At the half a year mark of Slovenia’s membership of the Security Council, in June under the Korean Presidency we discussed several pressing issues concerning the maintenance of international peace and security. Following the Ukraine Peace Summit in Bürgenstock, Slovenia and the United States brought the question of peace for Ukraine to the Security Council Chamber by requesting a briefing on the latest developments in Ukraine. In addition, the Council adopted two much-awaited resolutions on a three-phase ceasefire deal in Gaza and on the situation in El Fasher, Sudan. Slovenia supported both resolutions.

The UN Security Council backed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire plan, proposed by the President of the United States. Slovenia welcomed the comprehensive three-phase ceasefire deal and called on both parties, Hamas and Israel, to accept it and implement it fully and immediately.

Deputy Permanent Representative Ondina Blokar Drobič underlined Slovenia’s ongoing call for the respect of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. “Everyone has their part to play, and every step contributes to the peace process. Only two sovereign and equal states can make this peace happen. It is for that reason that Slovenia recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state on 4 June and we call on others to follow suit,” she stressed.

Addressing the alarming situation in El Fasher in Sudan, the Council adopted a resolution demanding the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) halt the siege of the Darfur city of El Fasher. The resolution also demands that all parties to the conflict ensure the protection of civilians in accordance with international law.

“Slovenia emphasizes the need for immediate, safe and unhindered cross-border and cross-line humanitarian access to El Fasher and all of Darfur,” echoed Ambassador Žbogar, reiterating Slovenia’s call on all parties to resume peace talks.

Turning to Ukraine, the Council discussed the humanitarian situation and the potential peace process. The latter was brought to the Security Council Chamber by Slovenia and the US, requesting a briefing following the Bürgenstock summit. Slovenia underscored that the only way to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace in Ukraine is by having both parties involved in a dialogue. Furthermore, Ambassador Žbogar stressed the need to uphold the values of the UN Charter and safeguard the rules-based international order with the UN Charter at its core.

Together with Belgium, Chile, Jordan and Senegal, Slovenia initiated a joint statement in support for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Following statements by ICC officials expressing their concern over certain public statements and threats against the Court, 94 ICC States Parties have declared their unwavering support for the ICC and declared their resolve to “stand united against impunity.” The large group of ICC States Parties vowed to defend the court as an independent and impartial judicial institution and to “preserve its integrity from any political interference and pressure against the court.”

Turning to a quarterly meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, Slovenia underlined that the plight of Afghan women is the starkest example of ongoing repression. Restrictive policies on human rights of women and girls must be rescinded. Additionally, Slovenia expressed strong support for the peace process in Afghanistan with the enhanced role of the UN, ensuring the participation of women.

With regard to non-proliferation, Ambassador Žbogar expressed concern over Iran’s noncompliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). Iran’s uranium enrichment far beyond the limits of the JCPoA raises questions about the peaceful nature of its nuclear programme. With a view to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, Slovenia called on Iran to reverse its course and fully cooperate with the nuclear watchdog – the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Finally, the Security Council discussed the human rights situation in the DPRK. At the briefing, Slovenia condemned long-standing, serious and systematic violations of human rights in the DPRK. Given the human rights situation is troubling and precarious, Ambassador Žbogar called on the DPRK “to cease its isolationist policy and allow access to UN and humanitarian actors to do their meaningful work.”

As the rotating coordinator of the group of elected members of the UN Security Council, Slovenia hosted the E10 lunch with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. We were honored to be able to host it on Slovenia’s Statehood Day on 25 June.

Slovenia also congratulated and extended best wishes to Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia on their election to the UN Security Council for the 2025–2026 term. We are looking forward to working and engaging with them in the Council.

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