Switzerland takes over the presidency of the UN Security Council for the first time

Switzerland has taken over the presidency of the UN Security Council for a month. Her tenure at the head of the main UN body began Monday at midnight New York time (6 a.m. Swiss time).

The role is mainly protocol: Switzerland plans and chairs the meetings of the UN Security Council and represents the Council to the outside world, for example at the UN General Assembly, as the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) writes for its part. Depending on current events, it may also convene at the request of other members.

At the same time, the Swiss Presidency offers the opportunity to “focus on its priorities” and to give the Council “an impetus for its actions”. According to the FDFA, these Swiss priorities include promoting sustainable peace, protecting the civilian population, strengthening international humanitarian law and the impact of climate change on security and peace policy.

The Presidency may also organize its own meetings to give greater weight to these priorities. That is why Switzerland is planning two such “flagship events”: a first will take place on Wednesday, when Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will lead an open debate on the topic of “promoting lasting peace”.

At the end of May, Federal President Alain Berset will travel to New York to hold an open debate on the theme of “protection of the civilian population”. According to the EDA, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric should also participate. Also in late May, Defense Secretary Viola will chair a council meeting in New York to mark the 75th anniversary of UN peacekeeping.

Switzerland, which has been a non-permanent member of the Council for two years since January this year, has been preparing for this presidency for some time. The teams in Bern, New York and Geneva have been strengthened in recent months. A second presidency is scheduled for October 2024. (sda)