The United States will assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a one-month term. This transition comes after the United Kingdom held the position in November. According to the UN Charter, the UNSC plays a critical role in maintaining international peace and security, and its presidency rotates among its 15 members in English alphabetical order. The presidency carries with it the responsibility of shaping the agenda for the month and overseeing the council’s discussions and operations.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, will lead the charge during this period, with her first major task being a press conference at the UN Headquarters. This event is expected to outline the UNSC’s program of work for December, which is expected to focus heavily on the ongoing and evolving issues in the Middle East, particularly the Gaza Strip and tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
One of the significant challenges faced by the United States in taking the helm of the UNSC this month is managing diplomatic tensions, particularly with Russia. In a statement to the Russian news agency TASS, Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, hinted that Russia might block the proposed UNSC agenda if it sees any attempt by the United States to prioritize its national interests over broader international concerns. This mirrors Russia’s behavior in early November, when it blocked a proposed working program by the UK, which included a session on Ukraine.
Polyansky argued that the UNSC’s working agenda must be in line with the established mandate cycles of the council, which means topics like the ongoing conflict in Ukraine should not dominate the discussions unless they fall under the UN’s official reporting parameters. This point of contention underscores the complex and often contentious nature of the UNSC, where the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, and the US) wield veto power.
As the United States prepares to guide the UNSC through December, the focus will largely shift to issues that continue to destabilize the Middle East. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as the complex geopolitical dynamics at play along the Israeli-Lebanese border, will likely dominate discussions. The situation is fraught with challenges, from long-standing political and military conflicts to humanitarian concerns, which will require careful diplomacy from all involved.
The United States, as a permanent member of the UNSC, has consistently played a leading role in addressing global crises, but its presidency for the month of December will require deft management of the council’s varied interests. This is especially crucial as the UNSC prepares to hold around two dozen open sessions and closed consultations during the month. These discussions will cover a wide range of security concerns, and with the involvement of the permanent members, it is expected that significant attention will be given to Middle Eastern security issues.
In terms of structure, the UNSC is composed of 15 members in total, including the five permanent members and ten non-permanent members. The latter group, which includes countries like Algeria, Ecuador, and Japan, rotates every two years. While non-permanent members do not possess veto power, they still play a significant role in shaping the council’s actions and decisions. As of December 2024, the non-permanent members also include Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and South Korea, all of whom will have a voice in determining the Security Council’s priorities this month.
The presidency of the UNSC is not just about setting the agenda; it also includes chairing the council’s meetings, facilitating discussions, and ensuring that decisions are made in a way that respects the UN Charter’s commitment to maintaining peace and international security. As the United States takes on this role for the next month, it will be crucial to see how it navigates the challenges of maintaining a balanced and cooperative environment within the UNSC.
Looking ahead, the presidency will continue to rotate among the UNSC members, and in January 2025, Algeria, a non-permanent member, will take the lead. However, for now, all eyes will be on the US as it works to steer the UNSC through what promises to be a month of critical international discussions.
