Security Council Monitor

Last month's Open Debate, on Children and Armed Conflict took place on 12th July 2011.

On 12 July 2011 the United Nations Security Council (SC) held an open debate on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC). The Council unanimously adopted Security Council Resolution 1998 (2011) declaring schools and hospitals off limits for armed groups and military activities. In addition, all parties that have attacked schools and hospitals are to be held accountable and placed on the Secretary-General's annual list of those who commit grave violations against children as a new trigger in CAAC listing/ “naming and shaming” mechanism.

Gender references were not prevalent in many of the statements; however, there were some notable gender dimensions to the Debate. During the Debate 18 delegates made references to targeting of girls and/or sexual violence in armed conflict. References were made to the latest Women, Peace and Security Resolution 1960 (2010) and its links to the CAAC Resolutions. References also included concerns of sexual violence and rape against children in armed conflict; special attention was given to girls' schools and targeted attacks on girls.

For a full analysis on the Debate please see here.

Last month's second Open Debate, on Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Impact of Climate Change took place on 20th July 2011.

On 20 July 2011 the United Nations (UN) Security Council (SC) held an open debate on the maintenance of international peace and security and the implications of climate change. For a full analysis on the Debate please see here.During the debate, some 65 delegates discussed different ways of approaching the issue. Several delegates disagreed with the Security Council addressing the topic of climate change, stating it is an encroachment on other UN mandates, such as the General Assembly, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Control (UNFCCC), and the Economic and Social Council. While other delegates supported the Security Council's focus on climate change, and what the President of the Republic of Nauru called “the greatest security threat of our time”.

A gender dimension was seldom seen in the statements given by the speakers. Iceland and Finland both made statements highlighting the role of women in creating change and also being more vulnerable to displacement as a result of climate change.

Please check our website for a full analysis of these debates, on our Security Council Monitor.

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Security Council Report Debate Watch by Leila Brollosy

Under Security Council Monitor, we have created a new sub-section "About Women, Peace and Security agenda in the Security Council" to provide some further background information.