US assumes presidency of UN Security Council for 1 month
In December, the UN Security Council members are expected to focus on the situation in the Middle East.
On December 2, TASS news agency reported that the United States has begun assuming the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for one month, taking over the position from the United Kingdom.
The US Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will hold a press conference at the UN headquarters on December 2 (local time), during which she will announce the Security Council's work program for next month.
Earlier, Russia's First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyansky, told a TASS correspondent that Russia could block the US-proposed Security Council agenda in December if the US side tries to promote its own interests.
In early November, Russia blocked the UK-proposed agenda because it included a session on Ukraine. Mr. Polyansky explained that the agenda must be built in accordance with the reporting cycle and mandate of the Security Council, and Ukraine was not among such issues.
Security Council members are expected to focus on the situation in the Middle East in December, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the Israel-Lebanon border. In total, the Security Council will hold about two dozen public meetings and closed-door consultations during the month.
The United Nations Security Council consists of 15 members, including five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each permanent member has the right of veto. This year's 10 non-permanent members are: Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Malta, Japan, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Korea and Switzerland. Under the United Nations Charter, the Security Council is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, and all UN member states are required to comply with its decisions.
The Presidency of the Security Council rotates among its members in English alphabetical order, once a month. In January 2025, Algeria - a non-permanent member - will assume the Presidency of the Security Council.
