Press Conference by Security Council President on Programme of Work for June

The Security Council would consider, for the first time, a comprehensive approach to mine action, among a range of priority themes expected to dominate its work this month, Sacha Sergio Llorentty Solíz (Bolivia), its President for June, said at a Headquarters press conference today.

Releasing the Council’s June work programme, he said that meeting, to be held on 13 June, would also consider the mitigation of threats arising from explosive hazards.  A week earlier, on 6 June, President Evo Morales of Bolivia would preside as the Council heard a briefing on preventive diplomacy and transboundary waters.

Turning to Middle East issues, he said that on 20 June, the Council would hear a briefing on the question of Palestine, noting that the fiftieth anniversary of the 1967 war would be observed during that month.  On 8 June, the Council would hold a briefing on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

He said the African Union would be the focus of a briefing on 15 June on cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations.  On 19 June, the Council would hold a briefing on peacebuilding and sustaining peace.  Other briefings throughout the month would focus on peacekeeping missions, including the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), on 2 June.  It would also hold meetings on terminating peacekeeping mandates.

The new President announced that the Council would conduct a visiting mission to Haiti from 22 to 24 June, to take stock of the withdrawal of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).  The visit would see Council members meeting with Government and civil society representatives, he said, adding that it would pave the way for a mission to replace MINUSTAH in October 2017.

To round up the month, the Council would hold an open debate on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction on 28 June, he said, while noting, however, that given the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Syria, the June schedule allowed for emergency meetings.

Asked about the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the President said the Council would keep the media informed as developments occurred.

Concerning details of the briefing on transboundary waters, he emphasized that the situation must be addressed in order to avoid conflict and ensure the exchange of best practices around the world.

In response to a question about the situation in Yemen, he said the Council had assessed that issue with senior United Nations officials and determined that it constituted a humanitarian crisis.  Although there was no specific date for a meeting, Yemen was a priority theme, he stressed.

Responding to a question on Western Sahara, he said the Council would share information as it became available.

Regarding a possible visiting mission to Gaza, the President cited concerns about the lack of water and other current conditions, noting that the situation was among the longest-standing issues before the United Nations.  “Let’s hope that the current efforts for dialogue could bring us to a resolution of this particular issue,” he said.  “No one has so far over the last five months suggested a visit to Gaza.  It’s something the Council had not considered yet.”

To a question about freedom of the press, he said it was a fundamental pillar of democracy, and entities like the Human Rights Council, to address such concerns.

For the Council’s full programme of work, please see www.un.org/en/sc/programme.