Algeria takes over from the United States to preside over the United Nations Security Council for the month of January. Having been a non-permanent member of the Council for a year and a half, it now assumes the presidency for the fourth time in its history. On this occasion, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a communiqué its intention to amplify the voices of Arab and African countries.
Africa and the Middle East are the two main priorities for Algeria during its one-month presidency of the UN Security Council.
Alger will demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and involvement in a peaceful settlement process: “The time has come to grant the Palestinian people their legitimate rights to establish their independent state,” said Ahmed Attaf, the Algerian Foreign Minister.
Algeria also plans to organize a high-level meeting on counter-terrorism in Africa. The goal is to “discuss the expansion of terrorist activities in Africa and the threats they pose to the security and stability of African countries,” according to Amar Bendjama, Algeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations.
Additionally, Algeria will work to strengthen multilateralism, defend the rules and principles of international law, particularly the principle of peaceful conflict resolution. During its term, Algeria will be the voice for oppressed and colonized peoples to achieve their right to self-determination, reaffirmed the Algerian ambassador.
Meetings on the political process and the humanitarian situation in Syria, as well as another on Yemen, are scheduled for January. The presidency of the UN Security Council rotates monthly, in alphabetical order among member countries.
