Briefings by Chairs of Subsidiary Bodies of the Security Council - Security Council, 9218th Meeting

Outgoing Chairs of Security Council subsidiary bodies emphasized to the 15-member organ today the importance of listening to varied perspectives, conducting field visits and remaining free of political considerations, as speakers alternately highlighted the importance of sanctions regimes and suggested ways to ensure they are developed and used effectively.

Over the course of the meeting, the Chairs of nine subsidiary bodies briefed the Council on the work of Committees and Working Groups concerning, inter alia, certain terrorist groups and the situations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Libya, Afghanistan and Mali.

Fergal Mythen (Ireland), Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning al-Shabaab, detailed his delegation’s innovations during its time as Chair. Ireland was the first to invite Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and for Children in Armed Conflict to brief the Committee, he said, emphasizing that such briefings should occur regularly going forward. “Sanctions must be a dynamic tool,” he stressed, stating that dialogue with stakeholders is critical for sanctions regimes to remain effective and evolve in line with changes on the ground. Noting that four senior members of al-Shabaab were listed under targeted sanctions during Ireland’s time as Chair, he said this demonstrates the regime’s utility as an accountability tool in Somalia. While he was not able to visit Somalia as the Committee’s Chair, he recommended that such a visit take place as a matter of priority in 2023.

Mona Juul (Norway), Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006) relating to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and of the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, stressed that the sanctions regime remains an important instrument to curb Pyongyang’s ability to fund its weapons-of-mass-destruction programme. Noting that the Committee was able to reach consensus on a conversion rate for restrictions on delivery of refined petroleum products — a so-called “oil cap” — she suggested that the Committee also update weapons control lists and seek further designations of vessels and individuals who contribute to sanctions evasion. On developments in the Working Group, she spotlighted the unanimous adoption of a resolution concerning the protection of education and armed conflict, proposed by her country and Niger.

Ruchira Kamboj (India), Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1988 (2011) concerning Libya and Afghanistan, respectively, detailed the work of those subsidiary bodies. Emphasizing that the 5 permanent members of the Council should respect the positions of the 10 elected ones, she expressed concern that the functioning of Committees is still not transparent. Subsidiary bodies are still shrouded in mystery — especially to non-Council members — and the credibility of any Committee depends on how objective and fair its decisions are perceived to be. Any impression that decisions are made based on political preferences rather than objective, evidence-based reasoning, she stressed, will continue to damage the Committees’ credibility.

Michael Kapkiai Kiboino (Kenya), Chair of the ad hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa, stated that its guiding principle was “Listening Better to African Country Perspectives, and Learning Lessons from Successes in Conflict Prevention, Resolution and Transition”. In this vein, the Group organized bilateral consultations with African countries, inviting them to share their experiences and perspectives. Urging the Council to remain seized of topics discussed in the Group, he also suggested that the subsidiary body consider utilizing field visits to enrich its deliberations. On that point, he urged future Chairs to consider making an annual trip to Addis Ababa to gain an enhanced understanding of the African Union’s work on conflict prevention, management and resolution.

Juan Ramón de la Fuente Ramírez (Mexico), Chair of the Committees established pursuant to resolutions 1540 (2004) and 2374 (2017) concerning non-proliferation and Mali, respectively, reported on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the work of both subsidiary bodies. On the latter Committee’s work, he noted that it worked to promote greater coordination of the sanctions regime by holding meetings with representatives of Mali and other regional stakeholders. This facilitated the identification of opportunities to enforce international travel bans on eight listed individuals. Underscoring the importance of country visits, he urged the authorities of Mali and nations in the region to facilitate the same.

Trine Skarboevik Heimerback, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida, spotlighted the need to maintain Council unity through continuous efforts by all members, both permanent and elected. Stressing that the Committee must remain focused on its core tasks, she said the sanctions regime would have benefited if the Committee was able to agree on more proposed designations before it. Using the sanctions regime as a tool to promote other agendas will only harm its efficacy and legitimacy, she said, adding that the Committee would also have benefited from discussing sexual and gender-based violence committed by ISIL/Da’esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates.

The meeting began at 3:04 p.m. and ended at 3:58 p.m.

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