On November 2, 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. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the United Nations and President of the Security Council for November 2026, and was moderated by Mr. Bill Yotive on behalf of WFUNA.
Latvia was elected to the Security Council for the first time in its history with the support of 178 UN Member States and began its inaugural two-year term in January 2026. Its November presidency therefore represents an important milestone in Latvia’s first term on the Council.
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 Pavļuta-Deslandes provided an overview of the Security Council’s programme of work for November and Latvia’s priorities during its presidency. These priorities included upholding international 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 advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
Following the Ambassador’s remarks, the floor was opened for questions from civil society representatives. Situation-specific questions addressed the escalating humanitarian crisis in Taiz, Yemen, including restrictions on access to food, fuel, water, and medical supplies. Representatives also raised questions about civilian protection, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, and the meaningful participation of local civil society organizations in conflict prevention and peacebuilding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and other conflict-affected settings.
The Dialogue then moved to thematic questions concerning women’s leadership in security and defence institutions; sustainable economic recovery and responsible private investment in fragile states; the inclusion of grassroots perspectives in discussions on climate, peace, and security; survivor-informed policymaking related to trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence; and the governance of artificial intelligence-related cyber and proliferation risks.
Throughout the discussion, civil society representatives underscored the importance of accountability, civilian protection, gender-responsive leadership, respect for international humanitarian law, and meaningful engagement with communities directly affected by conflict and insecurity.
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.
