tools and mechanisms.

In 2021, the Council adopted by acclamation resolution 2580 (2021), recommending to the General Assembly that Mr. António Guterres be appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations for a second term of office. As provided for in the provisional rules of procedure and consistent with previous practice, the resolution was adopted in a private meeting on 8 June 2021. On 18 June 2021, the General Assembly adopted resolution 75/286 effectively appointing Mr. António Guterres as Secretary-General of the United Nations for a term of office beginning on 1 January 2022 and ending on 31 December 2026.

Meetings

Meetings of the Security Council are governed by Article 28 of the Charter of the United Nations, and rules 1-5 and 48 of its Provisional Rules of Procedure. Under its current practice, the Council convenes meetings, which are classified as either public or private. Council members also frequently meet in informal consultations of the whole (also known as consultations). In 2021, in response to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Council members agreed to maintain a combination of videoconferences and in-person meetings initiated in 2020 to ensure the continuity of the Council’s work.

 

UN Photo / Loey Felipe A wide view of the Security Council meeting on Non-proliferation. 14 December 2021.

In 2021, the Council held, on average, 24 videoconferences per month in the first half of the year and 22 meetings per month in the second half. The Council held a total of 150 public meetings and 90 open videoconferences, which combined amounted to a total of 240. In addition, in 2021 the total number of informal consultations and closed videoconferences amounted to 124.

164 public and
private meetings
90 open
videoconferences
 
67 consultations
57 closed
videoconferences

Overview

In 2021, the Council continued to function with a “hybrid model” through both videoconferences and in-person meetings. Out of 147 videoconferences held, a majority (98%) of videoconferences were held during the first half of the year. From January to June, Council members held an average of 24 videoconferences per month. Of the 147 videoconferences, Council members held 90 open videoconferences and 57 closed videoconferences. Two closed videoconferences were held with TCCs/PCCs.

With the stabilization of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York, the Council was able to progressively return to holding meetings in person. On 25 May 2021, the Council resumed its in-person meetings in the Security Council Chamber, starting with the 8779th meeting (S/PV.8779); the first one since 7 December 2020 (S/PV.8778). As of June 2021, the Council conducted most of its work in-person and in July 2021, the Council held all meetings in person for the first time since February 2020. Out of 164 meetings held, a majority (80%) of meetings were held during the second half of the year. From July to the end of the year, Council members held an average of 22 meetings per month. In 2021, the Council held a total of 150 public meetings and 14 private meetings, eight of which were held with troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs). The rest of private meetings were held in relation to the following topics: Myanmar (three), Haiti, the appointment of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and annual briefing by the President of the International Court of Justice (one respectively).

Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramirez, Permanent Representative of Mexico and President of the Security Council for the month of November

UN Photo / Loey Felipe Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramirez, Permanent Representative of Mexico and President of the Security Council for the month of November, draws lots for voting on the election of a member of the International Court of Justice. 5 November 2021.

Chart 1a Number of Security Council meetings, VTCs and consultations 1946-2021

Chart showing the Number of Security Council meetings and consultations by year 1946-2021

* Informal consultations of the whole were held since the inception of the Security Council. This chart only includes data on informal consultations of the whole from 1988 onwards since prior records are not verifiable.

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 1a

Chart 1b Number of Security Council meetings, VTCs and consultations 2012-2021

Chart showing the Number of Security Council meetings and consultations by year 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 1b

Meetings, consultations, and VTCs

UN Photo / Evan Schneider Security Council members hold an open debate in connection with Peace and security in Africa: addressing root causes of conflict while promoting post-pandemic recovery in Africa. 19 May 2021.

In 2021, the Council held a total of 150 public meetings and 90 open videoconferences. In the first half of the year, the Council held, on average, five public meetings and 15 open videoconferences per month, while in the second half of the year, the average was 20 public meetings versus less than one open videoconference per month. In addition, in 2021, the Council held a total of 14 private meetings; eight of which were held with troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs); three private meetings on Myanmar; one private meeting on Haiti; one private meeting on the appointment of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and one private meeting to hear an annual briefing from the President of the International Court of Justice. All private meetings were held as of June 2021. Finally, in 2021, Council members held 67 informal consultations and 57 closed videoconferences. Two closed videoconferences were held with troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs). On average, Council members held two consultations and 10 closed videoconferences per month from January to June 2021, and nine consultations per month and no closed videoconferences from July to December 2021.

Chart 2 Number of Security Council meetings, VTCs and consultations by month in 2021

Chart showing the Number of Security Council meetings and consultations by month in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 2

In 2021, the Council continued to witness the coalescing of Council members around policy goals, regions and thematic items, such as the A3+1 or the “WPS Presidency Trio”

List of Members of the Security Council for 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD

In 2021, the Council continued to witness the coalescing of Council members around policy goals, regions and thematic items. In January and February 2021, Tunisia and the United Kingdom joined forces to launch the so-called “New Year Resolutions” focusing on promoting efficiency and more interactive discussions of peace and security challenges in the Security Council. Continuing with the same approach followed in 2020, the A3+1 (Kenya, Niger and Tunisia (A3) together with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) delivered joint statements to the Council at 53 public meetings and open videoconferences, on country-specific agenda items focusing on the African region and thematic agenda items such as UN peacekeeping operations and children and armed conflict. Similarly, the A3+1 aligned their approach to working methods, proposing collective monthly commitments. In addition, between the months of September and November, Ireland, Kenya and Mexico, went one step further and aligned their working methods as the Presidencies of the Security Council in what they termed the “WPS Presidency Trio”, mainstreaming the Women, and peace and security agenda into their respective monthly programmes of work. This same approach to working methods was also embraced by the Presidency of Niger in December.

High-level meetings and VTCs

In 2021, the Council held 12 high-level meetings and 17 high-level videoconferences, in which two or more Council members were represented at ministerial level or above. This was a very significant increase with respect to the past high-level participation in Council proceedings, facilitated by the ability of high-level representatives to participate remotely. The topics of high-level meetings and videoconferences varied greatly and included both thematic and country-specific items. Council members held seven high-level videoconferences and two high-level meetings in connection with the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security”, focusing on a wide variety of themes such as “Challenges of maintaining peace and security in fragile contexts” (6 January 2021), “Implementation of resolution 2532 (2020)” (17 February 2021), “Climate and security” (23 February and 23 September 2021), “Food security” (11 March 2021), “Mine action” (8 April 2021), “Upholding multilateralism and the UN-centered international system” (7 May 2021), “Maritime security” (9 August 2021), “Exclusion, inequality, and conflict” (9 November 2021) and “Security in the context of terrorism and climate change” (9 December 2021). In addition, the President of the General Assembly provided a briefing at a high-level videoconference held on 7 May 2021 focused on upholding multilateralism and the United Nations-centred international system. The Council also held high-level meetings and videoconferences in connection with other agenda items such as, “Threats to international peace and security” (12 January 2021), "Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security” (19 April and 28 October 2021), “Protection of civilians in armed conflict” (27 April and 16 July 2021), “Children and armed conflict” (28 June 2021), “United Nations peacekeeping operations” (18 August 2021), “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts” (19 August 2021), “Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction” (27 September 2021), “Peacebuilding and sustaining peace” (12 October 2021), “Women and peace and security” (21 October 2021) and “Small arms” (22 November 2021). In relation to country-specific situations, the Council held high-level videoconferences and meetings concerning the Middle East including the Palestinian question (26 January and 15 May 2021), the humanitarian situation in Syria (29 March 2021), Peace and security in Africa, focusing on post-pandemic recovery in Africa (19 May 2021), Afghanistan (22 June 2021), Libya (15 July 2021) and the Great Lakes region (20 October 2021).

UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe Antony J. Blinken (left), Secretary of State of the United States of America, greets  Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, ahead of the meeting with Secretary-General António Guterres and the Foreign Ministers of the five Permanent Members of the Security Council. 22 September 2021.

Representatives on the Council

According to Article 28 of the Charter of the United Nations, each member of the Security Council shall be represented at all times at the seat of the Organization. Rule 13 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure provides further that each member of the Security Council shall be represented at the meetings of the Security Council by an accredited representative. While all Council members have one Permanent Representative (PR) for a total of 15, some Council members may appoint more than one Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) to the Council. In 2021, the number of women Permanent and Deputy Permanent Representatives on the Council was 13, while the number of men Permanent and Deputy Permanent Representatives was 30.

UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France and President of Security Council for the month of July, chairs the Security Council meeting on the situation in Libya. 15 July 2021.

Chart 3a Permanent Representatives (PR) on the Council 2017-2021

5
10
2021
3
12
2020
3
12
2019
3
12
2018
1
14
2017
Women PR
Men PR

Chart showing the Permanent Representatives (PR) on the Council 2017-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 3a

Chart 3b Deputy Permanent Representatives (DPR) on the Council 2017-2021

8
20
2021
8
17
2020
5
21
2019
7
17
2018
5
17
2017
Women DPR
Men DPR

Chart showing the Deputy Permanent Representatives (DPR) on the Council 2017-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 3b

Invitations under rule 39 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure

UN Photo / Loey Felipe Magdalene Wangui Wanyaga (on screen), Member of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Youth, addresses the Security Council meeting on Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. 27 September 2021.

According to rule 39 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure, the Council may invite members of the Secretariat or other persons, whom it considers competent for the purpose, to supply it with information or to give other assistance in examining matters within its competence.

As reflected in the monthly letters of the President of the Council concerning its working methods, non-members of the Council were invited to participate in videoconferences “within the principles of rules 37 and 39” if there were no objections from Council members. The Council extended a total of 354 invitations under rule 39, of which 199 were to men (56%) and 155 were to women (44%). In addition, out of 354 invitations, 214 were extended to officials belonging to the UN System, 44 to officials representing regional intergovernmental organizations, 10 to invitees from international organizations other than the UN, and 86 to representatives of other entities such as non-governmental organizations and civil society.

By categories, sex-disaggregated data reveal varying degrees of participation of men and women in 2021. Of the 214 invitations to officials belonging to the UN System, 143 (or 67%) were extended to men, and 71 (or 33%) to women, a similar level with respect to 2020. Of the 44 invitations to officials representing regional intergovernmental organizations, 34 (or 77%) were extended to men, and 10 (or 23%) to women, an increase of 13% with respect to the percentage of women under this category in 2020. Of the 10 invitations to international organizations other than the UN, seven were extended to men and three to women, a similar level with respect to 2020. Finally, of 86 representatives of other entities such as non-governmental organizations and civil society, 15 (or 17%) were extended to men, and 71 (or 83%) to women, an increase of 26% with respect to the percentage of women under this category in 2020.

Chart 4a Rule 39 Invitees 2012-2021

136 13 51 10 2012
145 14 57 16 2013
208 10 54 14 2014
201 11 58 28 2015
201 23 76 27 2016
234 17 59 30 2017
226 11 71 42 2018
228 19 73 67 2019
210 8 33 49 2020
214 10 44 86 2021
  • 400
  • 350
  • 300
  • 250
  • 200
  • 150
  • 100
  • 50
UN system
Non-UN/Other international organizations
Regional intergovernmental organizations
Others (NGOs, civil society, etc.)

