In September, Slovenia assumed its first one-month rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in the 2024–2025 term. During the UNGA High-level Week Slovenia organized its signature event, a high-level open debate on Leadership for Peace, as well as three other high-level briefings, requested by other Council members. UN Secretary-General António Guterres briefed all four Council meetings. Prime Minister Dr Robert Golob chaired the debate on Leadership for Peace and the high-level meetings on Ukraine and Gaza. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon chaired the Council’s high-level meeting on Lebanon and the informal interactive dialogue on cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States during UNGA. She also chaired Council briefings on Afghanistan and Israeli settlements in the West Bank the week before.

The Security Council unanimously adopted two resolutions: on the renewal of resolution 1591 on the sanctions for Darfur, Sudan, and on the extension of the mandate for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti for one year. The Security Council issued two press statements on terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Mali. Slovenia also organized two joint press stakeouts – one on women, peace and security before the briefing on Afghanistan and the other on climate, peace and security before the open debate on UN peacekeeping operations.

With the adoption of the Presidential Statement on Leadership for Peace, initiated by Slovenia, Council members reaffirmed their commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security, and to international law, including the UN Charter. The presidential statement is a united call to reinvigorate the Council’s collective work for a better, more peaceful and more humane world.

High-level Week

This year’s General Debate of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) was accompanied by a strong engagement of the UN Security Council. The world body, led by Slovenia, met four times: at the high-level open debate on Leadership for Peace, and at three high-level briefings on Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon.

The high-level open debate on Leadership for Peace on 25 September was attended by more than 90 high representatives of UN member states. Prime Minister Golob stressed that peace is under threat globally and that the world needs leadership that will reverse this dangerous trend. “We must invest efforts in building an effective and relevant Security Council. A Council fit for today,” he added. The adoption of a presidential statement may seem like a small step, but as the Prime Minister underlined, “every marathon starts with the first step.”

Responding to the call of several Council members, Slovenia organized a high-level briefing on Ukraine, as the country fights the Russian aggressor in the largest conventional war in decades. Slovenia stressed that there should be no double standards when it comes to violations of the UN Charter. The debate was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, among others.

Slovenian Prime Minister Golob paid special tribute to Ukraine and its solidarity. Despite being at war, Ukraine helped Slovenia after the devastating floods in August 2023.

At the high-level briefing on Gaza, Prime Minister Golob stressed that the Security Council could no longer stand idle as the catastrophe continues to unfold, and called for an immediate start of consultations on a possible new humanitarian resolution on Palestine.

As developments in the Middle East continue to deteriorate, the Council held an urgent high-level meeting on Lebanon, chaired by Foreign Minister Fajon. The Minister called for restraint and de-escalation in the region. Protecting civilians must be a priority and a diplomatic solution offering long-term stability is the only way forward. “The implementation of resolution 1701 is urgent,” she stressed. Both Hezbollah and Israel must stop their attacks.

In addition to the formal meetings of the UN Security Council, Minister Fajon also chaired the informal dialogue on cooperation between the Security Council and the League of Arab States. The discussion focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East, efforts to organize a peace conference for a lasting peace and a two-state solution, and the indispensable role of UNRWA. “Peace dominates every discussion this week, but remains elusive on the ground. Our shared responsibility is to respect Security Council resolutions and do everything possible to achieve a political solution. No military solution can bring peace to the Middle East,” Minister Fajon stressed at a press stakeout after the meeting.

Foreign Minister on Afghanistan and the West Bank

On 18 September, Minister Fajon chaired a meeting on Afghanistan, focusing on the rights of women and girls, and their access to education. In Afghanistan, girls are only allowed to receive basic education up to the age of twelve. The Minister voiced her concerns and called on the Taliban to end discriminatory policies immediately. “Slovenia will continue to hear, listen to and support Afghan women; the international community must not leave them behind,” she underscored.

A day later, Minister Fajon chaired a meeting on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. During the debate, she reiterated the need to uphold commitments to the two-state solution, which remains the only path to lasting peace.

Other Council meetings

The first Council meeting under Slovenia’s presidency on 4 September dealt with various aspects of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. It covered the recovery of the bodies of six hostages on 31 August and the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza. Slovenia successfully combined two separate requests into one comprehensive meeting.

On 9 September, the Council held its first open debate on UN peacekeeping. More than 60 UN members took part. At the meeting, the Security Council discussed ways to improve peacekeeping operations. Slovenia’s Ambassador Samuel Žbogar stressed that peacekeeping must adapt to the changing nature of global conflicts. In order to be effective, mandates for operations should match the expectations of the host government and have defined strategic objectives.

Following a series of attacks on 17 and 18 September, in which Hezbollah electronic communication devices in Lebanon and Syria were detonated, the Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Lebanon. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib also participated in the debate. Slovenia strongly condemned the wave of explosions and expressed deep concern about the developments.

In September, the Security Council also held briefings on Syria, Sudan, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and held, among others, closed consultations on Myanmar. Under “Any other business”, the Council discussed Venezuela.

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