Slovenia assumes presidency of the UN Security Council
New York, 1 September - Slovenia is assuming the presidency of the UN Security Council in September, the most eventful month for the organisation as most world leaders gather in New York for the General Assembly's general debate. September starting with a Sunday and Labour Day being celebrated in the US on Monday, Slovenia will truly assume the role on Tuesday.
New York, US
Samuel Žbogar, the Slovenian ambassador who represents Slovenia in the UN Security Council during the country's 2024-2025 membership of the UN body.
Photo: UN Photo
Slovenia will present the programme of work to the other 14 Security Council members on Tuesday, while the country's special representative to the Council Samuel Žbogar has already moved to the president's office.
The main event during Slovenia's one-month presidency will be a high-level open debate called the Leadership for Peace on 25 September during the general debate at the start of the General Assembly session.
Chaired by Prime Minister Robert Golob, the debate will discuss the relevance of the UN Security Council in the increasingly divided world.
Golob said Slovenia was taking on the role at the helm of the UN Security Council at a challenging time, when the body "seems to be less and less successful in resolving conflicts and its role is limited, although still indispensable".
The prime minister expects a frank exchange of opinions and reflection on the role of the UN Security Council.
"Its principled positions make Slovenia a visible, respected and well-known member of the Security Council. Its voice is not only heard, but often echoed," Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said.
She pledged for the country to continue to act in a "cohesive and unifying way, to strengthen the timeless values of the UN and to work for a more consistent adherence to the Charter and the Security Council's resolutions".
This month, the Security Council is expected to approve a resolution extending the mandate of the senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag or her successor.
Meanwhile, Minister Fajon will first chair a debate on Afghanistan, focusing on women's rights, and at the end of the month a closed-door session with the Arab League leaders.
There will also be a regular session on Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and likely an emergency session, possibly on the situation in the Middle East.
Slovenia will also try to defuse disagreements, at least at the personal level of ambassadors, through "sofa-talks" - informal meetings without an agenda, recently revived by China and resumed by Russia.