Chart showing the Rule 39 invitees 2011-2020

* The category “UN system” includes officials of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 4a

Chart 4b Rule 39 Invitees 2012-2021 (by gender)

36
174
2012
52
180
2013
60
226
2014
66
232
2015
57
270
2016
82
258
2017
104
246
2018
150
237
2019
104
200
2020
155
199
2021
  • 300
  • 250
  • 200
  • 150
  • 100
  • 50
Female
Male

Chart showing the Rule 39 invitees 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 4b

Informal consultations of the whole and closed VTCs

In 2021, Council members held 67 consultations and 57 closed videoconferences. The most discussed topics in consultations and closed videoconferences during 2021 were the following: Syria (12 times), Yemen (11 times), Middle East including the Palestinian question and Non-proliferation/DPRK (8 times, respectively), Ethiopia and Somalia (7 times, respectively), and Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon and Mali (5 times each).

Figure 1 Frequency of topics discussed in informal consultations of the whole in 2021

Chart showing the Frequency of topics discussed in informal consultations of the whole in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Figure 1

Informal interactive dialogues

Photo of Othman Jerandi.

UN Photo / Manuel Elías Othman Jerandi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Republic of Tunisia, attends the informal Security Council meeting with League of Arab States. 22 September 2021.

In 2021, the practice of holding informal interactive dialogues (IID) continued. IIDs are convened at the initiative of one or more Council members, with the participation of all Council members and are presided over by the President of the Security Council for the month. They are intended to seek the views of Member States that are parties to a conflict and/or other interested and affected parties. Informal interactive dialogues are not open to the public or broadcast. In 2021, the Council held seven IIDs, four of which were held virtually as closed VTCs.

On 22 September, presided by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence of Ireland, the Council held an in-person high-level informal interactive dialogue with the Arab Summit Troika (Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia) of the League of Arab States (LAS). It was the first IID with the LAS since the issuance of the presidential statement of 29 January (S/PRST/2021/2) encouraging such meetings.

Chart 5 Number of informal interactive dialogues 2012-2021

2012

11
Date Topic
27 Feb 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
17 Apr 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
7 May 2012 Guinea-Bissau
5 Jun 2012 Guinea-Bissau
7 Jun 2012 Middle East
15 Jun 2012 Mali
13 Jul 2012 PBC
9 Aug 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
29 Aug 2012 DRC
29 Aug 2012 DRC
26 Nov 2012 Afghanistan

2014

7
Date Topic
20 Feb 2014 Central African Republic
23 Apr 2014 Somalia - AMISOM (Concept of Operations of AMISOM)
27 Jun 2014 South Sudan and Sudan
15 Jul 2014 Post-conflict peacebuilding
17 Sep 2014 Sudan and South Sudan
10 Nov 2014 Mali - MINUSMA
20 Nov 2014 High-level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace Operations

2017

7
Date Topic
12 Jan 2017 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan
Darfur
UNAMID
23 Jan 2017 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan: South Sudan
13 Mar 2017 The situation in the Central African Republic
31 May 2017 The situation in Libya EUNAVFOR MED (Operation Sophia)
9 Jun 2017 The question concerning Haiti (MINUSTAH)
15 Jun 2017 Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security African Union
19 Jun 2017 Peacebuilding and sustaining peace (Report of the Peacebuilding Commission on its tenth session)

2019

7
Date Topic
21 Jan 2019 The situation in the Central African Republic
20 Mar 2019 Peace and security in Africa (Activity of the PBC and PBSO in the Sahel)
21 Mar 2019 The situation in the Middle East (Fostering dialogue and cooperation as a response to conflicts and common challenges in the Middle-East and North Africa)
7 Jun 2019 The situation in Libya
31 Jul 2019 Peace and security in Africa: Ebola outbreak in the DRC
28 Aug 2019 The situation in Burundi
27 Nov 2019 Peace consolidation in West Africa (UNOWAS)

2021

7
Date Topic
20 Jan 2021 The situation in Somalia - Electoral developments in Somalia
14 Apr 2021 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan - Darfur
20 Apr 2021 The situation in Somalia - UNSOM
29 Apr 2021 The situation in Libya
28 May 2021 The situation in Libya (Operation Irini)
15 Jun 2021 Peace and security in Africa - Ethiopia/Tigray
22 Sep 2021 Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security - First annual highlevel meeting with LAS Troika (Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia) as mandated in S/PRST/2021/2)

2015

6
Date Topic
20 Jan 2015 International Commission of Inquiry on the Central African Republican
27 Feb 2015 Ukraine
11 May 2015 Migrant trafficking and the crisis in the Mediterranean Sea
11 May 2015 International Criminal Court: Libya
8 Jun 2015 Somalia
25 Jun 2015 Burundi

2020

6
Date Topic
14 Jan 2020 The situation in the DRC and region
23 Jan 2020 UNMISS (100-day deadline)
26 Feb 2020 The situation in Burundi
12 May 2020 Syria - Chemical weapon
2 Jun 2020 2292 implementation (EU Operation IRINI)
22 Jul 2020 Peacebuilding

2013

6
Date Topic
22 Mar 2013 UNDOF (Consultations with TCCs on UNDOF)
27 Mar 2013 Sudan/South Sudan
26 Apr 2013 Post-conflict peacebuilding
7 May 2013 Libya/ICC
23 May 2013 Peace and security in Africa
31 Oct 2013 Peace and security in Africa (Africa's relations with ICC)

2018

6
Date Topic
7 Feb 2018 The situation concerning Iraq (UNAMI External Review)
20 Mar 2018 The situation in the Middle East (Chemical Weapons)
18 Apr 2018 Peace and security in Africa (Joint DPKO/AU visit to Darfur, Central African Republic & Addis Ababa)
4 Jun 2018 The situation in Libya (EUNAVFOR MED (Operation SOPHIA)
21 Jun 2018 The situation in the Central African Republic (Report of the Secretary-General on the Central African Republic (S/2018/611))
29 Jun 2018 Peacebuilding and sustaining peace (Report of the Peacebuilding Commission on its eleventh session)

2016

4
Date Topic
18 May 2016 United Nations peacekeeping operations (Annual meeting with Force Commanders)
16 Jun 2016 The situation in Mali (MINUSMA)
22 Jun 2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding
27 Jun 2016 The situation in Somalia (AMISOM)
Thematic and other issues 11 16.42%
Country-specific/regional situations 56 83.58%

Chart showing the Percentage of meetings by geographic region in 2021

10
1
2012
Date Topic
27 Feb 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
17 Apr 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
7 May 2012 Guinea-Bissau
5 Jun 2012 Guinea-Bissau
7 Jun 2012 Middle East
15 Jun 2012 Mali
13 Jul 2012 PBC
9 Aug 2012 Sudan and South Sudan
29 Aug 2012 DRC
29 Aug 2012 DRC
26 Nov 2012 Afghanistan
5
1
2013
Date Topic
22 Mar 2013 UNDOF (Consultations with TCCs on UNDOF)
27 Mar 2013 Sudan/South Sudan
26 Apr 2013 Post-conflict peacebuilding
7 May 2013 Libya/ICC
23 May 2013 Peace and security in Africa
31 Oct 2013 Peace and security in Africa (Africa's relations with ICC)
5
2
2014
Date Topic
20 Feb 2014 Central African Republic
23 Apr 2014 Somalia - AMISOM (Concept of Operations of AMISOM)
27 Jun 2014 South Sudan and Sudan
15 Jul 2014 Post-conflict peacebuilding
17 Sep 2014 Sudan and South Sudan
10 Nov 2014 Mali - MINUSMA
20 Nov 2014 High-level Independent Panel on United Nations Peace Operations
6
0
2015
Date Topic
20 Jan 2015 International Commission of Inquiry on the Central African Republican
27 Feb 2015 Ukraine
11 May 2015 Migrant trafficking and the crisis in the Mediterranean Sea
11 May 2015 International Criminal Court: Libya
8 Jun 2015 Somalia
25 Jun 2015 Burundi
2
2
2016
Date Topic
18 May 2016 United Nations peacekeeping operations (Annual meeting with Force Commanders)
16 Jun 2016 The situation in Mali (MINUSMA)
22 Jun 2016 Post-conflict peacebuilding
27 Jun 2016 The situation in Somalia (AMISOM)
5
2
2017
Date Topic
12 Jan 2017 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan
Darfur
UNAMID
23 Jan 2017 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan: South Sudan
13 Mar 2017 The situation in the Central African Republic
31 May 2017 The situation in Libya EUNAVFOR MED (Operation Sophia)
9 Jun 2017 The question concerning Haiti (MINUSTAH)
15 Jun 2017 Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security African Union
19 Jun 2017 Peacebuilding and sustaining peace (Report of the Peacebuilding Commission on its tenth session)
5
1
2018
Date Topic
7 Feb 2018 The situation concerning Iraq (UNAMI External Review)
20 Mar 2018 The situation in the Middle East (Chemical Weapons)
18 Apr 2018 Peace and security in Africa (Joint DPKO/AU visit to Darfur, Central African Republic & Addis Ababa)
4 Jun 2018 The situation in Libya (EUNAVFOR MED (Operation SOPHIA)
21 Jun 2018 The situation in the Central African Republic (Report of the Secretary-General on the Central African Republic (S/2018/611))
29 Jun 2018 Peacebuilding and sustaining peace (Report of the Peacebuilding Commission on its eleventh session)
7
0
2019
Date Topic
21 Jan 2019 The situation in the Central African Republic
20 Mar 2019 Peace and security in Africa (Activity of the PBC and PBSO in the Sahel)
21 Mar 2019 The situation in the Middle East (Fostering dialogue and cooperation as a response to conflicts and common challenges in the Middle-East and North Africa)
7 Jun 2019 The situation in Libya
31 Jul 2019 Peace and security in Africa: Ebola outbreak in the DRC
28 Aug 2019 The situation in Burundi
27 Nov 2019 Peace consolidation in West Africa (UNOWAS)
5
1
2020
Date Topic
14 Jan 2020 The situation in the DRC and region
23 Jan 2020 UNMISS (100-day deadline)
26 Feb 2020 The situation in Burundi
12 May 2020 Syria - Chemical weapon
2 Jun 2020 2292 implementation (EU Operation IRINI)
22 Jul 2020 Peacebuilding
6
1
2021
Date Topic
20 Jan 2021 The situation in Somalia - Electoral developments in Somalia
14 Apr 2021 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan - Darfur
20 Apr 2021 The situation in Somalia - UNSOM
29 Apr 2021 The situation in Libya
28 May 2021 The situation in Libya (Operation Irini)
15 Jun 2021 Peace and security in Africa - Ethiopia/Tigray
22 Sep 2021 Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security - First annual highlevel meeting with LAS Troika (Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia) as mandated in S/PRST/2021/2)
  • 10
  • 8
  • 6
  • 4
  • 2

Chart showing the Number of informal interactive dialogues 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 5

Arria-formula meetings

Arria-formula meetings are informal gatherings convened at the initiative of one or more Council members (in some instances, they are convened also by non-Council members) with the participation of all or some Council members. Arria-formula meetings do not constitute an activity of the Council and are not presided by the President of the Council. Whilst in past practice Arria-formula meetings were closed to the public, since 2016 these meetings have been open to the public or even broadcast. In 2021, the Council held 32 Arria-formula meetings (10 more than in 2020), 30 of which were open to public and 27 of which were held virtually.

