The Security Council will hold two signature events in October – on children and armed conflict and on emerging technologies with an emphasis on maritime security – the representative of Greece, its President for the month of October, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.
“We feel particularly honoured to be serving the Council at this moment,” said Aglaia Balta (Greece), Council President for October, also observing that her country assumes the presidency for the second time under its current term in the “sequence of European presidencies”. Noting that October will be a “busy month” with an “ambitious programme”, she outlined a substantial number of mandated meetings and several events that will contribute to the broader work of the Council.
Greece’s key priorities include a briefing on children and armed Conflict – that will mark the thirtieth anniversary of its mandate this month – chaired by the country’s Foreign Minister on 26 October and a debate on emerging technologies with an emphasis on maritime security, on 29 October, chaired by Greece’s Prime Minister. Further, two mandated debates are planned on the Middle East and on the women, peace and security on 15 and 27 October respectively, she observed.
Highlighting the particular importance her country places on the Security Council-African Union partnership, she said that Greece will organize a joint seminar on 21 and 22 October, and an annual joint consultative meeting on 23 October to that end. She further noted that October is “the month to make progress or even agree on the new Secretary-General”, announcing several planned straw polls. “We will try to facilitate consensus in the Council while being available for the wider membership,” she added.
Responding to questions from correspondents, Ms. Balta noted that, on the question of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, Greece plans to build on important high-level discussions initiated by the previous presidency, France, by looking at how emerging technology instruments can be used to advance maritime security. “We are not one of those who only see risks of the development of AI and technology,” she noted, adding “but we do not want to be left behind.”
When asked about any specific action to advance the women, peace and security agenda in the context of the ongoing conflicts, she reiterated that Greece attaches particular importance to the topic and will, thus, organize a thematic signature event to “take stock and see how States can advance WPS [women, peace and security agenda] with concrete steps”. She added: “States make a lot of rhetorical commitments, but they need to advance the agenda.”
Several questions concerned the forthcoming drawdown of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the threat of a potential power vacuum in the region it may cause. Responding, Ms. Balta noted that the Council is aware that once UNIFIL leaves, “something needs to fill in the gap”. In her national capacity, she said that her Government is assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces to extend their presence throughout the territory, emphasizing: “Greece will work towards concrete results.”
Turning to Ukraine, she said that the situation in that country maintains an “element of urgency and unpredictability” and that as soon as Council members request a meeting, it will be scheduled. Once again highlighting the “sequence of European presidencies” in the Council, she stressed that the Ukraine war is a key topic for Europe. In her national capacity, she said that Greece with its partners “has taken a clear position” opposing the use of force.
On Palestine, responding to a question about the interaction between her country’s Prime Minister and that of Israel on the margins of the UN General Assembly, despite the fact that “Greek people support Palestine”, Ms. Balta said: “You have seen a photograph, you have not seen what other leaders the Prime Minister has hugged.” Also noting that “one cannot judge the country’s policy by a photograph”, she added: “To advance the cause of Palestine, you have to talk to both parties.”
Regarding steps the Council is contemplating to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and whether any draft resolution to that end would be put to a vote in October, Ms. Balta said that, currently, no such texts are officially available. “There are talks and hopefully they will bear fruit shortly,” she added, reiterating that Greece – as a leading maritime country – supports the restoration of freedom of navigation “to the fullest”.
Turning to the seminar planned between the Security Council and the African Union Political and Security Committee, she observed that the event – aimed at strengthening the partnership between the two bodies – will start with a dinner on 21 October, followed by seminar discussions the next day and concluding with a joint consultative meeting between the two bodies on 23 October in the Economic and Social Council.
Several questions touched upon Greece’s relationship with Türkiye in the context of the Greece-Cyprus underwater power cables project, also referencing Greece’s efforts towards promoting and defending the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, to which Türkiye is not a party. Ms. Batla said that Türkiye-Greece relations are not the subject of discussions in the Council. When further asked about the rights of Kurdish minorities in Syria, she said: “The rich composition of the Syrian population should be integrated and allow to live according to their beliefs and culture.”
Finally, when asked what would happen if the Council fails to deliver a recommendation to the General Assembly on the election of the new Secretary-General, she responded: “I am an optimist by nature.” Noting that “discussions are taking place; the process is moving”, she said that Greece would try to expedite it. Yet, it will only move on with the consent of all Member States, she elaborated, adding: “You will see some action during the month of October.”
* *** *
