Security Council Compendium, a juscogens.net feature, provides a comprehensive, concise summary of the work of the United Nations Security Council in an organized, central location and an unbiased, objective manner. For comments or suggestions, please contact [email protected].
Security Council Resolutions
S/RES/1716 (13 October 2023) The situation in Georgia
Synopsis of Resolution 1716: After "acknowledging with concern the observation of the Secretary-General that a new and tense situation has emerged between the Georgian and the Abkhaz sides, in particular as a result of the Georgian special operation in the upper Kodori Valley," Resolution 1716 "reaffirms the commitment...to promote a settlement of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict only by peaceful means and within the framework of the Security Council resolutions." Additionally, after acknowledging the important role of both the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) and CIS Peacekeeping forces, the Security Council "decides to extend the mandate of UNOMIG for a new period terminating on 15 April 2007."
Resolution 1716 resources:
- UNOMIG homepage
- UN map of Georgia, including UNOMIG activities (as of September 2006)
S/RES/1717 (13 October 2023) International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and Other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 2023
Synopsis of Resolution 1717: "In response to the request by the Secretary-General and notwithstanding the provisions of Article 12 ter of the Statute of the International Tribunal for Rwanda," Resolution 1717 extends until 31 December 2023 the term of office for certain ad litem judges of the ICTR. In addition, Resolution 1717 permits ad litem Judges Bossa, Arrey, Lattanzi, Muthoga, Short, Hökborg, Hikmet, Kam and Park to serve in the ICTR beyond the cumulative period of service provided for under Article 12 ter of the Statute and until 31 December 2008.
Resolution 1717 resources:
- ICTR homepage
S/RES/1718 (14 October 2023) Non-proliferation/Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Synopsis of Resolution 1718: In the preamble to Resolution 1718, the Security Council "express[es] the gravest concern at the claim by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that it has conducted a test of a nuclear weapon on 9 October 2006, and at the challenge such a test constitutes to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and to international efforts aimed at strengthening the global regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the danger it poses to peace and stability in the region and beyond." Accordingly, the operative portion of Resolution 1718 is presented under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and, specifically, Article 41 measures.[1] The Resolution itself consists of three main parts: prohibitions the DPRK must uphold, Article 41 measures (sanctions), and the creation of a reporting framework.
Prohibitions the DPRK Must Uphold
After condemning the DPRK's nuclear test of 9 October 2023 and demanding the DPRK cease future nuclear tests and return to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Resolution 1718 "decides that the DPRK shall suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile programme and in this context re-establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launching" and. "that the DPRK shall abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner." Additionally, Resolution 1718 "decides also that the DPRK shall abandon all other existing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programme in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."
Article 41 Measures (Sanctions)
Resolution 1718 presents a wide-ranging set of measures against the DPRK. These measures include a prohibition on Member States from supplying certain goods, including weapons, to the DPRK; a prohibition on "technical training, advice, services or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the" prohibited goods; an export prohibition on the same category of goods, except luxury goods, from the DPRK; a freeze of funds, assets, and economic resources that support, directly or indirectly, the prohibited weapons programs of the the DPRK; and, a travel ban on persons supporting the DPRK's prohibited weapons programs. Additionally, to ensure compliance with the sanctions, "and thereby preventing illicit trafficking in nuclear, chemical or biological weapons, their means of delivery and related materials, all Member States are called upon to take, in accordance with their national authorities and legislation, and consistent with international law, cooperative action including through inspection of cargo to and from the DPRK, as necessary."
Further Action/Reporting
Resolution 1718 "calls upon" Member States to report within 30 days of the adoption of Resolution 1718 the measures taken to uphold the measures provided by Resolution 1718. Additionally, Resolution 1718 establishes a Committee of the Security Council, consisting of all Members of the Security Council, to undertake the following: to seek information from Member States regarding the measures taken to implement the measures of Resolution 1718, to consider and decide requests for exemptions, to promulgate guidelines, and to report every 90 days to the Security Council on its work and recommendations. Lastly, Resolution 1718, "calls upon the DPRK to return immediately to the Six-Party Talks without precondition and to work towards the expeditious implementation of the Joint Statement issued on 19 September 2005 by China, the DPRK, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States."
