Noting the significance of holding today's press conference on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the representative of Latvia - President of the Security Council for November - told correspondents that the month will feature a signature event on conflict resolution and technological change during her country's first and only presidency.
"So all eyes on us and we'll work hard", said Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes (Latvia), Council President for November, outlining her country's priorities. These include ensuring that the Council responds to the impact of conflict on civilians, promoting the participation of women in political and peace processes and addressing how emerging threats affect peace and security.
"These are not just positions that we hold, this is who we are and what we believe in", she stressed, noting that Latvia's signature event will be a meeting on 24 November on "conflict resolution in an era of rapid technological change". It will be chaired at the "highest political level" and build on previous presidencies, she emphasized.
Another high-level briefing will be held on 23 November, but "details will follow later". As for the Council's mandated schedule, she spotlighted meetings concerning International Court of Justice elections, Abyei, Libya, South Sudan, Syria, the question of Palestine and the Yemen sanctions committee. She added: "We can certainly imagine that, as every month, there will be a meeting on Ukraine."
She also said that November will see the Council vote on mandate renewals for the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), as well as on the sanctions regimes concerning Yemen and Al-Shabaab. The Council will also be briefed by the Chairs of counter-terrorism-related committees.
On working methods, she emphasized that Latvia prioritizes transparency, efficiency and accountability in the Council. Latvia is also committed to meaningful participation by civil-society briefers, as the organ "benefits greatly" from their perspective. There will also be an annual seminar, organized by Finland, that allows informal discussion on working methods between incoming and outgoing Council members.
Turning to the selection of the next Secretary-General, Latvia will continue to organize meetings and straw polls so that the Council's recommendation can be sent to the General Assembly. She expressed hope that "a consensus will emerge at some point - sooner than later". She then opened the floor for questions. "Nice ones please", she urged.
Most inquiries from journalists concerned the timing and methodology of selecting the next Secretary-General.
She pointed to a shared sense of urgency among Council members that "time is running out" to provide the next Secretary-General with a strong mandate and ensure a smooth transition. "We are already in November, so obviously it would be very welcome if the Council could agree on a candidate", she said. However, whether this happens in November is "not exactly in our hands", she observed.
Nevertheless, she emphasized that "we will certainly do everything in our power to keep the momentum". She added: "Without exposing any secrets, there certainly will be straw polls." The Council will decide on the timing and whether they will be colour-coded and - while a question regarding contingency plans prompted her to respond that attention should remain on selecting the next Secretary-General "before time runs out" - she pointed out that "we have had worse cases in the past". She added: "November is still OK."
As for candidates, she confirmed that both the Council and the Assembly have received a formal letter from Türkiye, making the candidature that recently appeared "official". Adding that "we cannot exclude more candidates appearing", she was also asked about the geographic and gender factors at play in selecting the next person to lead the United Nations.
In her national capacity, she pointed out that "it would be indeed the turn of GRULAC [Group of Latin America and Caribbean Countries] to propose a candidate, and we have been supportive of that." Yet, she pointed out that the last time this process occurred, it was the turn of the Eastern European Group - "the only group that hasn't had a Secretary-General". She also said: "We would very much welcome a Secretary-General as a 'she'."
She fielded questions on whether the Council plans to address Ukraine during November. In her national capacity, she said that this is an important topic for her country, "and we will continue our efforts throughout our term to keep it high on the [Council's] agenda until just and lasting peace is achieved".
Asked about her personal feelings upon hearing the representatives of the Russian Federation "spreading lies about Bucha, the cause of the war against Ukraine, the so-called 'Kyiv regime', the alleged 'threat' posed by the West and so on", she underscored, again in her national capacity: "We will certainly keep exposing facts and relying on verified information."
As for how Latvia plans to strengthen accountability for attacks on critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine, she said that this is a "matter of grave concern, especially with the winter coming". While previous winters have also witnessed such attacks, she pointed out that the situation is "significantly worse" in 2026. Further noting the deliberate targeting of grain infrastructure and civilian shipping in the Black Sea, she stressed: "The cumulative attack on food security across the globe is quite worrisome."
Also responding to several questions on Middle East issues, she noted that Council discussions are ongoing in view of the soon-to-expire mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). That mandate will terminate at the end of 2026, and she pointed out that the issue of a security vacuum emerging following this withdrawal "is on everybody's minds indeed".
Additionally, the Board of Peace will submit its semi-annual report on 17 November, as required by resolution 2803 (2025) , and the Council will consider this during a meeting on 30 November. Asked about the "very bad" situation in Taiz, she said that she "would not be surprised at all" if there is a request for an emergency meeting during the month.
Regarding Syria turning former Russian Federation bases into joint military centres with Moscow - and whether support for Syria by Latvia or the European Union will be affected - she said that Damascus is establishing relations with all global regions. Noting that Syria's relationship with the European Union has "significantly improved" - including in political dialogue and economic cooperation - she stated: "There are no specific conditions attached."
For the full programme of work, please see: main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/programme-work .