Photo of Waad Al-Kateab.

UN Photo / Manuel Elías Waad Al-Kateab, Syrian activist and award-winning filmmaker, addresses the Security Council Arria-formula meeting on Accountability in the Syrian Arab Republic. 29 November 2021.

Chart 6 Number of Arria-formula meetings 2012-2021

Thematic and other issues 85 51.2%
Country-specific/regional situations 81 48.8%

Chart showing number of Arria-formula meetings from 2012 to 2021

2021

32
Date Topic
22 Jan 2021 Belarus - Media Freedom in Belarus
29 Jan 2021 Children and armed conflict - Repatriation of children from conflict zones: from camps to homes
24 Feb 2021 Maintenance of international peace and security - Upholding the collective security system of the UN Charter
8 Mar 2021 Women and Peace and security - Call to lead by example: ensuring the full, equal and meaningul participation of women in UN-led peace process
12 Mar 2021 he situation in Crimea
17 Mar 2021 The situation in Crimea - Follow-up to the Arria-formula discussion of March 12, 2021 on the Situation in Crima
19 Mar 2021 Protection of civilians in armed conflict - Religion, Belief and Conflict: the protection of members of religious and belief groups in conflict and religious actors in conflict resolution
26 Mar 2021 United Nations peacekeeping operations - Protecting the peacekeeper: suppressing the deployment of improvised explosive devices against peace operations
9 Apr 2021 The situation in Myanmar - Military crackdown on protests against the coup
16 Apr 2021 Protection of Developing Nations Against Political Pressure: Upholding the Integrity of International Non-Proliferation Regimes
5 May 2021 Odessa 7 years after: neo-nazism and violent nationalism as drivers of conflict in Ukraine
7 May 2021 Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violations against children in situations of armed conflict
12 May 2021 Delivering Accountability through Innovation and Partnership: Harnessing Technology to deliver justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
17 May 2021 Impact of Emerging Technologies on International Peace and Security
2 Jun 2021 The circumstances of Maidan and its aftereffects in Donbass
2 Jun 2021 Strengthening an Integrated Approach to Peace and Security in the Sahel through a Gendered Lens
16 Jun 2021 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international efforts to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism
18 Jun 2021 Addressing the impact of the departure of foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya on the Sahel region
28 Jul 2021 Preventing terrorism and violent extremism through tackling gender stereotypes, masculinities, and structural gender inequality
29 Jul 2021 Myanmar: Crisis, conflict and COVID – where are we now?
11 Aug 2021 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts Overcoming challenges in situations of armed conflict and counter-terrorism operations
16 Sep 2021 Small arms: The threat to international peace and security posed by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons
8 Oct 2021 The situation in Belarus
15 Oct 2021 Beyond the inconvenient truths about underdevelopment in Haiti: seeking pan-African solutions/pathways and supporting national dialogue and reconciliation
18 Oct 2021 Sea-level rise and implications for international peace and security
28 Oct 2021 Addressing and Countering Hate Speech and Preventing Incitement to Discrimination, Hostility, and Violence on Social Media
15 Nov 2021 Closing the Protection Gap for Widows in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings
29 Nov 2021 Accountability in the Syrian Arab Republic
3 Dec 2021 Addressing challenges of children without parental care in conflict settings
6 Dec 2021 Protection of education in conflict
20 Dec 2021 Preventing Civilian Impact of Malicious Cyber Activities
22 Dec 2021 Situation with National Minorities and Glorification of Nazism in Baltic and Black Sea Regions

2019

22
Date Topic
24 Jan 2019 What’s next for women, peace and security in Middle East and North Africa: the potential of National Action Plans
31 Jan 2019 Preventing and countering the financing of terrorism
8 Feb 2019 Accountability for conflict-related sexual violence as a central pillar for prevention
12 Feb 2019 Protecting boys and girls in shrinking humanitarian space
11 Mar 2019 Human rights, accountability and justice: contributions to international peace and security
13 Mar 2019 Women’s participation in political processes, with a focus on the Sahel
15 Mar 2019 A symbolic date: Fifth anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s occupation of Crimea: A blatant violation of international law
1 Apr 2019 Protecting Humanitarian and Medical personnel
8 Apr 2019 The Western Balkans Roadmap for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons as a Model for Effective Regional Arms Control
12 Apr 2019 Explosive ordnance threat mitigation: For the implementation of a coherent and comprehensive response
17 Apr 2019 Human Rights in Peace Operations
9 May 2019 Israeli Settlements and Settlers: Core of the Occupation, Protection Crisis and Obstruction of Peace
13 May 2019 The Humanitarian Crisis in Cameroon
24 May 2019 Peacekeeping Impact on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace
7 Jun 2019 Transnational Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking in the Caribbean Region as a Threat to International Stability
24 Jun 2019 Responding effectively to the needs of refugees, displaced persons and returnees: the role of the United Nations Security Council and its members
22 Aug 2019 Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Advancing the safety and security of persons belonging to religious minorities in armed conflict
23 Aug 2019 The situation in Myanmar: Mass atrocity crimes in Myanmar: Where do we stand on accountability?
25 Oct 2019 Trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation in (post-) conflict situations: integrating a comprehensive approach to trafficking in persons into the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the Security Council
12 Nov 2019 Challenges of radicalisation in prisons
26 Nov 2019 Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups: Bridging the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, including by taking into account children’s views in designing and implementing re-integration programmes
9 Dec 2019 Protection of the environment during armed conflict

2020

22
Date Topic
20 Jan 2020 Syria - OPCW investigation of the 2018 Douma CW use
19 Feb 2020 Syria - Children's rights
21 Feb 2020 Reprisals against women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders who engage with the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies
6 Mar 2020 Crimea
22 Apr 2020 Climate and security
8 May 2020 Seventy-five years from the end of the Second World War on European soil—lessons learned for preventing future atrocities, responsibility of the Security Council
21 May 2020 Human rights in Crimea
22 May 2020 Cyberstability, conflict prevention and capacity-building
15 Jul 2020 The situation in the Great Lakes region: illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region
27 Jul 2020 Women and peace and security: Women and the Afghan peace process: ensuring women’s participation and promoting their rights -- Briefing by Mahamat Saleh Annadif [Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali + Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali]
26 Aug 2020 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts: Cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure
4 Sep 2020 Belarus: Human rights in Belarus
9 Sep 2020 United Nations peacekeeping operations: Implementation of Resolutions on Youth, Peace and Security by UN Peace Operations
28 Sep 2020 The situation in the Middle East: Implementation of UNSCR 2118: upholding the authority of the OPCW
2 Oct 2020 Children and armed conflict: Access to education in conflict and post conflict contexts: Role of digital technology and connectivity
9 Oct 2020 Maintenance of international peace and security - Mandating peace: Enhancing the mediation sensitivity and effectiveness of the UN Security Council Mediation
20 Nov 2020 The situation in Afghanistan - What can the Security Council do to support the peace process in Afghanistan?
24 Nov 2020 The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina Commemoration of the 25-year Anniversary of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina
25 Nov 2020 General issues relating to sanctions: End Unilateral Coercive Measures Now
2 Dec 2020 Implementation of the 2015 Minsk Package of Measures on the settlement in Ukraine: a year since Paris “Normandie” Summit
3 Dec 2020 Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts (GEE) on the human rights situation in Yemen
9 Dec 2020 Youth, peace and security: Capitalising on Intergenerational Dialogue to build and sustain peace and enhance social cohesion at community levels

2018

21
Date Topic
12 Feb 2018 The Electoral Process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
22 Feb 2018 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - Prospects for the two-State solution for peace
12 Mar 2018 Implementing Syria’s Cessation of Hostilities: Syria’s Opposition Speaks
15 Mar 2018 The Russian occupation of Crimea: the role and limits of the UN Security Council and good offices of the UN Secretary-General in addressing violations of the UN Charter and international law
19 Mar 2018 Human Rights in Syria
9 Apr 2018 Enhancing synergies between the United Nations and regional and subregional organisations to address the nexus between terrorism and transnational organised crime
24 Apr 2018 Religious leaders for a safe world
7 May 2018 Ending and preventing grave violations against children: The experience of African states in the implementation of Action Plans
13 Jun 2018 Maritime crime as a threat to international peace and security
6 Jul 2018 UNSC-ICC Relations: Achievements, Challenges and Synergies
7 Sep 2018 Syrian voices on preventing a deathtrap in Idlib
10 Sep 2018 Corruption and conflict
19 Oct 2018 Silencing the guns in Africa: how can the UN-AU partnership contribute to a continent free of conflict
22 Oct 2018 Moving from a culture of impunity to a culture of deterrence: the use of sanctions in addressing sexual violence in conflict
26 Oct 2018 Protecting Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones
26 Oct 2018 Water, peace and security
7 Nov 2018 Protection of the environment during armed conflict
28 Nov 2018 Syria
3 Dec 2018 Situation of persons with disabilities in armed conflict
10 Dec 2018 Raising effectiveness of atrocity crimes prevention: role of the United Nations Security Council and its members
21 Dec 2018 Protecting Medical Care in Conflict

2017

17
Date Topic
24 Feb 2017 Human rights at work in peace operations
27 Mar 2017 Women, peace and security and mediation Increasing the participation of women in global conflict prevention and mediation: towards the creation of a Mediterranean Women Mediators Network
31 Mar 2017 Hybrid wars as a threat to international peace and security
10 Apr 2017 Security implications of climate change: sea-level rise
21 Apr 2017 The situation in the Middle East Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria
8 May 2017 International cooperation in criminal matters within the peace and security pillar: the role of central authorities
16 Jun 2017 Responding to the Secretary-General's call to action on the risk of famine in the conflict-affected areas of Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria
22 Jun 2017 Preventing terrorism and violent extremism in the Horn of Africa: enhancing partnership for regional efforts
5 Jul 2017 Enhancing the design process of UN sanctions: perspectives from all stakeholders
21 Aug 2017 The vital role of the UN's humanitarian assistance partners in the crisis in Yemen
13 Oct 2017 Attacks on schools
13 Oct 2017 The situation in Myanmar Advisory Commission on Rakhine State
13 Nov 2017 The situation in Venezuela
27 Nov 2017 Partners for Afghanistan: linking security, development and peace in the Central Asian region
1 Dec 2017 Unarmed approaches for the protection of civilians
15 Dec 2017 Preparing for security implications of rising temperatures
22 Dec 2017 Humanitarian aspects of missing & captive persons in Gaza

