Greece has assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of October. Aglaia Balta, Greece's Permanent Representative to the UN and the UNSC President for October, stated at a press conference held at the UN Headquarters that Greece is assuming the Council presidency for the second time during its current elected term, noting that October will feature a busy agenda. Balta stated that during its presidency, Greece will act in accordance with the UN Charter, international law, and the Security Council's rules of procedure and working methods, expressing that their primary goal is to ensure the Council operates "effectively and transparently."
Artificial intelligence and maritime security will also be on the agenda
Balta announced that Greece will host two major high-level meetings during its presidency. Stating that the first of these will concern children affected by armed conflict, Balta emphasized that the second important meeting will be held on October 29 under the title "New Technologies and the Maintenance of International Peace and Security," and announced that it will focus specifically on maritime security. Balta also reported that Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will chair the meeting on October 29.
The Permanent Representative to the UN stated that the meeting will evaluate how artificial intelligence and other new technologies can be used to strengthen maritime security, what opportunities they can provide in combating emerging threats, and how these technologies can be implemented within the framework of international law and the UN Charter. In the Q&A session, Balta stated that artificial intelligence should not be evaluated solely through the risks it poses, noting that the opportunities offered by new technologies should be utilized to improve maritime security. Balta also noted that Greece is considering working on a "Security Council Presidential Statement" focusing on a specific topic following this meeting.
Special session for children in armed conflict
It was announced that another of Greece's priority agenda items will be "children and armed conflict." Balta said that a special open debate will be held on October 26 to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the UN mechanism in this field. In her statement, Balta expressed that the meeting, which will be chaired by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, is planned to feature remarks from the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Vanessa Frazier, senior UNICEF representatives, African Union representatives, and non-governmental organizations.
Women, peace, and security agenda
Balta stated that the Security Council will also address the "women, peace, and security" agenda on October 27, noting that Greek Foreign Minister Gerapetritis will chair the meeting. Balta stated that despite numerous commitments made by the international community in this area, gaps in implementation persist, and expressed that one of the main goals of the meeting is to ensure a transition from rhetoric to concrete steps.
Issues in the Middle East, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Haiti, and many other regions will be addressed
It was stated that the Security Council's current crisis files will also be heavily addressed during Greece's presidency. According to the program announced by Balta, the Council will discuss developments in the Middle East, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Haiti, Libya, Lebanon, Colombia, Western Sahara, the Great Lakes region in Africa, and the Balkans. The Council will also address UN-African Union cooperation, and meetings will be held to strengthen relations between the African Union and the UNSC.
A meeting will be organized for Ukraine if requested
Answering a question at the press conference about whether a special meeting on Ukraine would be held in October, Balta stated that the situation remains urgent. The Greek Representative said that if a request is received from Council members, the issue will be added to the October agenda. In this section, Balta also expressed Greece's national position, stating that Athens, together with its European Union (EU) partners, advocates for respect for international law and the UN Charter regarding Ukraine.
"Security vacuum" warning for Lebanon after UNIFIL
Answering questions regarding the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Balta said that a security vacuum should not be allowed to form in the region following a potential withdrawal of UNIFIL. Stating that Council members are aware of this situation, Balta noted that discussions are ongoing regarding how to fill any vacuum that might emerge after UNIFIL, but that there is no specific model agreed upon yet. Balta also pointed to the importance of the Lebanese Armed Forces strengthening their presence throughout the country, stating that Greece supports the Lebanese authorities in this regard.
Strait of Hormuz and freedom of navigation
Developments in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz were also brought up at the press conference. Arguing that Greece is one of the leading maritime nations, Balta said that the full protection of freedom of navigation in international sea lanes, including the Strait of Hormuz, is of great importance to Athens. Regarding a question about a possible draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, which is said to have been prepared by the US and France, Balta said she had not yet seen an official draft and therefore could not comment on whether it would be put to a vote in October.
"(Palestine) We support a two-state solution"
In response to a question at the press conference about Greece's relations with Israel and its policy on Palestine, Balta said that Greece continues to support a two-state solution and that its relations with the Palestinians have not changed. Arguing that dialogue with Israel does not contradict the support given to the Palestinians, Balta stated that both sides must be spoken to in order to advance a solution.
"Bilateral issues between Turkey and Greece are not on the UNSC agenda"
Balta was also asked questions about Turkey-Greece relations, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statements on Cyprus, and issues related to maritime jurisdiction areas in the Eastern Mediterranean. Emphasizing that she was present not as Greece's national representative but as the President of the Security Council for October, Balta said that bilateral issues between Turkey and Greece are not on the Security Council's agenda. Furthermore, stating that Turkey and Greece are in good relations, Balta expressed that regarding Cyprus, the work within the framework of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's mission of good offices is continuing.
A critical month for the new UN Secretary-General
Explaining that one of the most important institutional agendas of October will be the process of determining the new UN Secretary-General, Balta said that informal "straw poll" votes for candidates will continue in the Security Council. Stating that time has been set aside for this process in the first and second half of the month, Balta expressed that consultations will be held with Council members regarding the use of color-coded ballots when necessary. In response to a question about the possibility that a recommendation decision on the new Secretary-General might not emerge by December 31, Balta stated that the process is moving forward and she does not believe such a point will be reached. Noting that she expects concrete progress in October, Balta said that if the process is not completed during Greece's presidency, she expects it to progress during the Latvian presidency, which will take over in November.
France held the rotating presidency of the UNSC for the month of September, and sessions were chaired by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot as well as various French officials.
News Source: 12punto
