UK Leads UN Security Council, Focuses on Global Crises
At a news briefing marking the start of the presidency, the UK’s charge d’affaires to the UN, James Kariuki, said London intends to keep the Council’s work firmly aligned with its primary mandate. "I believe our aim for the month is to run a constructive, transparent presidency, tightly focused on the Security Council's core role in ensuring the maintenance of international peace and security," he said.
Kariuki outlined that the UK’s agenda will concentrate on three major conflicts viewed as posing serious risks to global stability across different regions. He said the presidency’s "priorities will be on three conflicts, which are among the most serious threats to international peace and security across three continents. They are Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza."
Addressing Ukraine, he announced that the Security Council will convene on Feb. 24 to commemorate the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with the meeting to be chaired by the UK’s Minister of State for Europe, Stephen Doughty.
On Sudan, Kariuki said a dedicated Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 and emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the fighting, noting that the UK is "working tirelessly, using every diplomatic tool at our (UK's) disposal to push the parties to agree a ceasefire to end this devastating war."
He also commented on developments related to Gaza, welcoming the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt but stressing that further steps are needed. "This is not enough. Rafah and all crossings must be fully opened to allow life-saving humanitarian supplies to enter at scale," he said.
Kariuki added that the UK plans to use upcoming Council discussions to encourage movement on peace efforts in Gaza and the wider region. "We will use the monthly meeting to push for progress on the implementation of (US) President (Donald) Trump's peace plan for Gaza, addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the deteriorating situation in the West Bank to deliver long-term peace for Israelis and Palestinians," he said.
The UK’s term at the helm of the Security Council will conclude at the end of February, after which the presidency will rotate to the United States in March.
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