2016

12
Date Topic
27 Jan 2016 Protection of civilians in armed conflict (The global challenge of accounting for missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other involuntary causes)
2 Mar 2016 United Nations peacekeeping operations (Human rights components in peace operations)
18 Mar 2016 Letter dated 28 February 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2014/136) (Human rights situation in Crimea)
29 Mar 2016 Maintenance of international peace and security (Food security, nutrition and peace)
22 Apr 2016 Maintenance of international peace and security (Water, peace and security)
26 Apr 2016 The situation concerning Western Sahara
6 May 2016 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (Protection for the Palestinian people)
8 Aug 2016 The situation in the Middle East (Aleppo)
14 Oct 2016 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (Israeli settlements)
21 Nov 2016 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts (Protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks)
28 Nov 2016 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts (Cybersecurity)
5 Dec 2016 Women and peace and security (Synergies between Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security and CEDAW)

2015

17
Date Topic
23 Jan 2015 United Nations peacekeeping operations (Human rights in peacekeeping operations)
20 Feb 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry on Syria)
19 Mar 2015 Ukraine (Briefing by Andrey Zubarev, Crimean Human Rights Field Mission, and Mustafa Djemilev, Member of the Verkhova Rada of Ukraine and former Chair of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People)
16 Apr 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Victims of chemical weapons attacks in Syria)
27 Apr 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Destruction of cultural heritage and archaeology by extremists)
29 Apr 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Syrian Coalition)
21 May 2015 Women and peace and security (Peace and Security Reviews)
19 Jun 2015 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan (Ten-year anniversary of the UN Commission of Inquiry for Darfur)
26 Jun 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Indiscriminate use of weapons, including barrel bombs, against civilians in Syria)
30 Jun 2015 Maintenance of international peace and security (Climate Change)
20 Jul 2015 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (Gaza)
24 Aug 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Vulnerable Groups in Conflict: ISIL's Targeting of LGBT Individuals)
21 Oct 2015 Victims of terrorism
28 Oct 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Yemen)
12 Nov 2015 Briefing by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
30 Nov 2015 The impact of illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons (SALW) to poaching in Africa
14 Dec 2015 Protection of civilians in armed conflict: The responsibility to protect and non-State actors

2012

10
Date Topic
7 Feb 2012 Human rights in the context of peacekeeping operations
8 Mar 2012 Women’s role in mediation and conflict resolution
22 Mar 2012 Syria
20 Apr 2012 Security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
18 May 2012 Women and peace and security: gender practitioners deployed with UN peacekeeping operations
30 May 2012 Peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution: Mediation, judicial settlement and justice
22 Jun 2012 Lord’s Resistance Army
9 Jul 2012 Children and armed conflict, with a focus on accountability for persistent perpetrators
12 Oct 2012 Syria
4 Dec 2012 Children and armed conflict: child protection advisors deployed with UN peacekeeping missions

2014

7
Date Topic
17 Jan 2014 Women’s participation in resolving the Syrian conflict
14 Mar 2014 Inter-communities dialogue and prevention of crimes in CAR
31 Mar 2014 Human rights and media freedom situation in Crimea
15 Apr 2014 Human rights situation in Syria
17 Apr 2014 Commission of inquiry on DPRK
30 May 2014 Protection of Internally Displaced Persons: Challenges and Role for the Security Council
25 Jul 2014 United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria

2013

6
Date Topic
15 Feb 2013 Maintenance of international peace and security
17 May 2013 Women and peace and security
21 Jun 2013 The situation in the Middle East
26 Jul 2013 The situation in the Middle East
1 Nov 2013 The situation in the Central African Republic
13 Dec 2013 Protection of civilians in armed conflict - The protection of journalists
4
6
2012
Date Topic
7 Feb 2012 Human rights in the context of peacekeeping operations
8 Mar 2012 Women’s role in mediation and conflict resolution
22 Mar 2012 Syria
20 Apr 2012 Security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
18 May 2012 Women and peace and security: gender practitioners deployed with UN peacekeeping operations
30 May 2012 Peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution: Mediation, judicial settlement and justice
22 Jun 2012 Lord’s Resistance Army
9 Jul 2012 Children and armed conflict, with a focus on accountability for persistent perpetrators
12 Oct 2012 Syria
4 Dec 2012 Children and armed conflict: child protection advisors deployed with UN peacekeeping missions
3
3
2013
Date Topic
15 Feb 2013 Maintenance of international peace and security
17 May 2013 Women and peace and security
21 Jun 2013 The situation in the Middle East
26 Jul 2013 The situation in the Middle East
1 Nov 2013 The situation in the Central African Republic
13 Dec 2013 Protection of civilians in armed conflict - The protection of journalists
5
2
2014
Date Topic
17 Jan 2014 Women’s participation in resolving the Syrian conflict
14 Mar 2014 Inter-communities dialogue and prevention of crimes in CAR
31 Mar 2014 Human rights and media freedom situation in Crimea
15 Apr 2014 Human rights situation in Syria
17 Apr 2014 Commission of inquiry on DPRK
30 May 2014 Protection of Internally Displaced Persons: Challenges and Role for the Security Council
25 Jul 2014 United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria
12
5
2015
Date Topic
23 Jan 2015 United Nations peacekeeping operations (Human rights in peacekeeping operations)
20 Feb 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry on Syria)
19 Mar 2015 Ukraine (Briefing by Andrey Zubarev, Crimean Human Rights Field Mission, and Mustafa Djemilev, Member of the Verkhova Rada of Ukraine and former Chair of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People)
16 Apr 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Victims of chemical weapons attacks in Syria)
27 Apr 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Destruction of cultural heritage and archaeology by extremists)
29 Apr 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Syrian Coalition)
21 May 2015 Women and peace and security (Peace and Security Reviews)
19 Jun 2015 Reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan (Ten-year anniversary of the UN Commission of Inquiry for Darfur)
26 Jun 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Indiscriminate use of weapons, including barrel bombs, against civilians in Syria)
30 Jun 2015 Maintenance of international peace and security (Climate Change)
20 Jul 2015 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (Gaza)
24 Aug 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Vulnerable Groups in Conflict: ISIL's Targeting of LGBT Individuals)
21 Oct 2015 Victims of terrorism
28 Oct 2015 The situation in the Middle East (Yemen)
12 Nov 2015 Briefing by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic
30 Nov 2015 The impact of illicit transfer of small arms and light weapons (SALW) to poaching in Africa
14 Dec 2015 Protection of civilians in armed conflict: The responsibility to protect and non-State actors
5
7
2016
Date Topic
27 Jan 2016 Protection of civilians in armed conflict (The global challenge of accounting for missing persons from conflict, human rights abuses, disasters, organized crime, migration and other involuntary causes)
2 Mar 2016 United Nations peacekeeping operations (Human rights components in peace operations)
18 Mar 2016 Letter dated 28 February 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2014/136) (Human rights situation in Crimea)
29 Mar 2016 Maintenance of international peace and security (Food security, nutrition and peace)
22 Apr 2016 Maintenance of international peace and security (Water, peace and security)
26 Apr 2016 The situation concerning Western Sahara
6 May 2016 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (Protection for the Palestinian people)
8 Aug 2016 The situation in the Middle East (Aleppo)
14 Oct 2016 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (Israeli settlements)
21 Nov 2016 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts (Protection of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks)
28 Nov 2016 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts (Cybersecurity)
5 Dec 2016 Women and peace and security (Synergies between Security Council resolutions on women, peace and security and CEDAW)
10
7
2017
Date Topic
24 Feb 2017 Human rights at work in peace operations
27 Mar 2017 Women, peace and security and mediation Increasing the participation of women in global conflict prevention and mediation: towards the creation of a Mediterranean Women Mediators Network
31 Mar 2017 Hybrid wars as a threat to international peace and security
10 Apr 2017 Security implications of climate change: sea-level rise
21 Apr 2017 The situation in the Middle East Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria
8 May 2017 International cooperation in criminal matters within the peace and security pillar: the role of central authorities
16 Jun 2017 Responding to the Secretary-General's call to action on the risk of famine in the conflict-affected areas of Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria
22 Jun 2017 Preventing terrorism and violent extremism in the Horn of Africa: enhancing partnership for regional efforts
5 Jul 2017 Enhancing the design process of UN sanctions: perspectives from all stakeholders
21 Aug 2017 The vital role of the UN's humanitarian assistance partners in the crisis in Yemen
13 Oct 2017 Attacks on schools
13 Oct 2017 The situation in Myanmar Advisory Commission on Rakhine State
13 Nov 2017 The situation in Venezuela
27 Nov 2017 Partners for Afghanistan: linking security, development and peace in the Central Asian region
1 Dec 2017 Unarmed approaches for the protection of civilians
15 Dec 2017 Preparing for security implications of rising temperatures
22 Dec 2017 Humanitarian aspects of missing & captive persons in Gaza
9
12
2018
Date Topic
12 Feb 2018 The Electoral Process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
22 Feb 2018 The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - Prospects for the two-State solution for peace
12 Mar 2018 Implementing Syria’s Cessation of Hostilities: Syria’s Opposition Speaks
15 Mar 2018 The Russian occupation of Crimea: the role and limits of the UN Security Council and good offices of the UN Secretary-General in addressing violations of the UN Charter and international law
19 Mar 2018 Human Rights in Syria
9 Apr 2018 Enhancing synergies between the United Nations and regional and subregional organisations to address the nexus between terrorism and transnational organised crime
24 Apr 2018 Religious leaders for a safe world
7 May 2018 Ending and preventing grave violations against children: The experience of African states in the implementation of Action Plans
13 Jun 2018 Maritime crime as a threat to international peace and security
6 Jul 2018 UNSC-ICC Relations: Achievements, Challenges and Synergies
7 Sep 2018 Syrian voices on preventing a deathtrap in Idlib
10 Sep 2018 Corruption and conflict
19 Oct 2018 Silencing the guns in Africa: how can the UN-AU partnership contribute to a continent free of conflict
22 Oct 2018 Moving from a culture of impunity to a culture of deterrence: the use of sanctions in addressing sexual violence in conflict
26 Oct 2018 Protecting Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones
26 Oct 2018 Water, peace and security
7 Nov 2018 Protection of the environment during armed conflict
28 Nov 2018 Syria
3 Dec 2018 Situation of persons with disabilities in armed conflict
10 Dec 2018 Raising effectiveness of atrocity crimes prevention: role of the United Nations Security Council and its members
21 Dec 2018 Protecting Medical Care in Conflict
8
14
2019
Date Topic
24 Jan 2019 What’s next for women, peace and security in Middle East and North Africa: the potential of National Action Plans
31 Jan 2019 Preventing and countering the financing of terrorism
8 Feb 2019 Accountability for conflict-related sexual violence as a central pillar for prevention
12 Feb 2019 Protecting boys and girls in shrinking humanitarian space
11 Mar 2019 Human rights, accountability and justice: contributions to international peace and security
13 Mar 2019 Women’s participation in political processes, with a focus on the Sahel
15 Mar 2019 A symbolic date: Fifth anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s occupation of Crimea: A blatant violation of international law
1 Apr 2019 Protecting Humanitarian and Medical personnel
8 Apr 2019 The Western Balkans Roadmap for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons as a Model for Effective Regional Arms Control
12 Apr 2019 Explosive ordnance threat mitigation: For the implementation of a coherent and comprehensive response
17 Apr 2019 Human Rights in Peace Operations
9 May 2019 Israeli Settlements and Settlers: Core of the Occupation, Protection Crisis and Obstruction of Peace
13 May 2019 The Humanitarian Crisis in Cameroon
24 May 2019 Peacekeeping Impact on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace
7 Jun 2019 Transnational Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking in the Caribbean Region as a Threat to International Stability
24 Jun 2019 Responding effectively to the needs of refugees, displaced persons and returnees: the role of the United Nations Security Council and its members
22 Aug 2019 Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Advancing the safety and security of persons belonging to religious minorities in armed conflict
23 Aug 2019 The situation in Myanmar: Mass atrocity crimes in Myanmar: Where do we stand on accountability?
25 Oct 2019 Trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation in (post-) conflict situations: integrating a comprehensive approach to trafficking in persons into the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the Security Council
12 Nov 2019 Challenges of radicalisation in prisons
26 Nov 2019 Reintegration of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups: Bridging the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, including by taking into account children’s views in designing and implementing re-integration programmes
9 Dec 2019 Protection of the environment during armed conflict
12
10
2020
Date Topic
20 Jan 2020 Syria - OPCW investigation of the 2018 Douma CW use
19 Feb 2020 Syria - Children's rights
21 Feb 2020 Reprisals against women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders who engage with the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies
6 Mar 2020 Crimea
22 Apr 2020 Climate and security
8 May 2020 Seventy-five years from the end of the Second World War on European soil—lessons learned for preventing future atrocities, responsibility of the Security Council
21 May 2020 Human rights in Crimea
22 May 2020 Cyberstability, conflict prevention and capacity-building
15 Jul 2020 The situation in the Great Lakes region: illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Great Lakes region
27 Jul 2020 Women and peace and security: Women and the Afghan peace process: ensuring women’s participation and promoting their rights -- Briefing by Mahamat Saleh Annadif [Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Mali + Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali]
26 Aug 2020 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts: Cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure
4 Sep 2020 Belarus: Human rights in Belarus
9 Sep 2020 United Nations peacekeeping operations: Implementation of Resolutions on Youth, Peace and Security by UN Peace Operations
28 Sep 2020 The situation in the Middle East: Implementation of UNSCR 2118: upholding the authority of the OPCW
2 Oct 2020 Children and armed conflict: Access to education in conflict and post conflict contexts: Role of digital technology and connectivity
9 Oct 2020 Maintenance of international peace and security - Mandating peace: Enhancing the mediation sensitivity and effectiveness of the UN Security Council Mediation
20 Nov 2020 The situation in Afghanistan - What can the Security Council do to support the peace process in Afghanistan?
24 Nov 2020 The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina Commemoration of the 25-year Anniversary of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina
25 Nov 2020 General issues relating to sanctions: End Unilateral Coercive Measures Now
2 Dec 2020 Implementation of the 2015 Minsk Package of Measures on the settlement in Ukraine: a year since Paris “Normandie” Summit
3 Dec 2020 Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts (GEE) on the human rights situation in Yemen
9 Dec 2020 Youth, peace and security: Capitalising on Intergenerational Dialogue to build and sustain peace and enhance social cohesion at community levels
13
19
2021
Date Topic
22 Jan 2021 Belarus - Media Freedom in Belarus
29 Jan 2021 Children and armed conflict - Repatriation of children from conflict zones: from camps to homes
24 Feb 2021 Maintenance of international peace and security - Upholding the collective security system of the UN Charter
8 Mar 2021 Women and Peace and security - Call to lead by example: ensuring the full, equal and meaningul participation of women in UN-led peace process
12 Mar 2021 he situation in Crimea
17 Mar 2021 The situation in Crimea - Follow-up to the Arria-formula discussion of March 12, 2021 on the Situation in Crima
19 Mar 2021 Protection of civilians in armed conflict - Religion, Belief and Conflict: the protection of members of religious and belief groups in conflict and religious actors in conflict resolution
26 Mar 2021 United Nations peacekeeping operations - Protecting the peacekeeper: suppressing the deployment of improvised explosive devices against peace operations
9 Apr 2021 The situation in Myanmar - Military crackdown on protests against the coup
16 Apr 2021 Protection of Developing Nations Against Political Pressure: Upholding the Integrity of International Non-Proliferation Regimes
5 May 2021 Odessa 7 years after: neo-nazism and violent nationalism as drivers of conflict in Ukraine
7 May 2021 Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violations against children in situations of armed conflict
12 May 2021 Delivering Accountability through Innovation and Partnership: Harnessing Technology to deliver justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide
17 May 2021 Impact of Emerging Technologies on International Peace and Security
2 Jun 2021 The circumstances of Maidan and its aftereffects in Donbass
2 Jun 2021 Strengthening an Integrated Approach to Peace and Security in the Sahel through a Gendered Lens
16 Jun 2021 The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international efforts to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism
18 Jun 2021 Addressing the impact of the departure of foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya on the Sahel region
28 Jul 2021 Preventing terrorism and violent extremism through tackling gender stereotypes, masculinities, and structural gender inequality
29 Jul 2021 Myanmar: Crisis, conflict and COVID – where are we now?
11 Aug 2021 Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts Overcoming challenges in situations of armed conflict and counter-terrorism operations
16 Sep 2021 Small arms: The threat to international peace and security posed by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons
8 Oct 2021 The situation in Belarus
15 Oct 2021 Beyond the inconvenient truths about underdevelopment in Haiti: seeking pan-African solutions/pathways and supporting national dialogue and reconciliation
18 Oct 2021 Sea-level rise and implications for international peace and security
28 Oct 2021 Addressing and Countering Hate Speech and Preventing Incitement to Discrimination, Hostility, and Violence on Social Media
15 Nov 2021 Closing the Protection Gap for Widows in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings
29 Nov 2021 Accountability in the Syrian Arab Republic
3 Dec 2021 Addressing challenges of children without parental care in conflict settings
6 Dec 2021 Protection of education in conflict
20 Dec 2021 Preventing Civilian Impact of Malicious Cyber Activities
22 Dec 2021 Situation with National Minorities and Glorification of Nazism in Baltic and Black Sea Regions
  • 20
  • 15
  • 10
  • 5

