Since 1993, the following Notes by the President and Presidential Statements related to the Council’s documentation and other procedural issues have been issued by the Council. Every month since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Security Council issued letters by the President of the Security Council concerning its working methods (please click here for a comprehensive list).
Note by the President of the Security Council |
1 December 2023 |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
21 August 2023 |
Consistent with paragraph 111 of the note by the President of the Security Council dated 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507), the Security Council reaffirms its commitment to making every effort to agree provisionally on the appointment of the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies for the following year no later than 1 October. The Council also agrees on a contingency measure in case the provisional agreement is not reached on time devolving the role of Chair onto the Presidency. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
21 August 2023 |
The Security Council reaffirms the importance of ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the Council in conducting its business and agrees on the procedure for the observance of minutes of silence to ensure that it is conducted in an orderly manner. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
22 December 2021 |
The Security Council commits to maintaining its state of readiness under all circumstances and to ensuring its continuous function in accordance with Article 28 of the Charter of the United Nations. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
12 July 2021 |
The members of the Security Council reaffirm their commitment to prioritizing multilingualism at all times |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
12 July 2021 |
The members of the Security Council recognize the role played by the President of the Council in facilitating and securing implementation of the note by the President of 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507) and subsequent notes and invite each presidency to consider preparing and broadly distributing written monthly commitments on working methods at its discretion. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
12 July 2021 | The members of the Security Council recognize that those who coordinate the monthly activities of the respective missions on the Council are critical to seeing the implementation of the note by the President of 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507) and all subsequent notes. | ||
Note by the President of the Security Council |
12 July 2021 | The Note amends paragraph 142 of the note by the President of 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507) and invites the Secretariat to familiarize all Council members with the work of the Security Council and its subsidiary bodies, including by keeping a register of available training opportunities. | ||
Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note specifies that the Security Council should adopt the annual report of the Council to the General Assembly no later than 30 May in time for its consideration by the General Assembly immediate thereafter. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note provides that any reference to a male person in the Council’s provisional rules of procedure is deemed not to be limited to a male person and also constitutes a reference to a female person, unless the context indicates otherwise. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note amends paragraph 64 of the note by the President of 30 August 2017 (S/2017/507) regarding the circulation of reports of the Secretary-General to Council members, relevant participants in Council meetings, including participants in meetings of troop- and police-contributing countries. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note encourages the President of the Security Council to hold informal briefings with the wider membership jointly with other Council members, with the participation of leads or co-leads of Council missions, and the timely announcement of the date of wrap-up sessions and their inclusion in the Council’s provisional monthly programme of work and the Journal of the United Nations. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note provides that newly elected members of the Council may be invited to observe informal consultations on Council outcome documents for a period of three months immediately preceding their term of membership and receive Council communications for a period of five months. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note provides that all activities not currently listed in the Security Council’s monthly provisional programme of work are to be listed in an unofficial addendum. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note stresses that the informal process for the selection of Chairs of subsidiary bodies should take into account the need for a shared responsibility and a fair distribution of work. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
27 December 2019 |
The Note stresses the need for Security Council to engage with the host country in the planning of Council missions, sending smaller groups of Council members on mission, inviting the Peacebuilding Commission as observers, conducting joint missions with regional organizations, and coordinating missions within the United Nations system. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
30 August 2017 |
The Note incorporates and further develops the notes by the President - S/2010/507, S/2012/402, S/2012/922, S/2012/937, S/2013/515, S/2013/630, S/2014/268, S/2014/393, S/2014/565, S/2014/739 and Corr.1, S/2014/922, S/2015/944, S/2016/170 and S/2016/619, by superseding those notes. It contains a concise and user-friendly list of the recent practices and newly agreed measures, to serve as guidance for the Council’s work. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
