Dmitry Polyanskiy (Russian Federation) on the Programme of Work of the Security Council other topics - Security Council Media Stakeout

From the remarks of H.E. Mr. Dmitry A. Polyanskiy:

"As you know, there are plenty of situations when countries ask for additional meetings for different reasons, when there are developments on the ground that require our attention. But normally there is a long-standing tradition and an understanding that the items included into this informal document are, first of all, consensual for all Council members. It means that the President takes an effort to work out a program that would be supported by everybody. If necessary, it may go to the lowest common denominator. And there were cases like this in my memory.

Secondly, there is a tradition that the meetings that are included in the program are motivated and the necessity to include them is supported by the [Security Council] mandating and reporting cycle. It means that if there is a resolution of the Council, if there is a necessity to renew or modify a mandate of a UN presence or a panel of experts; or if there is a provision of a resolution that Secretary-General is reporting to the Council, then we have this meeting regularly. All other meetings are to be requested by Council members. And of course, the agenda for each meeting and each day is adopted only at the moment when the President of the Council hits the gavel. So, we shouldn't overestimate the significance of this document."