Chart showing the Number of Arria-formula meetings 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 6

Missions

Article 34 of the Charter of the United Nations provides that the Security Council may investigate any dispute or any situation which may lead to international friction or give rise to a dispute. Missions of Council members to the field have taken place since 1964.

Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in New York Security Council members visit Mali.
23 October 2021.

In 2021, the Security Council sent a mission to Mali and Niger, co-led by France, Kenya and Niger.

Missions in 2021

In 2021, the Security Council conducted a visiting mission to the Sahel for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. From 23 to 25 October, the Council sent a mission to Mali and Niger, co-led by France, Kenya and Niger. Further to the completion of the mission, the Council held a briefing in the context of a public meeting (S/PV.8892). On 4 November, the Council also issued a press statement on the mission to Mali and Niger (SC/14687) and report on 31 December 2021 (S/2021/1106).

Security Council members visit Mali.

Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations in New York Security Council members visit Mali. 23 October 2021.

Figure 2 Security Council Missions in 2021

Security Council Missions in 2021

Chart 7 Number of Security Council missions by region 2012-2021

1 1 1 2012
1 1 2013
1.5 .5 2014
1 1 2015
5 2016
3 2 2017
1 2 2018
3 1 1 2019
2020
1 2021
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe
Middle East

Chart showing the Number of Security Council missions by region 2012-2021

* In 2014, the Security Council dispatched two missions; one mission to Africa and one mission to both Africa and Europe.

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 7

Agenda

In accordance with rule 11 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure and presidential note of 30 August 2017 S/2017/507, every January, the Council reviews the list of matters of which it is seized. Agenda items which have not been considered at a Council meeting in the preceding three years are deleted unless a Member State objects. In the latter case, an item will remain on the list for an additional year, unless the Council decides otherwise, and will be subject to the same procedure described above if not considered by the Council during that additional year.

Security Council Considers Situation in Middle East (Syria).

UN Photo / Evan Schneider Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (centre), Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India and President of Security Council for the month of August, chairs the Security Council debate on United Nations peacekeeping operations, with a focus on “Protecting the protectors: technology and peacekeeping.” At upper left is Secretary-General António Guterres.
18 August 2021.

In 2021, the Security Council considered a total of 45 agenda items in meetings and open videoconferences, compared to 43 in 2020. Out of the 45 agenda items, 23 addressed country-specific or regional situations and 22 thematic and other issues.

45 agenda items
23 addressed
country-specific or
regional situations
22 addressed
thematic and
other issues

Overview

Abdou Abarry (left), Permanent Representative of Republic of Niger, speaks with Nicolas de Rivière, Permanent Representative of France.

UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe Abdou Abarry (left), Permanent Representative of Republic of Niger, speaks with Nicolas de Rivière, Permanent Representative of France, ahead of the Security Council meetings on the situation concerning Iraq; the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question; and the draft annual report of the Council to the General Assembly. 27 May 2021.

In 2021, the Security Council considered a total of 42 agenda items in meetings and Council members considered 31 agenda items in the context of open videoconferences resulting in a combined total of 45 agenda items addressed in 2021, compared to 43 in 2020 and 49 in 2019. Out of the 45 agenda items, 23 addressed country-specific or regional situations and 22 thematic and other issues. Open videoconferences were sometimes used to announce the adoption of more than one resolution in connection with different agenda items. Those videoconferences are featured more than once in the graphs included below under multiple agenda items. In 2021, the Security Council did not add any new item to its agenda but deleted three items, as described in the summary statement of the Secretary-General.

Chart 8 Percentage of meetings and open VTCs on country-specific/regional situations and thematic and other issues in 2021

Country-specific 184 71%
Thematic 75 29%

Chart showing the Percentage of meetings on country-specific/regional situations and thematic and other issues in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 8

Chart 9 Number of meetings and open VTCs held and resolutions/PRSTs adopted by agenda item in 2021

Chart showing the Number of meetings held and resolutions/PRSTs adopted by agenda item in 2021

* Under Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 9

Country-specific and regional situations

In 2021, the Council dealt with country-specific or regional situations in 115 meetings and 69 open videoconferences of the Council. Among those meetings and open videoconferences combined, Africa accounted for 91 of them, followed by the Middle East with 58, Asia with 13, Americas with 12 and Europe with 10.