15 July 2016 |
The Note conveys the commitment of Council members to implementing measures concerning newly elected members, including the preparation of newly elected members, the selection of Chairs of subsidiary organs, and the preparation of Chairs of subsidiary organs. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
22 February 2016 |
The Note conveys the commitment of Council members to improving the work of its subsidiary organs and outlines the measures to improve the transparency of their work, the process of selecting Chairs, the preparation of Chairs as well as the interaction and coordination among the subsidiary organs and between the subsidiary organs and the Council as a whole. |
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Note by the President of the Security Council |
10 December 2015 |
The Security Council reiterates its willingness to take the necessary action to ensure the timely submission of its report to the General Assembly and decides that the period of coverage for all future reports shall be from 1 January to 31 December effective 2017. The report shall consist of an introduction approved by all members of the Council and containing an agreed concise summary prepared on behalf of the Council under the coordination of the President of the Council for the month of July and the remainder of the report shall be prepared by the Secretariat. |
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S/PRST/2015/19 |
30 October 2015 |
The Security Council intends to continue to hold an annual open debate on its working methods and affirms its commitment to continue to keep its working methods under consideration in its regular work. The Security Council underscores the importance of increased coordination, cooperation and interaction among the principal organs of the United Nations and takes note of the work undertaken by the Informal Working Group on Documentation and Other Procedural Questions to enhance the transparency of its activities. |
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S/2014/922 |
18 December 2014 |
The members of the Security Council recognized that the texts of the statements made at the meetings of the Council can be a useful additional tool for the preparation of the verbatim records of the Council and encouraged members and non-members of the Council to contact the Verbatim Reporting Service of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management to ensure the accuracy of the official records of the Council. |
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S/2014/739 |
15 Octobe 2014 |
The members of the Security Council agreed that the speaking order for meetings of the Security Council as a general practice is established by a draw and, in certain cases, by the use of a sign-up sheet. The President of the Security Council, in certain cases, may adjust the list of speakers and inscribe first the delegation(s) responsible for the drafting process or the Chairs of the subsidiary bodies of the Council or, for reasons of protocol, when high-level officials are representing Security Council members. |
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S/2014/565 |
4 August 2014 |
The members of the Security Council agreed to continue to enhance intra-Council dialogue, communication and exchange of information, especially in crisis or fast-evolving situations, so that the Council may respond more efficiently and better fulfil its responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. |
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S/2014/393 |
5 June 2014 |
The Note conveys practical measures Security Council members have agreed on in ensuring continuity in the work of the Council's subsidiary bodies, such as encouraging early appointment of Chairpersons of subsidiary bodies, providing to the incoming chairmanship an informal written briefing of the work done during the outgoing chairmanship and maintaining informal meetings with the incoming chairmanship. |
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S/2014/268 |
14 April 2014 |
The Note conveys the Security Council members’ commitment to wider participation of Council members in the drafting of Council products and their wider responsibility for drafting documents, including resolutions, presidential statements and press statements of the Council. The Security Council supports the informal arrangement whereby one or more Council members (as “penholder(s)”) initiate and chair the informal drafting process. Any member of the Security Council may be a penholder. |
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S/2013/630 |
28 October 2013 |
The members of the Security Council reaffirm their commitment to making full use of and improving existing consultation with troop- and police-contributing countries with a view to ensuring the full consideration of the views and concerns of troop- and police-contributing countries by the Council. The members of the Security Council agree that the measures contained in the Note contribute to the aim of enhancing interaction and consultation with troop- and police-contributing countries. |
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S/2013/515 |
28 August 2013 |
The Note conveys suggestions made by Member States on how to continue to improve dialogue with non-Council members and bodies, including by making more effective use, as appropriate, of public meetings, informal interactive dialogues and Arria-formula meetings and by maintaining regular communication with the Peacebuilding Commission. |
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S/2012/937 |
17 December 2012 |
Additional measures to the Note by the President (S/2010/507) in relation to the informal process with the participation of all Council members as regards appointing the Chairpersons of the subsidiary organs in a balanced, transparent, efficient and inclusive way, which facilitates an exchange of information related to the work of the subsidiary organs. |
