The topic of the session taken during March 2025 concerned the topic of security focusing on the adaptability of peace operations , reports on the current situation in the African and East Asian countries, specifically the Palestinian war and the situation in Afghanistan and in the DRC; and the Ukrainian war. The UNSC's presidency for this month is of Christina Markus Lassen, Denmark representative, who aims at ““simply to have an honest look” at peacekeeping, she said.”

The article presents the main topics of the discussions, with the relative findings, divided between briefings (closed or informal sessions where experts or officials provide updates on specific issues to the Council members without a formal debate or resolution), open debates (public sessions where Council members and invited non-members discuss issues openly, often leading to statements or resolutions but not binding decisions) and adoptions (formal approval of resolutions or decisions, typically through a vote by the Security Council members, making them legally binding).

Adoption of Resolution 2776

On 3 March 2025, through the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2776 (2025), the Security Council reaffirmed its intention to support the Federal Government of Somalia in its fight against Al-Shabaab while holding the group and its supporters accountable for their actions. Member states such as the UK, US, and France called for strengthened international cooperation in enforcing sanctions, including tighter financial oversight and more effective arms tracking mechanisms. As requested by the A3+ bloc, the resolution mandates the Secretary-General to conduct a technical review of the arms embargo's effectiveness and requests that this assessment be submitted by 1 November 2025. The outcome of that report will inform a broader Council review of the sanctions regime and its appropriateness in the context of Somalia's national security needs.

The US and Pakistan also stressed the importance of enhanced regional coordination, particularly about maritime security and the disruption of transnational supply lines. Although Russia disagreed on the geographic scope of the resolution, the majority view favored expanding engagement to reflect the interconnected nature of the threat. The resolution reflects the Council's recognition that protecting civilians requires not only defensive measures but also broader support for political stability, development, and the rule of law in Somalia.

Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Sudan

The Security Council met on 13 March 2025 to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, nearly two years into the civil conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and MSF Secretary-General Christopher Lockyear described the crisis as the world's worst, with over 30 million people—two-thirds of the population—requiring aid in 2025. Sixteen million of them are children, many already suffering from famine, disease, and the collapse of basic services. Lockyear detailed the weaponization of starvation, indiscriminate bombings, and the widespread use of sexual violence, noting that both SAF and RSF are targeting civilians and aid workers. Hospitals and markets have been bombed repeatedly, and bureaucratic and armed group obstructions have restricted humanitarian access. Only 1,100 aid trucks have reached Darfur in six months, far below survival needs.

While there was consensus on the severity of the crisis, political divisions shaped Council responses. The US, UK, France, and Slovenia strongly condemned the use of sexual violence and called for full cooperation with the ICC. Russia and China blamed the RSF and cautioned against foreign intervention that might compromise Sudan's sovereignty. The A3+ bloc and several others called for urgent ceasefires and international support to prevent state fragmentation. The UN urged the Council to protect civilians, ensure unrestricted aid delivery, and back efforts led by the Secretary-General's envoy and the Jeddah Declaration. It also emphasized the urgent need for emergency funding and a humanitarian compact to guarantee operational access.

Adoption of Resolution on UNAMA's Mandate

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met on the 17th of March, 2025 to adopt a resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), aimed to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis, prioritizing the protection of civilians and of human rights, particularly for women and children. The resolution was adopted unanimously with 15 votes in favor thus renewing the UNAMA mission until 17 March 2026 as the agency's efforts were recognized as necessary in humanitarian aid coordination and in the monitoring of human rights violations. 

The discussion also recognized that 28.8 million Afghans (two-thirds of the population) were in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The report emphasized the dire humanitarian situation with 20 million people facing food insecurity and 2 million children under the age of five suffering from acute malnutrition. It was promised that an increase of aid delivery will be prepared, despite the Taliban's restrictions. The resolution calls for expanded humanitarian corridors, ensuring medical supplies, food aid, and emergency shelter reach vulnerable populations as well. Thus, the UNSC also called on neighboring countries to help establish safe zones for the refugees. Furthermore, the healthcare facilities are struggling due to the limited supplies and the insufficient numbers of the medical personnel and basic services facilities collapsed, exacerbating the crisis for vulnerable populations, as many patients cannot be treated correctly and quickly. Thus, the UNSC urged the international community to provide financial aid to help stabilize the country's economy, since international funding was cut. 

The members were informed of Afghanistan's worsening conditions following the Taliban takeover, highlighting the restriction on accessing education, rising poverty, and deteriorating healthcare services, especially for women. Furthermore, the resolution called for increased monitoring of human rights abuses as it is essential to maintain awareness of the situation. It called for keeping particular attention on the increasing restrictions on women’s education and employment. Member states were encouraged to pressure the Taliban into upholding fundamental freedoms through diplomatic and economic measures. Additionally, the UNSC recommended the establishment of an independent mechanism to monitor compliance with international human rights norms. However, several member states expressed concern that the Taliban may not comply with the resolution and will continue violating international human rights standards. The UNSC stressed the importance of cooperation and put forward a call for talks with the Taliban to ensure aid access without legitimizing oppressive policies. Some member states, including the United States and the United Kingdom, highlighted concerns about Afghanistan becoming a safe place for extremist groups such as ISIS-K.

Briefing on the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan

The UNSC convened on March 25, 2025, to discuss the escalating crisis in Sudan, where the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to a devastating humanitarian situation. The meeting emphasized the conflict’s effects on civilians, highlighting the mass displacement of people, food shortages, and reports of war crimes, including ethnic-based violence in Darfur.

The reports confirmed that over 8 million people have been displaced, and nearly 25 million Sudanese require urgent humanitarian assistance. The collapse of the healthcare system increases the dire situation as hospitals are either destroyed or lack essential medical supplies to bring aid to the wounded. Moreover, the increasing food shortages have left entire communities on the brink of famine. Testimonies of targeted attacks on ethnic communities, including mass killings, sexual violence, and forced recruitment of child soldiers were heard and the UNSC condemned these acts, urging for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate peace negotiations and calling for increased humanitarian aid access. It supported sanctions against those responsible for war crimes and urged regional cooperation to prevent further escalation. The UN promised to expand relief efforts, calling for an emergency humanitarian fund. International organizations were urged to establish safe zones for displaced civilians and increase food and medical aid deliveries.

Briefing on the peacekeeping operations and human rights in the DRC

The briefing of March 27, 2025, reviewed MONUSCO's role in addressing the ongoing violence in the DRC, where over 6.9 million people remain displaced due to continued conflict. The UNSC discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis, including attacks on civilians, food and water shortages, and the collapse of healthcare services.

The reports on the security situation affirmed that widespread atrocities are committed, including sexual violence, child soldier recruitment, and massacres committed by armed groups. Attacks on displacement camps have left thousands homeless, further exacerbating the crisis. Moreover, food and water shortages as a consequence of the worsening of the conflict are affecting nearly 30% of the population. At present, there is food insecurity in the region and most of the water sources are contaminated, leading to outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases. On the other hand, the healthcare system collapsed, with only 40% of medical facilities operating. The situation is worsened by the fact that severe shortages of medicine and trained personnel resulted in millions of wounded and in need of care without adequate medical support.

The UNSC called for accountability for war crimes, a reinforced MONUSCO peacekeeping mandate, and additional humanitarian aid, urging for greater regional cooperation to prevent the conflict from spilling into neighboring countries, and promised to increase humanitarian assistance by expanding food aid programs and supporting healthcare recovery initiatives.

By Kaitlyn Llerena and Giorgia Rossini