When people think about the United Nations, they often think of the Security Council. On you rests a heavy responsibility: to maintain international peace and security in a troubled, complex and interconnected world. The expectations on you and the UN are high around the world. That is why a debate about your working methods is of interest to many.

The Security Council has adapted its working methods considerably over the years: from introducing Council missions to the field to informal interactive dialogues, and to open thematic debates.

The Secretariat has always been and will remain a vital partner of the Council. We provide detailed and, hopefully, actionable information on a wide range of issues on the Council’s agenda.

We translate the mandates of the Security Council into peacekeeping operations, special political missions, sanctions monitoring groups and bodies such as the joint UN/OPCW mission in Syria. 

The recent report of the High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations and the Secretary-General’s subsequent report provides recommendations on how such operations could be developed and improved. I want, in particular, to underline the proposals related to prevention and post-conflict measures, not least in the area of peacebuilding and development. Let us also recall that “peaceful societies” is a goal for the new Sustainable Agenda for 2030.

Since the Secretariat facilitates the day-to-day deliberations of the Council we must have a strong grasp of its working methods and practice.

While the Council, of course, decides on its own procedures, the Secretariat is ready to provide institutional memory and advice to the rotating Council Presidencies and to its other members. 

An important interface between the Council and the Secretariat remains the informal Working Group on Documentation and other procedural questions.

This Working Group has given more transparency to the Council’s work, through its crafting of Notes, subsequently issued by the President, documenting trends of relevance to the wider UN membership including to troop and police contributing countries.

Let me mention some decisions of the Council on its working methods and the actions that the Secretariat has taken to implement them.

The Council has indicated that members of the Council and the Secretariat can continue to use the “any other business” agenda item to raise issues of concern.  The Secretariat considers this to be a valuable practice. We have brought important matters to the Council’s attention more than 20 times in the past two years.

In addition, the Department of Political Affairs has instituted a monthly practice of briefing Council members on situations which could turn into threats to international peace and security. Early warning signals could and should play an even more important role in preventing situations from deteriorating or spiralling out of control.  

The Secretariat has also actively supported proposals to arrange briefings via secure video teleconferences from UN offices around the world. The number of such VTCs has increased from one VTC in 2009, to 41 in 2013 and to 101 in 2014.

Further, in response to calls from Council members and the wider membership, the Council website now offers a record of Council activities and information, for instance on reporting requirements and mandate renewals. And the website presents vital information on sanctioned individuals and entities in formats that are deemed useful to and by the Member States.

The Council has also encouraged the early appointment of Chairs of its subsidiary bodies. It is important that the new Chairs can “hit the ground running” with solid knowledge of the work of their Committees or Working Groups.

Here, the Secretariat assists the outgoing Chairs in preparing documentation for the incoming Chairs. Following the election of five new Security Council members last week that process will soon start again.

The Secretariat provides support to 16 Sanctions Committees and 71 Experts serving on 12 sanctions monitoring panels. Identifying experts continues to be a time-consuming process. In response to calls from Member States to ensure geographical diversity, we have expanded our roster of experts.

In addition, the Secretariat is improving cooperation on sanctions through the Inter-Agency Working Group on UN Sanctions, which brings together 24 UN entities.    

As the Council, in the spirit of Chapter VIII of the Charter, intensifies its cooperation with regional organizations, the Secretariat is working in parallel to support the Council in those endeavours, not least vis à vis the African Union.

There is always room for improving any organization’s working methods. The Secretariat looks forward to hearing the views of the other Principal Organs, Council members and the wider UN membership. 

We appreciate the transparency demonstrated by today’s initiative. The work of the Security Council affects all Member States and people in a world where peace, development, and human rights are increasingly interrelated.

Thank you.