About the Initiative
The World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) regularly facilitates United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Election Debates and Briefings for Member States running for a non-permanent seat on the UNSC, as well as UNSC Exit Briefings for departing members, in order to strengthen transparency around all UNSC processes.
Following the success of these UNSC Election Debates, WFUNA began facilitating monthly Civil Society Dialogues with the rotating Presidents of the UNSC. These monthly dialogues allow for the Presidents of the UNSC to brief civil society organizations on their monthly Programme of Work, key priorities and challenges ahead, as well as interact with CSOs on shared areas of interest.
- Engaging election process
- Improved transparency around all UNSC processes
- Increased civil society access to UNSC
UN Security Council Election Debates and Briefings
In May 2016, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) convened the first-ever United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Election Debates for Member States competing within their regional blocks for a non-Permanent seat on the Council. These debates are designed to open up the UNSC to the larger UN Community, while providing a platform by which elected Member States are then held accountable to stated priorities during their terms on the Council. The UNSC Election Debates and Briefings are webcast and promoted on social media to allow for participation from a global audience, build wide stakeholder engagement, and further operational transparency on UNSC processes. To date, 6 Election Debates have been held with approximately 120 permanent missions and more than 500 UN accredited civil society organizations in attendance.
UN Security Council Exit Briefings
In February of 2019, the first-ever UNSC Exit Briefing was held to provide a space for Ambassadors to frankly share their experiences as elected members of the Council, reflect upon successes, as well as challenges, and provide recommendations for the incoming “Elected 10”, as well as the whole of the UN Security Council, going forward. The Exit Briefings, held early in each calendar year, typically last two hours, featuring outgoing members of the UN Security Council, as well as other member states and civil society organizations. The Briefings are live streamed on UN WebTV, as well as on Twitter through the hashtag #UNSCExit, providing civil society organizations not based in New York an opportunity to engage online and submit questions. To date, 6 Exit Briefings have been held with approximately 100 permanent missions and more than 100 UN accredited civil society organizations in attendance.
Civil Society Dialogues
In January 2017, WFUNA began hosting monthly dialogues for Presidents of the UN Security Council and Civil Society to allow for greater access to the work of the Security Council and to promote openness and transparency within the UN system. The Civil Society Dialogues aim to provide greater access to the work of the Security Council and promote openness and transparency within the UN system. All UN-accredited Civil Society Organizations are invited to attend and take the floor to inquire about specific issues related to the UNSC and the monthly Programme of Work. CSOs in New York and worldwide are invited to watch the livestream on UN WebTV and participate via Twitter, to further connect the work of the UNSC with wider networks and the global community. To date, WFUNA has hosted 58 Civil Society Dialogues with Presidents of the UNSC.
