Tue Oct 01 21:56:42 UTC 2024: ## Switzerland to Host Key Security Council Events in October

**New York, August 2024** – Switzerland is set to take the presidency of the UN Security Council in October, marking a busy month with a packed agenda. Two signature events are planned, focusing on the impact of scientific developments on international peace and security, and the role of women in building peace.

**Science and Security:** The Swiss government will host a briefing on “anticipating the impact of scientific developments on international peace and security,” chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis. This session will fall under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item.

**Women Building Peace:** The annual open debate on women, peace and security (WPS) will be held under the title “Women Building Peace in a Changing Environment,” with Swiss President Viola Amherd presiding. The event will feature briefings from Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, and civil society representatives.

**Africa Focus:** October will see the Security Council’s annual briefing on cooperation between the UN and regional organizations, with a particular focus on the African Union (AU). This will be followed by the 18th annual joint consultative meeting between the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), taking place in New York on October 18th. Leading up to this, a ninth informal joint seminar will be held in Tarrytown, New York on October 16th and 17th.

**International Justice:** The Security Council will also hold its annual private meeting with the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Nawaf Salam.

**Other Issues:** The Security Council will also address a number of other issues including:

* **African issues:** Discussions will include the situations in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mali.
* **Middle Eastern issues:** The agenda includes the situation in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
* **European issues:** The Security Council will hold a briefing on the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), and several meetings on the situation in Ukraine are expected.
* **Americas:** The Security Council will discuss the situations in Haiti and Venezuela.

Additional issues may be raised depending on developments.

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