Claudia Banz leads the Security Council Affairs Department: a woman from Zug at the center of the UN system

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For almost 20 years, the former journalist has worked alternately at the headquarters of the United Nations and for various UN peacekeeping missions, such as those in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monusco) or those in Mali (Minusma).

During her work on the peacekeeping missions, Banz was confronted with the conflicts discussed by the major powers in the Security Council, among others. It was sheer coincidence that she took over as head of the Security Council’s affairs department when Switzerland became a non-permanent member of the Security Council for two years from January 2023, Banz said in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency.

The Zug resident manages a team of around 180 people on a daily basis. This should ensure that the Council’s work works, support the monthly rotating presidency in organizing the body’s meetings and prevent it from “misusing its position for national, political purposes”. Because it’s not just about a different delegation from a different state, but also a different culture and a different approach, says Banz.

The department is also concerned with overseeing the sanctions regime that the Council has enacted against certain states – such as North Korea. And she answers questions from members about the background of the panel discussions. “We have to avoid surprises,” Banz said in an interview. This also included votes on procedural issues and precedents.

For years, the UN Security Council has been largely blocked by tensions between the great powers. And since the start of the war in Ukraine, things have become even more difficult, says Banz. Your secretariat is increasingly becoming a pure intermediary that facilitates contacts between members.

Despite all the obstacles and the body’s lack of efficiency, the Zug resident did not hesitate to accept the mandate: “I still believe in the Charter of the United Nations,” says Banz, spurred on by the fact that she works with nationals of all countries.

Despite everything, the Security Council, “the center of the UN system”, manages to make important decisions – as recently on the issue of Afghan women. In a resolution, the Security Council had unanimously called on the Taliban, who rule Afghanistan, to end their anti-women policy.

“There is no alternative,” says Banz. And, “It’s always better to be in a room and confront each other than when that option isn’t there.” Your “Swiss side” in the mandate is also an advantage, even if the situation has changed somewhat since the war in Ukraine, Banz added. “The Swiss have a high degree of credibility and a lot of good will,” she says.

The experience gained by participating in and working on various UN missions will help the born Zug in her role in the UN Security Council. She can also imagine taking part in such a peacekeeping mission again in a few years, perhaps again in Africa.

(SDA)

Source:Blick