NEW YORK — Somalia will this month convene an open debate at the United Nations Security Council focusing on strengthening the international rule of law and its role in maintaining global peace and security, diplomats said.
The debate, held under the agenda item “Promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security,” will be the signature event of Somalia’s rotating presidency of the 15-member Council.
Senior officials are expected to brief the meeting, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and jurists linked to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to diplomats.
The Security Council has held thematic debates on the rule of law since 2003, examining how international law contributes to conflict resolution, the prevention of violence and the strengthening of state institutions in countries emerging from war.
Discussions during the debate are expected to focus on the importance of compliance with international law, accountability for violations, and the role of the ICJ in adjudicating disputes between states.
Somalia has said the meeting will provide an opportunity to highlight how respect for international law can help achieve sustainable peace and enhance multilateral cooperation at a time of growing global tensions.
Council members regularly stress the importance of the rule of law in safeguarding international peace and security. Several members support references to upholding international humanitarian law in Council outcomes, although such language has at times been the subject of negotiations, including calls for qualifications on its application.
Diplomats say persistent divisions within the Council could lead some members to use the open debate to address particularly contentious issues, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
