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UN SECURITY COUNCIL AND COVID–19 A blog by Pat Black Soroptimist International 29 May 2020

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#HEARMYSIVOICE

Soroptimist International supports all activities which work towards achieving SDG 16, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. However, we do not hear of the work of the UN Security Council very often. I was invited recently through National Alliance of Women’s Organisations (NAWO) UK, to attend a virtual consultation with NGOs and the current President of the UN Security Council, His Excellency Sven Jurgenson of Estonia.

It was a very interesting meeting attended by about 90 representatives from a wide range of non governmental organisations with consultative status at the UN. The President indicated that initially after 12 March 2020 when the UN closed its doors very little took place at the Security Council whilst they were trying to work out how to make progress during the current COVID–19 pandemic. Once they decided to work virtually it took them some time to set up secure sessions, beginning with only what was considered essential work with closed sessions. The UN has now moved to a full programme and is trying to open as many sessions as possible to include civil society. There are also side meetings happening on specific issues with NGOs included in some discussions. 

Over the next 3 months the Presidency of the UN Security Council will be held by Estonia, France and Germany, all partner European Union countries. It has been agreed to run that time jointly, so the programme of work will be consistent over the three months and will not be disrupted. It is intended that their work be open and transparent and all documents will be published on the UN website.

At the end of March UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres made an appeal to the world to cease fire in all conflicts during the pandemic.

“To warring parties, I say: Pull back from hostilities. Put aside mistrust and animosity. Silence the guns, stop the artillery, end the airstrikes…” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Further information:  https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/un-security-council-and-covid-19/