Mariam Alsadig Al Sedeeg Al Mahadi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan.

UN Photo / Loey Felipe Mariam Alsadig Al Sedeeg Al Mahadi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan, addresses the Security Council meeting on Peace and security in Africa. 8 July 2021.

Chart 10 Percentage of meetings and open VTCs by geographic region in 2021

Africa 91 49.46%
Middle East 58 31.52%
Asia 13 7.07%
Americas 12 6.52%
Europe 10 5.43%

Chart showing the Percentage of meetings by geographic region in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 10

Thematic and other issues

In 2021, 49 public meetings and 26 open videoconferences were held under agenda items of a thematic or cross-cutting nature. Among those meetings and open videoconferences combined, maintenance of international peace and security accounted for 18 of them, followed by meetings with troops or police contributing countries (eight), threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts (seven), UN peacekeeping operations and (six), cooperation with regional organizations (five), protection of civilians in armed conflict, weapons of mass destruction and threats to international peace and security (three respectively).

In addition, the Presidency of the Council continued the practice of conducting wrap-up sessions with the wider membership of the United Nations at the end of each month. Informal wrap-up sessions were held by all Council presidencies. Except for the months of January, February and March, all wrap-up sessions in 2021 were held in person. Consistent with the presidential note of 27 December 2019 (S/2019/994), most wrap up sessions were held utilizing the “Toledo-style” format, whereby members of the Council presented the activity of the Council for the month jointly and in an interactive manner.

Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President of Mexico and President of the Security Council for the month of November

UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe Andrés Manuel López Obrador, President of Mexico and President of the Security Council for the month of November, chairs the Security Council meeting on Exclusion, inequality and conflict under maintenance of international peace and security. 9 November 2021.

Decisions and Voting

According to Article 27 of the Charter of the United Nations, each Council member has one vote. An affirmative vote of nine members is required for decisions to be adopted on procedural and substantive matters, including in the latter case the concurrent votes of the permanent members. In addition to procedural decisions related to the adoption of the agenda, extension of invitations and adjournment of meetings, the Council adopts resolutions and issues presidential statements. Council decisions also take the form of notes and letters by the President of the Council. In 2021, the Council continued to follow a series of new working methods for conducting its work virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic introduced in 2020 and most notably reflected in successive letters by the President.

The Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution on Afghanistan.

UN Photo / Manuel Elías The Security Council unanimously adopts resolution 2585 (2021) extending the cross-border mechanism for humanitarian aid in northwest Syria. 9 July 2021.

In 2021, the Security Council adopted a total of 57 resolutions, issued 24 presidential statements, 39 notes by the President, and 170 letters by the President. Council members also issued 60 press statements.

57 resolutions
24 presidential
statements
 
39 notes by
the President
170 letters by
the President

Overview

In 2021, the Security Council adopted a total of 57 resolutions, issued 24 presidential statements, 39 notes by the President, and 170 letters by the President.

In 2021, the Council unanimously adopted a number of important resolutions concerning thematic and country or region-specific items. On 26 February 2021, by resolution 2565 (2021), co-sponsored by 115 member states, including all Council members, the Council called for the strengthening of national and multilateral approaches and international cooperation, such as the COVAX facility for increased COVID-19 vaccine access. By resolution 2573 (2021), adopted on 27 April, the Council strongly condemned attacks in situations of armed conflict directed against civilians or civilian objects, resulting in the deprivation to the civilian population of objects indispensable to their survival as flagrant violations of international humanitarian law. On 9 July 2021, the Council adopted resolution 2585 (2021), extending the cross-border mechanism for the provision of humanitarian aid into Syria (the first unanimous resolution on this matter since resolution 2165 (2014)). By resolution 2589 (2021), adopted on 18 August, the Council called on Member States to promote accountability for the killing of, and all acts of violence against United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations. The Council adopted resolution 2594 (2021) on 9 September 2021 as a presidential text, emphasizing the need for peace operations to engage on transitions at the earliest possible stage in integrated planning and coordination with the Resident Coordinators, United Nations Country Team, other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes as well as the host State. By resolution 2601 (2021) adopted on 29 October 2021, the Council called on all parties to safeguard, protect, respect, and promote the right to education, including in armed conflict, and reaffirmed its contribution to the achievement of peace and security. By resolution 2615 (2021), adopted on 22 December 2021, the Council decided that humanitarian assistance and other activities to support basic human needs in Afghanistan would not be a violation of the asset freeze imposed by resolutions 2255 (2015) on individuals and entities designated prior to the date of adoption of resolution 1988 (2011) as the Taliban, as well as other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with the Taliban in constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan. At the end of the year, on 30 December 2021, the Council adopted resolution 2617 (2021), extending the mandate of the Counterterrorism Committee Executive Directorate until 31 December 2025 while deciding to conduct an interim review by 31 December 2023.

The Security Council votes to authorize a one-year extension of the asset freeze and travel ban imposed in 2014 on individuals or entities threatening peace, security and stability in Yemen.

UN Photo / Cia Pak The Security Council unanimously adopts resolution 2599 (2021) extending until 31 January 2022 the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). Geraldine Byrne Nason, Permanent Representative of Ireland and President of the Security Council for the month of September, votes during the meeting on the situation in Libya. 30 September 2021.

In 2021, the Council also issued important presidential statements focusing on both thematic and country- or region-specific items. Of a thematic nature, at the outset of the year, in January 2021, the Council issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/1), marking the 20th anniversary of resolution 1373 (2001), which established the Counter Terrorism Committee. The Council issued three presidential statements (S/PRST/2021/2, S/PRST/2021/3, and S/PRST/2021/16), in January, February and August 2021, encouraging cooperation with regional organizations such as the League of Arab States, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the G5 Sahel and the African Union. With regard to the League of Arab States, the Council issued its second presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/2) further to the statement issued on 13 June 2019 (S/PRST/2019/5), supporting the holding of an annual briefing by its Secretary-General to further promote the cooperation with the Security Council on matters relating to the maintenance of peace and security. In April 2021, recalling resolution 2365 (2017), the Council issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/8) emphasizing the importance of mine action and the need to enhance international efforts in this field, particularly in situations of armed conflict. In November 2021, the Council issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/23), expressing its continued commitment to foster interaction on regular basis with the General Assembly, ECOSOC, ICJ, and the Secretariat, in particular on matters relating to preventive diplomacy tools and mechanisms. Of a country-specific nature, the Council issued a presidential statement in March 2021 (S/PRST/2021/5), reiterating its deep concerns following the declaration of the state of emergency imposed by the military and the arbitrary detention of members of the Government in Myanmar. In September 2021, it issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/18) encouraging Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Sudan to resume negotiations at the invitation of the Chairperson of the African Union to finalize expeditiously the text of a mutually acceptable and binding agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project (GERD).

Chart 11 Number of resolutions, presidential statements, notes, and letters by the President 2012-2021

Chart showing the Number of resolutions, presidential statements, notes, and letters by the President 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 11

In 2021, the Council failed to adopt two draft resolutions. First, in July 2021, the Council failed to adopt a draft resolution proposed concerning the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (S/2021/667) due to an insufficient number of affirmative votes (S/PV.8823). Secondly, in December 2021, a draft resolution proposed in connection with the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security” and in relation to the issue of climate and security (S/2021/990) failed to be adopted due to the veto of a permanent member of the Security Council (S/PV.8926).

In 2021, further to the discussions held in the context of the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions, the Council issued five new notes by the President in connection with the working methods of the Council. On 12 July 2021, the Council issued four notes concerning the preparation of incoming elected members (S/2021/645), the role of political coordinators in permanent missions with respect to the implementation of the Council’s working methods (S/2021/646), the role of the Presidency and the monthly working methods commitments by Council presidencies (S/2021/647) and multilingualism in the work of the Council (S/2021/648). On 22 December 2021, the Council issued one additional note (S/2021/1074). The Council committed to maintaining its state of readiness under all circumstances, in an effort to ensure that it can function continuously in accordance with Article 28 of the Charter of the United Nations.

In 2021, the Council issued 170 letters by the President compared to 242 in 2020 and 32 in 2019. The exponential increase in letters by the President since 2020 is largely explained by the new working methods of the Council developed further to the COVID-19 pandemic, which established that for open videoconferences a letter by the President would be circulated containing a compilation of statements delivered by Council members and briefers as well as written statements submitted by non-Council members (S/2020/253 and S/2020/273). In addition, due to the impact of the pandemic on the functioning of the Council, successive presidencies in 2020 and 2021 continued to issue monthly letters regulating the working methods of the Council, virtually and in person.

Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya and President of the Security Council for the month of October.

UN Photo / Evan Schneider Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya and President of the Security Council for the month of October, chairs the Security Council meeting on Children and armed conflict. Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2601 (2021) on Protection of education in conflict during the meeting. 29 October 2021.

Procedural votes

In 2021, no procedural matters were put to a vote by the Council as opposed to one in 2020 and two in 2019. The difficulties imposed by the pandemic on the holding of meetings in person in 2020 and the first half of 2021 as well as the absence of a mechanism to vote remotely on procedural matters, effectively impeded the ability of the Council to hold procedural votes. Chart 12 shows the total number of procedural votes over the past five years.

Chart 12 Procedural votes 2017-2021

Date Mtg # Procedural Matters Outcome
24 Oct 2017 8073 Agenda item deferment of consideration [The situation in the Middle East] Not adopted
16 Nov 2017 8105 Agenda item order [The situation in the Middle East] Not adopted
11 Dec 2017 8130 Aenda adoption [The situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea] Adopted
32017
Date Mtg # Procedural Matters Outcome
19 Mar 2018 8209 Agenda adoption [The situation in the Middle East] Not adopted
24 Oct 2018 8381 Agenda adoption [The situation in Myanmar] Adopted
30 Oct 2018 8386 Invitation to participate in the proceeding Not adopted
26 Nov 2018 8409 Agenda adoption [Maintenance of international peace and security] Not adopted
42018
Date Mtg # Procedural Matters Outcome
26 Jan 2019 8452 Agenda adoption [The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela] Adopted
20 May 2019 8529 Agenda adoption [Letter dated 13 April 2014 from the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2014/264)] Not adopted
22019
Date Mtg # Procedural Matters Outcome
5 Oct 2020 8764 Invitation to participate in the proceeding Not adopted
12020
02021
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Chart showing the Procedural votes 2017-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 12

Decisions by geographic region

In 2021, 42 of the 57 resolutions and 14 of the 24 presidential statements concerned country or region-specific situations or conflicts; Africa accounted for 26 resolutions and 11 presidential statements, followed by the Middle East with seven resolutions, and Asia with three resolutions and one presidential statement, Europe with three resolutions and one presidential statement, respectively, and Americas with three resolutions and one presidential statement.

