The first month of the year was marked by a high-level open debate on the Middle East, attended by Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, and a major upsurge in armed violence in the east of the DRC. Slovenia, along with Guyana, assumed the role of the Security Council’s informal focal point on hunger and conflict. In addition, Slovenia requested briefings on Ukraine, famine in Sudan and on the latest ballistic missile launch by the DPRK.

The first meeting of 2025 addressed the catastrophic situation in Gaza, focusing on the attacks against hospitals and healthcare facilities. Slovenia underlined the moral and legal imperative of respecting the special protection of hospitals, the wounded and sick, medical staff and their means of transport under international humanitarian law.

Slovenia welcomed the announcement of Gaza ceasefire and the hostage release deal, an important breakthrough for peace in the Middle East. A day after the ceasefire took effect, the Algerian Presidency organized a high-level open debate, in which Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated. “Slovenia urges all parties to honour their commitments to this fragile truce. The Council must now focus on ensuring that the ceasefire translates into a lasting peace based on trust, justice and reconciliation,” the Minister stressed. She called for leadership for the people, leadership for peace and leadership for multilateralism. For Slovenia, the two-state solution remains the only path to long-term stability in the region.

Following a severe escalation of the conflict in eastern DRC, in which a number of UN peacekeepers have lost their lives, the Security Council held an emergency session last weekend, and the second meeting followed just two days later. The intensified conflict fuels fears of a wider regional crisis and has forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Slovenia strongly condemned the attacks against MONUSCO personnel and called for the protection of civilians.Moreover, Deputy Permanent Representative (PR) Ondina Blokar Drobič called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and a diplomatic solution. She urged both Rwanda and the DRC to heed calls for peace.

The Security Council also met to discuss the role of UNRWA, as the two Knesset laws aimed at ending and curtailing the Agency’s lifesaving work were due to take effect by 30 January. Deputy PR Blokar Drobič reiterated that UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and essential for supporting the ceasefire agreement. Additionally, UNRWA has no alternative and was established by the UN General Assembly as part of the  international community’s effort to assist Palestinian refugees. The implementation of the legislation would have devastating consequences for millions of Palestinians.

Slovenia also assumed the role of the Security Council’s informal co-focal point on hunger and conflict. In this capacity, Slovenia aims to strengthen efforts to protect civilians and lead Council action on conflict-induced food insecurity and famine. Therefore, Slovenia has requested a meeting on famine in Sudan, where a man-made crisis is leaving millions of people hungry and pushing hundreds of thousands to the brink of starvation. “For this reason, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access must be guaranteed. This war must end and only diplomacy can lead to a lasting peace,” stressed Ambassador Samuel Žbogar.

As the third anniversary approaches, the war in Ukraine rages on. Slovenia and the US requested an urgent Council meeting to reflect on the prospects for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Ambassador Žbogar reiterated Slovenia’s support for Ukraine and for all meaningful efforts towards peace. “To achieve a lasting peace, upholding the UN Charter and holding Russia to account remain paramount,” he said.

At the request of Slovenia and others, the Council convened an urgent meeting on the DPRK’s launch of another ballistic missile. The Deputy PR condemned the launch, which is in direct violation of several UNSC resolutions and threatens international peace and security. “To maintain international peace and security, the denuclearisation of the DPRK is imperative,” she added. It is high time for the DPRK to resume dialogue.

At a quarterly meeting on Colombia, Deputy PR Blokar Drobič called for the full implementation of the 2016 Final Peace Agreement. She also welcomed the launch of Colombia’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

In the face of an immense security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Slovenia expressed deep concern over human rights violations and called for the continued deployment of the MSS mission. In the pursuit of stability, the transition to democratic institutions in Haiti is of the essence.

In January, the Security Council adopted a resolution renewing the Secretary-General’s reporting mandate on Houthi Red Sea attacks, a resolution updating the Libya sanctions regime and a resolution extending the mandate of the UNFICYP mission in Cyprus. The Council also adopted presidential statements on Lebanon, counter-terrorism in Africa and the Peacebuilding Architecture Review.

In conclusion, Slovenia is proud that Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, alongside Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the UN, has been appointed by the President of the UN General Assembly and the President of the UN Security Council to co-facilitate the intergovernmental consultations for the UN Peacebuilding architecture review in 2025.

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