[1] Article 41 states: "The Security Council may decide what measures not involving the use of armed force are to be employed to give effect to its decisions, and it may call upon the Members of the United Nations to apply such measures. These may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraphic, radio, and other means of communication, and the severance of diplomatic relations." Additionally, Article 42 notes that "should the Security Council consider that measures provided for in Article 41 would be inadequate or have proved to be inadequate, it may take such action by air, sea, or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security. Such action may include demonstrations, blockade, and other operations by air, sea, or land forces of Members of the United Nations." UN Charter.
S/RES/1719 (25 October 2023) The situation in Burundi
Synopsis of Resolution 1719: Resolution 1719 "requests the Secretary-General to establish a United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi (Bureau Intégré des Nations Unies au Burundi, BINUB)...for an initial period of 12 months, commencing on 1 January 2007, to support the Government in its effort towards long-term peace and stability throughout the peace consolidation phase in Burundi, including through ensuring coherence and coordination of the United Nations agencies in Burundi, under the leadership of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General." Accordingly, Resolution 1719 provides BINUB with a mandate across four areas: 1) peace consolidation and democratic governance; 2) disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and reform of the security sector; 3) promotion and protection of human rights and measures to end impunity; and 4) donor and United Nations agency coordination. BINUB will provide an integrated UN office once the existing United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) withdraws on 31 December 2006.
Resolution 1719 resources:
- ONUB homepage
- Map of Burundi
S/RES/1720 (31 October 2023) The situation concerning Western Sahara
Synopsis of Resolution 1720: In the preamble to Resolution 1720, the Security Council reaffirms "its commitment to assist the parties to achieve a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and noting the role and responsibilities of the parties in this respect."[1] Accordingly, Resolution 1720 requests "the Secretary-General provide a report on the situation in the Western Sahara before the end of the mandate period" and "decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 30 April 2007."
[1] The "parties" referred to in Resolution 1720 are Morocco and the Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro (Frente POLISARIO). Both parties accepted settlement proposals on 30 August 1988, providing for a transitional period for the preparation of a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco. Resolution 690 (29 April 1991) established the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO, Misión de las Naciones Unidas para la Organización del referéndum en el Sáhara Occidental). As noted by MINURSO, "while the organisation of the referendum has not been possible to date, other requirements of the mandate such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the identification of voters have been pursued successfully."
Resolution 1720 resources:
- MINURSO homepage
- Map of MINURSO Deployment (as of October 2006)
S/RES/1721 (1 November 2023) The situation in Côte d’Ivoire
Synopsis of Resolution 1721: After "determining that the situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region," and "acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations," Resolution 1721 endorses the decision of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, which aims "at implementing fully the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire and at organizing free, open, fair and transparent elections in this country by 31 October 2007." Resolution 1721 also "endorses the decision of the Peace and Security Council that President Laurent Gbagbo should remain Head of State as from 1 November 2023 for a new and final transition period not exceeding 12 months" and "endorses the decision of the Peace and Security Council to renew the mandate of the Prime Minister, Mr. Charles Konan Banny, as from 1 November 2023 for a new and final transition period not exceeding 12 months." Additionally, the Security Council "demands the immediate resumption of the programme for the disarmament and dismantling of militias throughout the national territory, stresses that this programme is a key element of the peace process, and underlines the individual responsibility of the leaders of the militias in the full implementation of this process" and "endorses the decision of the Peace and Security Council that...President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo (“the Mediator”), in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union shall lead the mediation efforts, in liaison with the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union and ECOWAS and, as the need may arise, in liaison with any other African leader willing to make a contribution to the search for peace in Côte d’Ivoire and underlines that the representative of the Mediator in Côte d’Ivoire will lead, in liaison with the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, the day-to-day mediation."