The Security Council unanimously adopts resolution 2592 (2021) extending until 31 May 2022 the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia.

UN Photo / Manuel Elías The Security Council unanimously adopts resolution 2592 (2021) extending until 31 May 2022 the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) as set out in paragraph 1 of resolution 2158 (2014). Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia, addresses the Council meeting on the situation in Somalia. 30 August 2021.

Chart 13 Percentage of decisions by geographic region in 2021

Africa 37 66.07%
Middle East 7 12.5%
Asia 4 7.14%
Europe 4 7.14%
Americas 4 7.14%

Chart showing the Percentage of decisions by geographic region in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 13

Press statements

Raychelle Omamo speaking, briefing reporters.

UN Photo / Loey Felipe Raychelle Omamo, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya and President of the Security Council for the month of October, briefs reporters after the Security Council open debate on women and peace and security. 21 October 2021.

In 2021, Council members issued 60 press statements, 29 of which concerned political developments, peace and electoral processes, 30 of which concerned terrorist-related activities, attacks against civilians or attacks against United Nations personnel in the field and one of which concerned humanitarian issues. The most frequently referenced countries or regions in press statements were the following: Afghanistan (10 times), Mali (8 times), Iraq (6 times), Yemen and Myanmar (4 times each), and the Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia (3 times, respectively).

Figure 3 Frequency of countries referred to in press statements in 2021

Chart showing the Frequency of countries referred to in press statements in 2021

Chart showing the Frequency of countries referred to in press statements in 2021

Terrorist acts, attacks against civilians and UN personnel in the field 30 50%
Political developments, peace and electoral process 29 48.33%
Humanitarian situation 1 1.67%

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Figure 3

Sponsorship

Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramirez (left), Permanent Representative of Mexico and President of the Security Council for the month of November, speaks with delegates prior to the Security Council meeting on maintenance of international peace and security.

UN Photo / Evan Schneider Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramirez (left), Permanent Representative of Mexico and President of the Security Council for the month of November, speaks with delegates prior to the Security Council meeting on maintenance of international peace and security. 16 November 2021.

A Council member or any other Member State, whether Council member or not, that directly submits a draft resolution is referred to as a sponsor or co-sponsor. A draft resolution co-sponsored by all Council members is referred to as a “presidential text”. In 2021, six presidential texts were adopted, all under thematic agenda items, compared to one in 2020 and none in 2019. In 2021, resolutions 2565 (2021), 2594 (2021) and 2589 (2021) recorded the three highest number of sponsors (115, 97 and 80 member states, respectively).

Chart 14 Number of presidential texts for the period 2012-2021

Chart showing the Number of decisions adopted under country-specific or regional situations with provisions on POC, WPS or CAAC 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 14

Voting

The Security Council voted on a resolution on climate and security under maintenance of international peace and security.

UN Photo / Loey Felipe The Security Council voted on a resolution on climate and security under maintenance of international peace and security. The resolution was not adopted with 12 votes in favour, 2 against (India, Russian Federation) and 1 abstention (China). 13 December 2021.

In 2021, 48 out of 57 resolutions (or 84%), were adopted unanimously compared to 77% in 2020 (an increase of 7%). Of the nine resolutions not adopted unanimously, three were adopted in relation to the Central African Republic and one in connection with the situation in the Middle East (Yemen), Sudan and South Sudan, Afghanistan, Western Sahara, Somalia and the thematic agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security”, respectively. Except for resolution 2593 (2021) on the situation in Afghanistan and resolution 2616 (2021) concerning the illicit transfer and misuse of small arms and light weapons, all draft resolutions not adopted unanimously concerned the issue of sanctions.

In 2021, the Council also adopted by acclamation resolution 2580 (2021), recommending to the General Assembly that Mr. António Guterres be appointed Secretary-General of the United Nations for a second term of office, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026. In addition, on 29 June 2021, the Council adopted by consensus resolution 2583 (2021), deciding that the election to a vacancy in the International Court of Justice would take place on 5 November 2021.

In 2021, there was one instance of a veto cast by a permanent member of the Security Council concerning a draft resolution proposed in connection with the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace and security” on the issue of climate and security (S/2021/990). The Council also failed to adopt one draft resolution on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (S/2021/667) due to an insufficient number of affirmative votes.

In the period 2012 to 2021, the Council adopted a total of 585 resolutions, out of which 515 or 88% were adopted unanimously. In this period, 34 vetoes were cast in connection with 24 draft resolutions. The chart below shows the voting record for draft resolutions tabled in the period 2012-2021, illustrating the number of draft resolutions adopted unanimously, and non-unanimously, as well as the number of draft resolutions vetoed or not adopted due to the failure to obtain the required number of votes.

Chart 15 Voting on draft resolutions in the period 2012-2021

Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
4 February 2012 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
19 July 2012 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
136 13 51 10 2012
145 14 57 16 2013
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
15 March 2014 Russian Federation Letter dated 28 February 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2014/136)
22 May 2014 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
208 10 54 14 2014
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
8 July 2015 Russian Federation The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
29 July 2015 Russian Federation Letter dated 28 February 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2014/136)
201 11 58 28 2015
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
8 October 2016 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
5 December 2016 Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
201 23 76 27 2016
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
28 February 2017 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
12 April 2017 Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
24 October 2017 Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
16 November 2017 Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
17 November 2017 Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
18 December 2017 USA The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
234 17 59 30 2017
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
26 February 2018 Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
10 April 2018 Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
1 June 2018 USA The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
226 11 71 42 2018
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
28 February 2019 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
19 September 2019 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
20 December 2019 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
228 19 73 67 2019
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
7 July 2020 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
10 July 2020 China, Russian Federation The situation in the Middle East (Syria)
31 August 2020 USA Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts
44 13 4 3 2020
Date Permanent member casting veto Agenda item
13 December 2021 Russian Federation Maintenance of international peace and security
48 9 1 1 2021
  • 80
  • 70
  • 60
  • 50
  • 40
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10
Adopted unanimously
Adopted non-unanimously
Not adopted due to insufficient number of votes
Veto

Chart showing the Voting on draft resolutions in the period 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 15

Cross-cutting issues in country-specific decisions of the Security Council

Malala Yousafzai, Co-founder and Board Chair of the Malala Fund, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan.

UN Photo / Manuel Elías Malala Yousafzai, Co-founder and Board Chair of the Malala Fund, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan. 9 September 2021.

In 2021, the Council continued its practice of including provisions on cross-cutting issues, namely the protection of civilians (POC), women and peace and security (WPS) and children and armed conflict (CAAC), in its resolutions and presidential statements relating to country-specific or regional situations. In 2021, the Council adopted 56 resolutions and presidential statements relating to country-specific or regional situations, 45 of which contained one or more provisions on POC (80.3%); 37 of which contained one or more provisions on WPS (66.1%); and 25 of which contained one or more provisions on CAAC (44.6%).

Chart 16 Number of decisions adopted under country-specific or regional situations with provisions on POC, WPS or CAAC 2012-2021

Chart showing the Number of decisions adopted under country-specific or regional situations with provisions on POC, WPS or CAAC 2012-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 16

Resolutions under Chapter VII

In 2021, out of a total of 57 resolutions, the Council adopted 27 resolution explicitly under Chapter VII of the Charter, including resolution 2569 (2021) adopted under the agenda item “Non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, under Article 41 of Chapter VII of the Charter. Out of the 27 resolutions adopted under Chapter VII, 19 concerned the African continent (70%) and 21 were adopted unanimously (78%), a slight increase with respect to 2020, when 19 out of 26 resolutions (73%) with an explicit reference to Chapter VII were adopted unanimously.

Valentine Rugwabiza, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda.

UN Photo / Evan Schneider Valentine Rugwabiza, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda, addresses the Security Council meeting on the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. 8 June 2021.

Chart 17 Resolutions adopted explicitly under Chapter VII of the Charter in 2021

5 Somalia
5 Sudan and South Sudan
3 Central African Republic
3 Terrorist acts
2 Democratic Republic of the Congo
2 Libya
2 Mail
1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
1 Maintenance of International Peace and Security
1 Middle East
1 Non-proliferation/DPRK
1 Weapons of mass destruction
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Chart showing the Resolutions adopted explicitly under Chapter VII of the Charter in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 17

Subsidiary Bodies

Article 29 of the Charter of the United Nations provides that the Security Council may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions. This is also reflected in Rule 28 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure.

Throughout its history, the Council has established a wide variety of subsidiary organs, such as committees, working groups, investigative bodies, tribunals, ad hoc commissions, as well as peacekeeping and special political missions and sanctions committees, and their mandate can range from procedural matters to substantive ones.

UN Photo / Gregorio Cunha Peacekeepers from China serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) patrol Kuda, a village 90km west of Juba in South Sudan. 5 July 2021.

In 2021, the Council adopted decisions concerning the mandate of nine peacekeeping operations (out of 12 that were in operation) and ten special political missions (out of 12 that were in operation), primarily extending their mandates. The Council did not terminate or establish any mission in 2021.

12 peacekeeping operations
12 special political missions

UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions

In 2021, the Council unanimously adopted two resolutions and issued two presidential statements concerning peacekeeping operations, specifically two presidential statements and a resolution on the safety and security of peacekeepers and one resolution concerning mission transitions. Both resolutions were adopted as presidential texts, having been sponsored by all Council members.

By a presidential statement issued on 24 May 2021 (S/PRST/2021/11), the Council requested the Secretary-General to continue to take all appropriate measures to improve the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel, and to review and ensure uniformity of UN standards on training and performance. On 18 August 2021, by resolution 2589 (2021) the Council called on host states to work with peacekeeping missions to enhance the safety and security of mission personnel. On that same date, the Council also issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/2021/17) recognizing the potential of technology to improve the performance and safety and security of peacekeepers, underscoring the need for the Secretary-General and troop- and police-contributing countries to ensure that missions were adequately resourced and all peacekeepers in the field were willing, capable and equipped to implement their mandate effectively and safely. By resolution 2594 (2021) of 9 September 2021, the Council emphasized the need for peace operations to engage on transitions at the earliest possible stage in integrated planning and coordination with the Resident Coordinators, United Nations Country Team, other United Nations agencies, funds and programmes as well as the host State.

Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo, MINUSCA Gender Advocacy Officer, on field visit in Mbomou, Central African Republic.

UN Photo / Luboš Podhorský Peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) monitors the situation in the buffer zone. 17 June 2021.

In 2021, the Council adopted decisions concerning the mandate of nine peacekeeping operations (out of 12 that were in operation) and ten special political missions (out of 12 that were in operation), primarily extending their mandates. The Council did not terminate or establish any mission in 2021.

