On February 20, 2026, WFUNA organized the 68th instalment in its series of monthly Dialogues between the President of the UN 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 enable participation from a global audience and foster broader stakeholder engagement.
The Dialogue featured Amb. Mr. Archie Young of the United Kingdom’s Mission to the United Nations and was moderated by Mr. Bill Yotive of WFUNA.
Ambassador Young opened the session by outlining the Security Council’s programme of work for February, highlighting key country-specific situations and thematic priorities guiding the Council’s deliberations during the United Kingdom’s presidency. He provided insights into upcoming briefings, mandate renewals, and priority discussions, underscoring the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing complex and evolving security challenges.
The floor was then opened for questions from civil society representatives, who raised concerns on a range of pressing issues before the Council. Discussions touched on the protection of civilians, humanitarian access in conflict settings, accountability mechanisms, and the role of the Security Council in responding to emerging crises. Ambassador Young reflected on the Council’s responsibility to uphold international law, strengthen partnerships with regional organizations, and ensure that diverse voices — including those of civil society — inform its work.
In his remarks, he emphasized the value of transparency and inclusive engagement during the presidency, reaffirming the United Kingdom’s commitment to maintaining open channels of dialogue with civil society actors throughout its tenure on the Council.
If you were unable to attend, you can watch the full Dialogue on UN Web TV.
WFUNA will continue hosting monthly briefings with subsequent Presidents of the United Nations Security Council.
Stay tuned for more information on the next CSO Dialogue.
