UK outlines Security Council presidency priorities: Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza

Ambassador James Karayuki said Monday that the United Kingdom will run a "constructive, transparent presidency" of the UN Security Council in February, focused on three priority conflicts: Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza.

"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," Karayuki said, listing a calendar of meetings and ministerial chairings the UK plans to convene.

On Ukraine, the ambassador said the UK would "accelerate our support" and apply economic pressure on Russia while backing Ukrainian-led peace negotiations. He said the UK intends to call a meeting on Ukraine on February 24 to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion and that the minister for Europe, Mr. Doughty, is expected to chair that meeting.

The ambassador described Sudan as an "urgent priority," saying the UK will use its presidency and a mandated Security Council meeting on February 19 to press the parties for a ceasefire, to protect civilians and to address the high levels of violence against women and girls. He said the foreign secretary is expected to chair the Sudan meeting during a visit to New York.

On Gaza, Karayuki said the UK "strongly support[s] the 20 plan" referenced in the transcript and noted Security Council endorsement in "resolution 2803." He credited that plan with securing a ceasefire and the return of hostages, while warning that "there's much more to do." The ambassador urged sustained humanitarian access, the disarmament and decommissioning of Hamas and the establishment of a Palestinian committee for Gaza's administration (the transcript names the NCAG), and called for crossings (transcript: Rafa Crossing) to be fully opened to allow lifesaving supplies to enter at scale.

The UK also said it would highlight women's voices and the UN "women, peace and security" agenda at stakeouts ahead of a Syria session on February 13 and a Libya session on February 18. The ambassador listed additional month items including a counterterrorism briefing chaired by the minister for the UN and multilateralism (minister Elmore) on February 4, a planned renewal of the 1988 Taliban sanctions mandate, and mandated meetings on Yemen (February 12) and Manuska (February 23).

The ambassador closed by saying the UK would "amplify civil society voices, including those speaking out for human rights and freedoms across the world," and that the presidency will seek to combine humanitarian relief with political steps toward durable settlements.

The briefing moved to questions after the prepared remarks; reporters pressed the ambassador on related topics including UN finances, implementation of the Gaza plan and the UK's role in broader diplomatic efforts.

The UK presidency's schedule as presented at the briefing sets the topics the Security Council will address during February; the ambassador emphasized meetings already scheduled on Feb. 4, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 13, Feb. 18, Feb. 19, Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 and named ministers expected to chair several sessions.