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S/2012/922 |
12 December 2012 |
The members of the Security Council reaffirm their commitment to enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the work of the Council, including interaction and dialogue with other Member States, and to implementing, all previously agreed measures, in particular those contained in the Note by the President of the Security Council (S/2010/507). |
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S/2012/402 |
5 June 2012 |
The Note conveys the Security Council members’ commitment to enhance the efficiency of the Council’s work and agree on several efficiency enhancing working methods including better organization of conference resources, increasing interactively and a more efficient use of time in briefings, increasing the use of video teleconferencing for briefing the Council where appropriate. |
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S/2010/507 |
26 July 2010 |
Incorporates and further develops the Notes by the President – S/2006/507, S/2007/749 and S/2008/847, by superseding those notes. Contains a concise and user-friendly list of the recent practices and newly agreed measures, to serve as guidance for the Council’s work. |
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S/2008/847 |
31 December 2008 |
Consolidation and revision of the provisions concerning the summary statement of matters of which the Security Council is seized (seizure statement) |
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S/2007/749 |
19 December 2007 |
Additional measures to the Note by the President S/2006/507 in relation to the following: informal consultations of the whole, matters of which the Council is seized, and the Annual report to the General Assembly. |
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S/2006/507 |
19 July 2006 |
Measures to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the Council’s work, as well as interaction and dialogue with non-Council members. List of the recent practices and newly agreed measures, to serve as guidance for the Council’s work in relation to the following: |
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S/2005/841 |
29 December 2005 |
Extension of the mandate of the informal working group until 31 December 2006; reiterates task of working group to develop general recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions, and lists issues to be addressed within this framework, such as improving cooperation between sanctions committees; duration and lifting of sanctions; de-listing procedures; and secondary sanctions. |
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S/2005/251 |
18 April 2005 |
Formulation of the title of the agenda item for issues pertaining to Iraq. |
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S/2004/1014 |
23 December 2004 |
Extension of the mandate of the informal working group until 31 December 2005; reiterates task of working group to develop general recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions, and lists issues to be addressed within this framework, such as improving cooperation between sanctions committees; duration and lifting of sanctions; de-listing procedures; and secondary sanctions. |
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S/2004/939 |
2 December 2004 |
Attendance of the informal consultations of the whole, as well as both formal and informal meetings of the subsidiary bodies of the Council, by newly elected members during the month preceding their term. |
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S/2003/1185 |
18 December 2003 |
Extension of the mandate of the informal working group until 31 December 2004; reiterates task of working group to develop general recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions. |
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S/2002/1276 |
22 November 2002 |
Attendance of the informal consultations of the whole and the formal meetings of the subsidiary bodies of the Council by newly elected members during the month preceding their term. |
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S/2002/964 |
27 August 2002 |
Criteria for participation in private meetings of the Council and consultation meetings with troop-contributing countries under resolution 1353 (2001), annex II, sections A and B. |
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S/2002/591 |
29 May 2002 |
Seating arrangements for non-members of the Security Council invited to speak at its meetings. |
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S/2002/316 |
26 March 2002 |
Introduction of agenda items in public meetings by specifying the agenda item/issue for consideration. |
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S/2002/199 |
26 February 2002, reissued on 22 May 2002 |
Annual report to the General Assembly: change of period covered by the report; revision of format; presentation of the report to the General Assembly by the President of the Council. |
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S/2002/70 |
15 January 2002 |
Appointment of new Chairman of the informal working group; reiterates task of working group to develop general recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions. |
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S/2002/56 |
14 January 2002 |
Joint meetings of the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations and troop-contributing countries as an additional mechanism for strengthening cooperation with troop-contributing countries on specific peacekeeping operations. |
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S/2001/640 |
29 June 2001 |
Communication and dissemination by the President and Secretariat of Council decisions and statements to the press. Issuance of statements to the press made by the President as United Nations press releases. |
