Civil Society Dialogue with Ambassador Jerry Matthews Matjila of South Africa, President of the UN Security Council for December 2020
On December 2nd, 2020, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) organized the thirty-first installment in a series of monthly dialogues between the President of the UN Security Council and Civil Society organizations. To uphold transparency and accountability at the UNSC amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the CSO Dialogue was held online via Zoom Meetings in lieu of its standard meeting location at the United Nations Headquarters.
The dialogue featured H.E. Mr. Jerry Matthews Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN, the President of the Security Council for the month of November. WFUNA’s Peace and Security Officer, Mr. Pablo Angulo, moderated the briefing, which was virtually attended by approximately 41 civil society organizations that RSVPed from different parts of the world.
The event was broadcast live on UN Web TV and also promoted on social media with the hashtag #MeetUNSCPres to allow for a participation from a global audience and wider stakeholder engagement.
Ambassador Matjila shared the Council’s programme of work for the month of December. He spoke about the meetings scheduled for the month in an effort to build on the Security Council’s agenda on issues regarding peace and security on the African continent; strengthening cooperation between the UN and regional and subregional organizations; as well as cooperation between the Council and International Court of Justice (ICJ). Ambassador Matjila also discussed MONUSCO and prospects for consolidating peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); Sudan; and Disarmament and Arms Control.
The floor was then opened for questions from representatives of civil society organizations on country specific questions relating to Ethiopia, Sudan, Cameroon, Mozambique, Syria, Venezuela, and the DRC, as well as topics such as Children in Armed Conflict; Women, Peace and Security; and Sanctions.
In case you missed it, you can watch the full debate below.
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!
