Algeria will preside over the UN Security Council for January 2025, prioritizing issues of concern to Arab and African nations. This marks a year since Algeria's election as a non-permanent member of the council for a two-year term (2024–2025).
Key topics include the Middle East conflict, particularly the Palestinian question, and counterterrorism in Africa. Algeria plans a ministerial-level open debate on the Middle East, featuring UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Advocacy for Palestine
Algeria, under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has intensified efforts to support Palestine. In March 2024, a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza was adopted, overcoming previous US vetoes. Algeria also pushed to reintroduce the proposal for Palestine's full UN membership, advocating the two-state solution.
Regional Priorities
The presidency will focus on:
Syria: A session on political and humanitarian challenges.
Yemen: A meeting with UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and OCHA representatives.
Counterterrorism in Africa: A high-level meeting addressing the expansion of terrorist activities and their impact on African stability, led by Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.
How the Security Council Presidency Works
The presidency of the UN Security Council rotates monthly among its 15 member states, following the English alphabetical order of their names. Each presidency lasts for one calendar month, during which the presiding country organizes and chairs meetings, sets agendas, and facilitates discussions.
Algeria, as a non-permanent member, holds this role for January 2025 as part of its two-year term. Non-permanent members are elected for a temporary term and do not have veto power, unlike the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States). However, the presidency offers an opportunity to influence global priorities and spotlight pressing issues.
Algeria’s presidency underscores its commitment to amplifying the voices of Arab and African nations on the international stage.
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