July 2026 Monthly Forecast

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• Overview

  In July, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will hold the presidency of the Security Council. Read more

• In Hindsight: A Second Year of Delays in the Allocation of Subsidiary Body Chairs

  In the past two years, Council members have taken an unusually long time to reach agreement on the allocation of subsidiary body chairs and vice-chairs. In 2025, the presidential note on the allocation was issued on 29 May, shortly before the General Assembly held elections for the next cohort of elected Council members. This year, disagreements have persisted even after the 3 June elections, making it the longest period with no subsidiary body chairs and vice-chairs since this decision was first recorded in a presidential note in 1979. This delay has placed significant strain on the work of subsidiary bodies. An added complication is that the lack of clarity on the available positions may delay the negotiations of the incoming members on the 2027-2028 subsidiary body chair positions. Read more

• Status Update since our June Forecast

  This is the Status Update since our June Forecast. Read more

• Women, Peace and Security

  In July, the Security Council will hold its annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). One of the signature events of the presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the open debate will be titled: “Honouring the promise of international law to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence”. The open debate will be chaired by the Prime Minister of the DRC, Judith Suminwa Tuluka. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten and one or more civil society representatives are the anticipated briefers. Read more

• Sudan

  In July, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan is expected to provide the semi-annual briefing to the Security Council on the ICC’s activities related to the situation in Darfur. Read more

• West Africa and the Sahel

  In July, the Security Council will hold an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on West Africa and the Sahel. The Special Representative and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, is expected to brief. Read more

• The Red Sea

  In July, the Security Council is expected to consider renewing the monthly reporting requirement on Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea, originally mandated by Security Council resolution 2722 of 10 January 2024. Resolution 2812 of 14 January most recently extended the reporting obligation until 15 July. Read more

• Colombia

  In July, the Security Council is expected to hold its quarterly meeting on Colombia. Special Representative and Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia Miroslav Jenča will brief on recent developments and the Secretary-General’s latest 90-day report on the mission (S/2026/528), which was circulated to Council members on 26 June and covers developments since 27 March. Read more

• Lebanon

  In July, Council members expect to receive a briefing in consultations on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of resolution 1701. Adopted in 2006, resolution 1701 called for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The Secretary-General’s report is due on 9 July. Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and a representative of the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) are the expected briefers. Read more

• Cyprus

  In July, Security Council members are expected to receive a briefing in consultations on the situation in Cyprus. Special Representative and Head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Khassim Diagne is expected to brief Council members on the Secretary-General’s forthcoming reports on UNFICYP and on his good offices mission in Cyprus. Read more

• Haiti

  In July, the Security Council is expected to hold its 90-day briefing on the situation in Haiti. Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) Carlos Ruiz Massieu is expected to brief on recent developments in the country and on the Secretary-General’s latest report on BINUH, which is due on 14 July. The Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Monica Juma, is also expected to brief on the latest UNODC report on transnational organised crime, including illicit arms trafficking and financial crimes, in Haiti and the region. Special Representative for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) Jack Christofides may also brief. Closed consultations are expected to follow. Read more

• Natural Resources

  In July, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will convene a high-level open debate on the theme “Natural resource governance: the foundation of peace, security and prosperity” under the “Maintenance of international peace and security” agenda item. DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi is expected to chair the meeting, which is one of the signature events of the DRC’s July presidency. Secretary-General Antόnio Guterres and a civil society representative are the anticipated briefers. Read more

• Syria

  In July, the Security Council is expected to hold its monthly meeting on political and humanitarian developments in Syria. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone and a representative from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are expected to brief. Read more

• Conflict Prevention and Peaceful Resolution of Disputes

  In July, the Security Council will convene an open debate on “Strengthening the mechanisms for peaceful settlement of disputes”. The meeting will take place a year after the Council’s high-level open debate on “Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes”, which Pakistan convened during its July 2025 presidency. Read more

• The Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

  In July, the Security Council will hold its quarterly open debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question” (MEPQ). The expected briefer is Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator at the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) Ramiz Alakbarov.  Read more

• Central African Republic

  In July, the Security Council is expected to vote to extend the 2745 sanctions regime, which expires at the end of the month, and renew the mandate of the Panel of Experts supporting the 2745 Sanctions Committee, which expires on 31 August. Read more