Press Conference by Security Council President on Work Programme for October

The Security Council will hold two signature events in October — on children and armed conflict and on emerging technologies with an emphasis on maritime security — the representative of Greece, its President for the month of October, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.

“We feel particularly honoured to be serving the Council at this moment,” said Aglaia Balta (Greece), Council President for October, also observing that her country assumes the presidency for the second time under its current term in the “sequence of European presidencies”.  Noting that October will be a “busy month” with an “ambitious programme”, she outlined a substantial number of mandated meetings and several events that will contribute to the broader work of the Council.

Greece’s key priorities include a briefing on children and armed Conflict — that will mark the thirtieth anniversary of its mandate this month — chaired by the country’s Foreign Minister on 26 October and a debate on emerging technologies with an emphasis on maritime security, on 29 October, chaired by Greece’s Prime Minister.  Further, two mandated debates are planned on the Middle East and on the women, peace and security on 15 and 27 October respectively, she observed.

Highlighting the particular importance her country places on the Security Council-African Union partnership, she said that Greece will organize a joint seminar on 21 and 22 October, and an annual joint consultative meeting on 23 October to that end.  She further noted that October is “the month to make progress or even agree on the new Secretary-General”, announcing several planned straw polls.  “We will try to facilitate consensus in the Council while being available for the wider membership,” she added.