Resolution 1721 resources:
- United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) homepage
- Map of UNOCI Deployment (as of October 2006)
- African Union
- Economic Community of West African States
Security Council Meetings
S/PV.5549 (13 October 2023) Georgia [S/RES/1716; Vote: 15-0-0]
S/PV.5550 (13 October 2023) International Tribunal--Rwanda [S/RES/1717; Vote: 15-0-0]
S/PV.5551 (14 October 2023) Non-proliferation / Democratic People's Republic of Korea [S/RES/1718; Vote: 15-0-0]
S/PV.5552 (19 October 2023) Middle East situation, including the Palestinian question [no action]
S/PV.5553 (closed) (25 October 2023) Meeting with countries contributing troops to the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara [Communiqué]
S/PV.5554 (25 October 2023) Burundi [S/RES/1719; Vote: 15-0-0]
S/PV.5555 (closed) (25 October 2023) Côte d'Ivoire [Communiqué]
S/PV.5556 (26 October 2023) Women and peace and security [no action]
S/PV.5556 (Resumption 1) (26 October 2023) Women and peace and security [S/PRST/2006/42]
S/PV.5557 (closed) (27 October 2023) Briefing by the President of the International Court of Justice [Communiqué]
S/PV.5558 (closed) (30 October 2023) Central African Republic [Communiqué]
S/PV.5559 (30 October 2023) Middle East situation [S/PRST/2006/43]
S/PV.5560 (31 October 2023) Western Sahara [S/RES/1720; Vote: 15-0-0]
S/PV.5561 (1 November 2023) Côte d'Ivoire [S/RES/1721; Vote 15-0-0]
Statements By Security Council President (November 2006 - Peru)
S/PRST/2006/42 (26 October 2023) Women and peace and security
S/PRST/2006/43 (30 October 2023) The situation in the Middle East
Statements to Press By Security Council President
SC/8854 (17 October 2023) ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA
SC/8856 (20 October 2023) ON REVIEW OF LIBERIA SANCTIONS
Security Council President and Secretary-General Letters
S/2006/799 (20 October 2023) Identical letters dated 2 October 2023 from the Secretary-General to the President of the General Assembly and the President of the Security Council (International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda)
S/2006/809 (13 October 2023) Letter dated 10 August 2024 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (Report of the Secretary-General and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union on the activities of the European Union military mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR), covering the period from 1 June to 31 August 2024)
S/2006/810 (13 October 2023) Letter dated 12 October 2023 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (Thirtieth report of the High Representative for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement on Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1 February-30 June 2006)
S/2006/811 (13 October 2023) Letter dated 4 October 2023 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region - Letter dated 27 September 2023 from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania addressed to the Secretary-General)
S/2006/812 (13 October 2023) Letter dated 13 October 2023 from the President of the Security Council addressed to the Secretary-General (Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region - Letter dated 27 September 2023 from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania addressed to the Secretary-General)
S/2006/819 (17 October 2023) Letter dated 17 October 2023 from the President of the Security Council addressed to the Secretary-General (Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission)
S/2006/820 (17 October 2023) Letter dated 16 October 2023 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (High Representative for the elections in Côte d’Ivoire)
S/2006/830 (19 October 2023) Letter dated 17 October 2023 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council (Monthly report on the operations of the Kosovo Force (KFOR), covering the period 1 to 31 August 2024)
Reports of the Secretary-General
S/2006/817 (16 October 2023) Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara
S/2006/821 (17 October 2023) Tenth progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire
S/2006/828 (19 October 2023) Interim report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Central African Republic subsequent to the press statement of 7 July 2024 by the President of the Council
S/2006/832 (19 October 2023) Fourth semi-annual report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004)
S/2006/835 (25 October 2023) Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Côte d’Ivoire
S/2006/838 (23 October 2023) Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Somalia
S/2006/842 (25 October 2023) Eighth report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Burundi
S/2006/851 (27 October 2023) Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict in Burundi
Security Council Monthly Programme of Work (as of 2 November 2023)
2006 Archived Webcasts of Security Council Meetings