Algerian Foreign Minister Outlines Priorities for UN Security Council Tenure
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, highlighted the priorities that Algeria will emphasize during its upcoming tenure in the United Nations Security Council, with a particular focus on issues related to the Arab world and the African continent.
During a consultative meeting on the sidelines of his working visit to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Attaf discussed Algeria’s imminent membership in the Security Council, expressing the country’s full commitment to contributing to collective efforts to maintain international peace and security.
Attaf underscored Algeria’s priorities in the Security Council, which include actively addressing and participating in resolving conflicts and crises in both the African and Arab regions. He emphasized the need to introduce fresh perspectives while fully acknowledging the challenging context of Algeria’s membership.
The Sahel region, according to Attaf, has become a focal point for armed conflicts and multidimensional crises, extending in an arc from the Red Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, and from Sudan to Western Sahara. In just a few years, this area has evolved into a global hub for transnational terrorism and organized crime, amidst increasing political instability resulting from unconstitutional changes in governments.
Additionally, Attaf highlighted the priority of finding a lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, stating, “In the Arab region, the ongoing tragedy in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially in the besieged Gaza Strip, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the Palestinian issue correctly, in accordance with the two-state solution agreed upon by the international community decades ago.”
The Foreign Minister affirmed that Algeria, in pursuit of these priorities, would vigorously advocate for addressing the root causes of conflicts and crises, giving more attention to the role of women in peace processes, addressing the plight of children in armed conflicts, and developing a new model for peace operations that is more suited to contemporary contexts. Algeria also aims to work closely with regional organizations, especially the African Union and the League of Arab States.
At the same time, Attaf acknowledged the deep geopolitical divisions among the permanent members of the Security Council, which have permeated all council deliberations, hindering its ability to act and respond. He considered this situation a renewed call for comprehensive reform to help the Security Council overcome its internal challenges and provide sufficient responses to current global challenges.
