The Security Council's programme of work for April will feature several flagship initiatives, including high-level meetings on maritime security and the Middle East, as well as an effort to adopt a draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, the representative of Bahrain, Council President for the month, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.
The country's four priorities are: consolidating peace and stability; addressing traditional and emerging security threats; ensuring inclusion and participation; and advancing multilateralism. "You will see these four priorities integrated - in a cross-cutting manner - in the programme of work and beyond," said Jamal Fares Alrowaiei (Bahrain).
He said that his country is assuming the 15-member organ's presidency at a time when Bahrain, members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan have been under attack by Iran since 28 February. Tehran continues to breach Council resolution 2817 (2026), which was co-sponsored by 136 countries from the wider UN membership, he added.
Among the highlights, he noted, the Council will hold two signature events on 2 April, focusing on cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations - namely the Gulf Cooperation Council and the League of Arab States - both expected to be chaired by Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
On 27 April, the Council will hold a high-level open debate on maritime security under the agenda item "Maintenance of international peace and security", as well as the quarterly open debate on "The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question" on 28 April.
On country-specific issues, the Council will consider developments in the Middle East, including monthly meetings on Syria and Yemen. African issues on the programme include Libya, the Great Lakes region and South Sudan. On the Americas, the Council will address developments in Colombia and Haiti.
In addition, the Council will hold a briefing on UN cooperation with the European Union and receive an update on the implementation of resolution 2730 (2024) on the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel. It will also receive a briefing on Kosovo.
Two draft resolutions are expected to be adopted - one on Libya sanctions and the other on the mandate renewal for the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
In addition, a draft resolution is being prepared to address maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Responding to questions, he said this text aims to ensure safe navigation and advance a sustainable solution to a longstanding issue. Emphasizing that challenges in the Strait are not new, he recalled Council resolution 552 (1984), which addressed threats to maritime navigation in the region more than four decades ago. "We cannot accept that the situation remains as is," he said, warning against what he described as "economic terrorism" affecting both the region and the wider world.
He underscored that the draft resolution seeks to uphold fundamental principles of international law, particularly the obligation not to use international maritime corridors as a means of exerting pressure in conflicts. Such actions, he stressed, would constitute a violation of the rights of all States dependent on those routes.
The need to address these concerns extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz to other key maritime corridors globally, he added, expressing hope that the Council would adopt the text swiftly. He said, however, that the draft still requires further work, and efforts are under way to build consensus.
Providing updated figures, he said Bahrain had been targeted by 186 missiles and 419 drones from Iran, causing damage to civilian infrastructure, including desalination plants, oil facilities and buildings.
He added that similar attacks had affected other countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, where infrastructure and civilian sites had also sustained damage. While commending air defence forces for intercepting many of the projectiles, he stressed that such attacks continue to pose a serious threat and constitute violations of national sovereignty.
Addressing the situation in Lebanon, he cautioned against the country being drawn into a wider regional conflict, emphasizing the importance of supporting its Government's efforts to maintain stability, including through disarmament initiatives. He urged that Lebanon be spared further escalation, stressing that such developments would not serve its national interests. The Council will follow up on the situation, he assured.
For the full programme of work, please see: main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/programme-work .
