SC Procedure

Our latest UPDATED backgrounder on appointing the next Secretary-General, which now includes commentary on the modalities for the GA interactive dialogues with each candidate as set out by the Assembly President in her letter of 4 March . . . LINK: scprocedure.org/chapter-7-sect…

The International Energy Agency is this morning suggesting people should work from home, avoid air travel and drive at lower speeds to help tackle impending oil shortages The International Energy Agency (IEA) has issued a list of “demand side measures” that governments, businesses and households could take to alleviate the impact of soaring oil prices and disruption to supplies It has also recommended that ministers could reduce road speed limits, reduce car access to designated zones in large cities and give vehicles with odd-numbered plates access on different weekdays to those with even-numbered plates. Fatih Birol, the IEA executive director, said: “The war in the Middle East is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. In the absence of a swift resolution, the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe.” The report also recommended that travellers “avoid air travel where alternative options exist” and switch from private cars to public transport

JUST IN: HOUTHIS OFFICIALLY JOIN THE IRAN WAR He said they’ll target U.S. ships in the Red Sea: “This war is the war of the entire Ummah. The U.S alongside Israel, attack Iran, aiming to leave the region under Israeli control.”

This afternoon (19 March), #UNSC members are expected to hold emergency closed consultations to discuss recent developments in the Gulf region. ◻ Requested by @BahrainMsnNY ◻ No briefer is expected → Background: bit.ly/3XFd7Jq

At #Bahrain’s request, the #UNSC will hold urgent closed consultations today at 4 pm (NY time) regarding the situation in the Middle East.

Job alert: @CrisisGroup is hiring a new UN Analyst! Come work with me (and @RichardGowan1) to shape diplomacy on conflict prevention and resolution at the UN. Details ⬇️ apply by 31 March! jobs.crisisgroup.org/o/analyst-un-a…

@UN_Spokesperson @antonioguterres @UN This is indeed sad news. Over time, Haysom held an astonishly broad range of UN portfolios, was respected by Member States and staff alike, and was very appreciated for his keen intellect, his unflagging determination, and his wry sense of humour.

Secretary-General @antonioguterres deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nicholas “Fink” Haysom – a principled lawyer, tireless peacemaker & steadfast champion of the values of the @UN. Full statement: un.org/sg/en/content/…

@sherwiebp This is indeed sad news. Over time, Haysom held an astonishly broad range of UN portfolios, was respected by Member States and staff alike, and was very appreciated for his keen intellect, his unflagging determination, and his wry sense of humour.

SABC News has reliably been informed that South African diplomat and veteran senior U.N. official Nicholas "Fink" Haysom has died. Haysom served as President Nelson Mandela's Chief Legal advisor from 1994-1999 and later served in various senior roles at the U.N. including his latest as the SGs Special Representative to South Sudan. He also served in the U.N. Mission in Iraq, as SRSG in Afghanistan and Somalia in a long and storied career. Haysom was 73. We are awaiting an official statement from the U.N. #sabcnews

@Compass_Report @mhdksafa These were both decisions of the US Govt, not the Security Council as a body. Under Rule 18, the Council presidency rotates each month in English alphabetical order. To deprive a member of its presidency would require adopting a PRST, which needs the full consensus of all 15.

So the pattern is clear: If you are actively bombing children, you get to chair the meeting on 'protecting' them. If you are accused of trafficking them, you get to chair the meeting on 'human rights.' The Security Council has lost all moral authority and is just a stage for the empire's pr⚫️pag🅰️nd⚠️.

Almost a week ago, US First Lady Melania Trump chaired a UN Security Council meeting on "children in conflict" while the US and Israel killing children in Lebanon, Gaza and Iran. Today, US envoy Tom Barrack, who is accused of raping children on Epstein Island, is chairing the UN Security Council on the human rights situation in the Middle East. This is the most hypocritical things we have seen in the history of the Security Council.

Israel's letter of the same date also seeks to justify combat operations taken in cooperation with US, but whereas US letter explicitly invokes Article 51, Israel speaks more generally of its "right and duty to defend itself and its citizens" without specific citation of Art.51.

Events moving quickly, so missed when this was published. US letter to UN Security Council, dated 10 March. Claims force against Iran is "self-defence" Art 51, and "ongoing" conflict since 2025. Lots to assess on claims. One thing clear - international law is back in the room.

@PatrickButchard Israel's letter of the same date also seeks to justify combat operations taken in cooperation with US, but whereas US letter explicitly invokes Article 51, Israel speaks more generally of its "right and duty to defend itself and its citizens" without specific citation of Art.51.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️ In 1847, during the Irish Potato Famine, Choctaws gathered what they could and sent a donation to help the people of Ireland. That act of generosity created a lasting friendship between the Choctaw and Irish people that continues today. From one community to another, it’s a reminder that kindness can travel far and endure for generations. 💚 Learn more about this connection at choctawnation.com/about/history/….

@FortiD @PatrickButchard Please forgive 😌 but a technicality: In lower lefthand corner, UN prints "release date" which in this case was "160326" or Monday. Docs can be found on ODS as of "release date" (esp. if you have an idea of symbol range) but aren't notified to subscribers until following workday.

@PatrickButchard To be fair, the UN only published this letter today!

On Monday morning (16 March), the #UNSC is expected to vote on a draft resolution extending the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (@UNAMAnews) for 3 months, until 17 June. ◻ Penholder: @Chinamission2un → Read more: bit.ly/4s4sBVL

@Andre_de_Hoogh @UNgts @pass_blue Your point relates accurately to actual wording of Art.27(3) which doesn't use the term "veto". But "veto" is variously defined as power to halt a course of action, which in #UNSC would mean blocking a draft which would otherwise be adopted. In our reply we said "is considered".

@SCProcedure @UNgts While this may be true, legally it’s possible to say that a draft resolution fails to be adopted because of an insufficient number of affirmative votes AND because of a veto (but I do admit that I commented to @pass_blue in this manner as well).

Der Resolutionsentwurf S/2026/159 zur Situation im Nahen Osten wurde aufgrund des Vetos von zwei ständigen Mitgliedern nicht verabschiedet. bit.ly/sicherheitsrat #UNSC

The United States filed its declaration of intervention in South Africa v. Israel (the Gaza genocide case). Key points: - Genocidal intent *may* co-exist with other military aims - Efforts to mitigate civilian harm or spare group members are evidence of non-genocidal intent

We found another sign of spring in Central Park! 💜 Crocuses are low-growing perennial plants that bloom during the late winter and early spring, with different shades of purple, white, and yellow. They're definitely a welcome sight as NYC thaws out and welcomes spring. 🌼 🐝

BAM! Colombia has announced a historic ban on all new oil and large-scale mining projects in its part of the Amazon Rainforest, protecting an area roughly the size of Sweden. 🌿 Experts say the move could help protect one of the planet’s most important ecosystems—often called the “lungs of the Earth.” 🌎🌳 Nature is amazing. Protect it. #ActOnClimate #nature

@pass_blue 2017-25 Gamba was SRSG for Children & Armed Conflict, a UN entity from which US is withdrawing support because "contrary to the interests of the United States". Also, in 2023 Gamba held a controversial meeting with Mariya Lvova-Belova, for whom ICC had issued an arrest warrant.

News: Virginia Gamba, ex-UN official, is running for UN secretary-general, 2027-2031 term. Joins 4 other declared candidates: Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica, Macky Sall of Senegal (but backed by Burundi) & Rafael Grossi of Argentina