On August 4, 2026, WFUNA organized a Civil Society Dialogue between the President of the United Nations Security Council and civil society organizations. The Dialogue was held in person at United Nations Headquarters in New York, broadcast live on UN Web TV, and promoted on social media under the hashtag #MeetUNSCPres to support broader participation from civil society representatives around the world.
The Dialogue featured H.E. Christina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations, and was moderated by Mr. Bill Yotive on behalf of WFUNA.
As part of WFUNA’s UNSC Transparency Initiative, the monthly CSO Dialogues provide civil society representatives with an opportunity to hear directly from the rotating President of the Security Council about the Council’s programme of work and the aims of their presidency. The Dialogues also offer a space for civil society to ask questions, seek clarification, raise issues for the Council’s attention, and provide constructive scrutiny of the Council’s work.
Opening the session, Mr. Yotive emphasized the indispensable role of civil society in building durable peace and strengthening the links between the Security Council and communities around the world. He also highlighted WFUNA’s work to strengthen the United Nations through the grassroots activism of its more than 100 national United Nations Associations.
During the Dialogue, Ambassador Lassen provided an overview of the Security Council’s programme of work for August and Denmark’s priorities during its presidency. These priorities included upholding international law, including international humanitarian law; advancing a more accountable, effective, and representative Security Council; strengthening peace operations and partnerships; addressing the effects of climate change on peace and security; and furthering the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Following the Ambassador’s remarks, the floor was opened for questions from civil society representatives. The Q&A segment began with situation-specific questions concerning Yemen, Sudan, African Union-led peace support operations, and Haiti. Representatives raised questions related to the protection of civilians, regional conflict, humanitarian needs, sustainable financing for peace operations, the participation of African civil society organizations in Council deliberations, and resource limitations affecting security efforts in Haiti.
The Dialogue then moved to thematic questions addressing accountability for states and entities that support terrorist organizations; humanitarian protection and climate-related security risks; the protection of civilians; climate change, food insecurity, displacement, and conflict; opportunities for civil society engagement with the Security Council; and the protection of journalists and media professionals.
Throughout the discussion, civil society representatives underscored the importance of accountability, inclusive participation, respect for international law, and sustained engagement between the Security Council and the communities affected by the issues on its agenda.
If you were unable to attend, you can watch the full Dialogue on UN Web TV.
Stay tuned for more information on the next CSO Dialogue.
