UN Security Council’s 2023 Activity Highlights: Resolutions, Failures, and Meetings

In 2023, the UN Security Council (UNSC) demonstrated a mix of successes and challenges in its decision-making processes, adopting 50 resolutions, issuing six presidential statements, and approving one amendment, according to the Highlights of Security Council Practice 2023. The Council also failed to adopt 10 draft resolutions and four sets of amendments during the year.

Notably, 70% of the resolutions were adopted unanimously, reflecting a slight increase from 2022. The majority of non-unanimous resolutions pertained to sanctions, peacekeeping operations, and special political missions. The contentious topics included the renewal of authorizations for intercepting vessels off the Libyan coast, establishment of the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, and the situation in the Middle East.

The report highlights the Council’s 290 meetings in 2023, with a shift towards including private meetings under the agenda items “The situation in the Middle East” and “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.” The UNSC faced challenges in adopting resolutions related to the cross-border mechanism for humanitarian aid in Syria, the situation in Mali, and threats to international peace and security. Over the decade from 2014 to 2023, the Council has adopted 589 resolutions, with 84% passed unanimously, and 42 vetoes cast in connection with 32 draft resolutions and amendments.