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S/PRST/2001/3 |
31 January 2001 |
Implementation of resolution 1327 (2000), S/PRST/1996/13 and S/PRST/1994/22. Establishment of a Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, to address both generic peacekeeping issues relevant to the responsibilities of the Council and technical aspects of individual peacekeeping operations. |
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S/2000/319 |
17 April 2000 |
Establishment of an informal working group of the Council to develop general recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of United Nations sanctions, including the working methods of sanctions committees and inter-committee coordination. |
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S/2000/274 |
31 March 2000 |
Arrangements for the distribution of statements in the Council Chamber. |
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S/2000/155 |
28 February 2000 |
Attendance of the informal consultations of the whole by newly elected members during the month preceding their term. |
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S/1999/1291 |
30 December 1999 |
Briefings by the Secretariat in Council meetings. Content and modalities of briefings by the President to non-members of the Council after informal consultations of the whole. |
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S/1999/165 |
17 February 1999 |
Full participation of all Council members and sufficient time to be allowed in the preparation of resolutions and presidential statements; contributions by groups of friends and similar arrangements welcomed. |
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S/1999/92 |
29 January 1999 |
List of practical measures to improve the work of sanctions committees. |
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S/1998/1016 |
30 October 1998 |
Annual report to the General Assembly to contain annual reports of sanctions committees. |
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S/1998/354 |
30 April 1998 |
Availability of provisional schedule of work to Member States. |
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S/1997/451 |
12 June 1997 |
Changes to the format and additions to the Annual report to the General Assembly. |
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S/1996/704 |
29 August 1996 |
Modifies S/1996/603 so that no item will be deleted from the list without the prior consent of the Member States concerned in accordance with the procedure set out. |
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S/1996/603 |
30 July 1996, reissued on 22 August 1996 |
As from 15 September 1996, matters which have not been considered in the preceding five years will be automatically deleted from the list unless a Member State notifies its objection to deletion before that date. |
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S/PRST/1996/13 |
28 March 1996 |
Enhanced procedures for meetings between troop-contributing countries, Council members and the Secretariat. Retains inclusion of meetings with troop-contributing countries in the monthly tentative forecast of work and the Journal and in the annual report. |
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S/1996/54 |
24 January 1996 |
Oral briefings by the Chairman of each sanctions committee to interested Member States after each meeting. |
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S/1995/438 |
31 May 1995 |
Continuation of practice of hearing comments by Member States and organizations concerned during closed meetings of sanctions committees. |
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S/1995/234 |
29 March 1995 |
List of improvements to make the procedures of sanctions committees more transparent. |
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S/PRST/1994/81 |
16 December 1994 |
Increased recourse to public meetings, in particular at an early stage in the Council’s consideration of a subject. |
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S/PRST/1994/62 |
4 November 1994 |
Procedures for meetings between troop-contributing countries, Council members and the Secretariat. Inclusion of expected schedule of meetings with troop-contributing countries in the Council’s monthly tentative forecast of work and time and venue of those meetings in the Journal. President to summarize views expressed at meetings with troop-contributing countries, in the course of informal consultations of the whole.
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S/PRST/1994/22 |
3 May 1994 |
Consideration of the recommendations in the Secretary-General’s report entitled “Improving the capacity of the United Nations for peacekeeping” (S/26450 and Add.1 and 2), including factors to be taken into account when considering new peacekeeping operations, and increased communications between the Council and troop-contributing countries. |
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S/1994/329 |
23 March 1994 |
Arrangements for the distribution of statements outside the Council Chamber. |
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S/1994/230 |
28 February 1994 |
Circulation in informal consultations of the whole of the Secretary-General’s statements to the press on matters of concern to the Council. |
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S/26812 |
29 November 1993 |
Use of descriptive formulations of agenda items to avoid having a number of separate items on the same subject. |
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S/26389 |
31 August 1993 |
Issuance of Council documents. |
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S/26176 |
27 July 1993 |
Circulation of tentative forecast of programme of work to Member States. |
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S/26015 |
30 June 1993 |
Inclusion in the Journal of provisional agenda for public meetings of the Council. |