The United Nations Security Council made significant strides in 2023, as it adopted 50 resolutions but encountered roadblocks with 10 draft resolutions. According to the recently published “Highlights of Security Council Practice 2023,” the council also approved one amendment, six presidential statements, 18 notes by the council president, and 22 letters by the president.
In contrast to the previous year, the council saw a rise in its resolutions, with 35 out of 50 being adopted unanimously, accounting for 70%, compared to 66.7% in 2022. Notably, the council failed to adopt four sets of amendments in 2023, while in 2022, it grappled with seven draft resolutions.
Among the resolutions that faced challenges, five were linked to sanctions, four to peacekeeping operations, and one to a special political mission. This also encompassed issues such as the renewal of authorizations to intercept vessels suspected of migrant smuggling and human trafficking off the Libyan coast, the establishment of the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, and the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question and the situation in Afghanistan.
The council met a total of 290 times in 2023, conducting 271 public meetings and a handful of private gatherings. Notably, private meetings were held under the agenda items “the situation in the Middle East” and “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,” marking the first occurrence in a decade.
Moreover, 24 high-level meetings took place, with active ministerial-level or higher representation from two or more council members. These meetings covered a wide array of thematic and country-specific topics, reflecting the council’s commitment to tackling global issues at various levels.
Looking at the broader context, from 2014 to 2023, the council has collectively adopted 589 resolutions, with an impressive 84% being accepted unanimously. However, the period also experienced 42 vetoes cast in connection with 32 draft resolutions and amendments, shedding light on the complexities and tensions within the council’s decision-making process.
The UN Security Council’s experiences in 2023, as revealed in the report, underscore both its successes and challenges in addressing crucial international matters, highlighting the need for continued global cooperation and diplomatic efforts to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes.