In 2021, the Council extended the mandates of nine peacekeeping operations (MINURSO, MONUSCO, MINUSCA, UNISFA, UNMISS, MINUSMA, UNFICYP, UNDOF and UNIFIL), as well as nine special political missions (UNOCA, UNSMIL, UNSOM, UNITAMS, the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia, BINUH, UNAMA, UNAMI and UNMHA). The mandates of three long standing peacekeeping missions (UNMOGIP, UNMIK and UNTSO), and two special political missions (UNRCCA and UNSCOL) remained open-ended while the mandate of UNOWAS had been extended in 2020 until 2023. The Council modified the duration of the mandates of three missions, establishing shorter mandate periods for UNAMA (six months), UNSOM (nine months), UNSMIL (four months) and the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (six months) and a longer mandate for UNMHA (one year).

On 2 August 2021, the Council issued a presidential statement noting the completion of the drawdown of UNAMID on 30 June 2021 and recognized the progress made in Darfur since the Mission’s deployment in 2007 (S/PRST/2021/14).

Changes in mandate and in the authorized strength

Security Council unanimously adopts a resolution 2552 (2020), authorizing a one-year mandate extension of MINUSCA.

UN Photo / Michael Ali Peacekeepers from Malawi serving with the Force Intervention Brigade of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) are deployed to the area of Kamango, in the North Kivu Province, to protect the population after recent attacks on civilians. 15 May 2021.

In 2021, the Council amended the mandates of six peacekeeping operations and eight special political missions. As part of these changes, the Council introduced new elements to the work of eight missions in support of the participation of women, youth, civil society and other marginalized groups in political decision-making, elections, conflict prevention and resolution, and sustaining peace. In the context of elections scheduled for 2021 or 2022 as well as ongoing political transitions expected to lead to elections, the Council tasked MINUSCA, MINUSMA, UNMISS, UNOCA, UNSOM and UNSMIL with planning, security and logistical support to national electoral authorities. In addition, UNAMI was requested to monitor the elections in Iraq. As part of the political transitions in Libya and the Sudan, the Council provided further details to the ceasefire monitoring tasks of UNSMIL and UNITAMS, while the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia was expanded to include support for transitional justice mechanisms established under the Colombian peace agreement. Moreover, the Council also defined several operational capacities and existing mandate obligations for the Secretary-General to fully implement during the upcoming mandate periods of MINUSCA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, UNISFA and UNMISS. Further details are available in the Field Missions Dashboard prepared by the Security Council Affairs Division.

In addition, in 2021, MINUSCA, MONUSCO and UNISFA underwent a revision of their authorized uniformed personnel strength. By resolution 2556 (2021), the Council increased the authorized size of MINUSCA’s military component from 11,650 to 14,400 and its police component from 2,080 to 3,020 personnel. By resolutions 2609 (2021) and 2612 (2021), the Council also decreased the military components of UNISFA and MONUSCO, respectively, from 3,550 to 3,250 and from 14,000 to 13,500 troops.

Figure 4 UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions in 2021

UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions in 2021

UN Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions in 2021
yellow Peacekeeping Operation
teal Special Political Mission

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD

Sanctions and other Committees and Working Groups

Security Council Committees and Working Groups met a cumulative number of 113 times in 2021, in the context of both in-person and virtual meetings and briefings. A total of 8 briefings to Member States were held virtually and in person by sanctions and other committees.

Michele Coninsx, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), briefs the Security Council on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

UN Photo / Evan Schneider Inga Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Chair of the Security Council Informal Working Group on Documentation and other Procedural Questions, addresses the Security Council meeting on the Implementation of the note by the President of the Security Council and the working methods of the Security Council. 16 June 2021.

Chart 18 Meetings and briefings per Sanctions and other Committees and Working Groups in 2021

3 1 6 WG on Children and Armed Conflict
2 5 1 1718 Sanctions Committee (DPRK)
1 5 IWG on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions
3 4 1 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee
1 4 1591 Sudan Sanctions Committee
1 3 4Ad hoc WG on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa
2 3 1267 ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee
1 2 3 1 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee
2 3 2140 Sanctions Committee (Yemen)
1 4 2206 South Sudan Sanctions Committee
1 2 2 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee
3 2 1540 Committee
3 2 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee
1 2 1988 Sanctions Committee
4 2 751 Somalia Sanctions Committee
1 1 1 2374 Mali Sanctions Committee
1 1 WG on Peacekeeping Operations
2 IWG International Tribunals
  • 3
  • 6
  • 9
  • 12
Formal Meetings
Joint Meetings
Informal Meetings
VTC Meetings
VTC Briefings to Member States

Chart showing the Meetings and briefings per Sanctions and other Committees and Working Groups in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 18

Chairs of Sanctions and other Committees and Working Groups

According to the presidential note of 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507), the members of the Security Council should make every effort to agree provisionally on the appointment of the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies for the following year by no later than 1 October (S/2020/2). The presidential note of 27 December 2019 (S/2019/991) provides further that the selection of the Chairs should take place in a balanced, transparent, efficient and inclusive way. In 2021, the number of women Chairs of subsidiary bodies was 7 (30%), while the number of male Chairs was 16 (70%) and the number of female experts in a Panel/Group of Experts was 22 (38%) while the number of male experts was 36 (62%).

Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of Indonesia briefs the videoconference with Security Council members.

UN Photo/Loey Felipe A view of the Security Council meeting where it adopted a resolution extending for one year its arms embargo on the Central African Republic (CAR) and renewing for 13 months the mandate of the Panel of Experts tasked with assisting that body by a vote of 14 in favour to none against with 1 abstention (China). A representative from the People’s Republic of China signals his country’s abstention in the Security Council vote. 29 July 2021.

Chart 19 Chairs of Sanctions and other Committees and Working Groups 2017-2021

Chart showing the Individuals and entities listed

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 19

Individuals and entities on Security Council sanctions and restrictive measures lists

In 2021, a total of 717 individuals and 257 entities were subject to United Nations targeted sanctions and restrictive measures such as assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. A consolidated list containing the names of the individuals and entities subject to United Nations targeted measures is also available on the Security Council website. In 2021, 13 individuals and one entity were added to the list. The charts below illustrate the number of listed individuals and entities for each sanctions committee as well as those added this year. Information on each committee, including individuals and entities designated by the relevant committee and the applicable sanctions measures, as well as the procedures for the processing of listing and delisting requests can be found on the Security Council website.

Trine Skarboevik Heimerback, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway.

UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe Trine Skarboevik Heimerback, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway, briefs the Security Council as Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities. 2 December 2021.

Chart 20 Individuals and entities listed as of 31 December 2021

  Individuals listed 257 26.39%
  Entities listed 717 73.61%
90 263 ISIL/Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime
5 135 1988 Sanctions Regime
13 81 1518 Sanctions Regime (Iraq)
75 80 1718 Sanctions Regime (DPRK)
9 36 DRC Sanctions Regime
2 29 Libya Sanctions Regime
61 23 Implementation of resolution 2231(2015)*
1 18 Somalia Sanctions Regime
1 14 CAR Sanctions Regimes
0 10 Guinea-Bissau Sanctions Regime
0 9 2140 Sanctions Regime (Yemen)
0 8 Mali Sanctions Regime
0 8 South Sudan Sanctions Regime
0 3 Sudan Sanctions Regime
  • 350
  • 300
  • 250
  • 200
  • 150
  • 100
  • 50

Chart showing the Individuals and entities listed as of 31 December 2021

* Upon implementation of resolution 2231 (2015)

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 20

De-listings from Security Council sanctions committees’ lists in 2021

In 2021, 37 entities and 8 individuals were removed (also referred to as “de-listed”) from the respective sanctions lists. De-listing requests in relation to the ISIL (Da’esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List are submitted directly to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee or the Office of the Ombudsperson. De-listing requests with respect to all other sanctions’ lists are submitted to the respective sanctions committees or through the Focal Point for De-listing in the Secretariat. Any Member State can propose the de-listing of an individual or an entity. The relevant committee then considers the proposal, often in consultation with the designating State, and makes a final decision on whether or not to de-list. Often those proposing de-listings are the State of citizenship or residence of a listed individual, the State of location or place of registration of a listed entity, the designating State itself, or a Council member.

Chart 21 De-listings from Security Council Sanctions Committees in 2021

  Individuals delisted 8 17.78%
  Entities delisted 37 82.22%
3641518 Sanctions Regime (Iraq)
1CAR Sanctions Regime
3ISIL/Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime
1Sudan Sanctions Regime
  • 40
  • 30
  • 20
  • 10

Chart showing the De-listings from Security Council Sanctions Committees in 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 21

Activities of the Focal Point for De-listing and Office of the Ombudsperson

Mona Freij (on screen), Civil Society representative, addresses the Council on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

UN Photo / Manuel Elías Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, briefs the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. The Council hears the thirteenth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2021/682). 19 August 2021.

In addition to the Member States’ ability to de-list, two mechanisms have been established to strengthen the de-listing process: the Office of the Focal Point for De-listing and the Office of the Ombudsperson. Established in 2006, the Office of the Focal Point for De-listing has received a total of 114 requests to de-list individuals and/or entities. 105 of these requests have been processed with 9 pending. As a result of this process, a total of 17 individuals and 17 entities have been de-listed and 51 individuals and 20 entities remain on the list. The Office of the Ombudsperson, established to serve as the de-listing mechanism for the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, has received a total of 100 requests to de-list individuals and/or entities since 2009, of which 93 have been processed and seven are pending. As a result, a total of 60 individuals and 28 entities have been de-listed and 22 listings remain. On 17 December 2021, the Council adopted resolution 2610 (2021), acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, extending the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsperson for an additional period of 30 months.

Chart 22 De-listings by the Focal Point for De-listing as of the end of 2021

114 Total requests
received
105 Total requests
processed
9 Total requests
pending
  • 20
  • 40
  • 60
  • 80
  • 100
  • 120

Chart showing the De-listings by the Focal Point for De-listing as of the end of 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 22

Chart 23 De-listings by the Office of the Ombudsperson as of the end of 2021

100 Total requests
received
93 Total requests
processed
7 Total requests
pending
  • 20
  • 40
  • 60
  • 80
  • 100

Chart showing the De-listings by the Office of the Ombudsperson as of the end of 2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 23

Mandate extensions of Security Council Subsidiary Bodies

The chart below shows the number of Council resolutions extending the mandate of subsidiary bodies of the Council per month over the last five years.

A farewell ceremony is for late peacekeeper Rizk Ahmed from Egypt serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Corporal Ahmed lost his life in an explosive device attack on 15 January.

UN Photo / Harandane Dicko A farewell ceremony is for late peacekeeper Rizk Ahmed from Egypt serving with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Corporal Ahmed lost his life in an explosive device attack on 15 January. 19 June 2021.

Chart 24 Mandate renewal per month 2017-2021

Chart showing the Mandate renewal per month 2017-2021

SOURCE: SCPCRB/SCAD Expand Chart 24

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