United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2615-2621 United Nations Security Council Resolutions are available at: <https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/resolutions-0>

Resolution 2615 (December 22, 2021) –

The Security Council expressed “deep concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan” and stressed the important role that the United Nations will continue to play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Council determined that the situation in Afghanistan continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security. The Council did however, express “appreciation for the strengthened efforts of the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan since 15 August 2021.”

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council decided “that humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan are not a violation of paragraph 1 (a) of resolution 2255 (2015).”

The Council, also acting under Chapter VII, requested “the Emergency Relief Coordinator to brief the Security Council every six months from the adoption of this resolution based on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan” and called” on all parties in all circumstances to respect the human rights of all individuals, including women, children, and persons belonging to minorities, and comply with their applicable obligations under international humanitarian law, including those related to the protection of civilians.”

The Council decided “to remain actively seized of the matter.”

[http://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2615(2021)]

Resolution 2616 (December 22, 2021) –

The Security Council expressed grave concern regarding the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation, and misuse of small arms and light weapons in many regions of the world, because of the continuous threat they pose to international peace and security and the significant loss of life they cause.

The Council recognized “that arms embargoes are, inter alia, aimed at preventing illicit flows of arms, including small arms and light weapons, and related material to conflict situations that the Security Council has determined to be a threat to international peace and security, and therefore contribute to respect for international humanitarian law, the safety of and preventing the endangerment of civilians.”

The Council acknowledged the “important contribution of Council-mandated arms embargoes in countering the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons,” and noted “the need to improve information sharing on possible arms embargo violations between groups of experts, peacekeeping missions within their mandates and other relevant United Nations entities.”

The Council urged “the full and effective implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, and recogniz[ed] its important contribution to international efforts on this matter.”

[http://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2616(2021)]

Resolution 2617 (December 30, 2021) –

The Security Council reafrrimed “that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations,” but recognized “that terrorism will not be defeated by military force, law enforcement measures, and intelligence operations alone.”

Rather, the Council recognized that “a comprehensive approach to defeating terrorism requires national, regional, subregional and multilateral action, and reaffirming the importance of addressing through a holistic approach the underlying conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.”

The Council stressed “that Member States have the primary responsibility in countering terrorist acts and violent extremism conducive to terrorism,” while “reaffirming its call upon all States to become party to the international counterterrorism conventions and protocols as soon as possible.”

The Council, “underscoring the central role of the United Nations in the global fight against Terrorism,” stressed the importance of strong coordination and cooperation between [Counterterrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED)] and the [United Nations Office of Counterterrorism (UNOCT)], as they work within their mandates and in their distinct roles to ensure effective United Nations engagement with Member States to improve the implementation of the [United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy (GCTS)] in a balanced manner.”

The Council welcomed CTED's cooperation and encouraged “CTED to assess, as appropriate, Member States’ efforts to tackle all forms of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief.”

[http://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2617(2021)]

Resolution 2618 (January 26, 2022) –

The Security Council reaffirmed that the primary role of the United Nations in Cyprus is to bring “the conflict and division of the island to a comprehensive and durable settlement.” However, the Council underscored “that the responsibility for finding a solution lies first and foremost with the Cypriots themselves.”

The Council recalled “the critical importance of full adherence to applicable international law in the handling of asylum seekers and refugees,” and expressed “concern at the continued deterioration of the law and order situation.”

The Council urged “the sides to step up their efforts to promote intercommunal contacts, reconciliation and the active engagement of civil society, in particular women and youth, and [recognized] that regular, effective contact and communication between the sides enhances the prospects for settlement.”

The Council expressed appreciation to member states that contributed personnel to the crisis and noted the continued voluntary contributions of funding by the Government of Cyprus and the Government of Greece.

The Council expressed deep regret concerning “the lack of progress on an effective mechanism for direct military contacts between the sides and the relevant involved parties, and urge[d] flexibility and engagement by the sides and the relevant involved parties.”

[http://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2618(2022)]

Resolution 2619 (January 31, 2022) –

The Security Council decided “to extend until 30 April 2022 the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), as an integrated special political mission to carry out its mandate, as set out in resolution 2542 (2020) and paragraph 16 of resolution 2570 (2021).”

[http://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2619(2022)]

Resolution 2620 (February 15, 2022) –

The Security Council noted with concern the slow pace at which the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) had been implemented and “encourag[ed] the signatories of the peace agreement to accelerate the process of full implementation.”

The Council “urg[ed] those who ha[d] yet to join the peace process with the Government of

Sudan to do so immediately, constructively and without pre-conditions in order to conclude swiftly negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement.” The Council also called upon “international actors to continue encouraging non-participatory parties in this regard.”

The Council “welcom[ed] the establishment of the permanent ceasefire committee and the jointhigh military committee for security arrangements” and stress[ed] the need for the Government of Sudan to ensure accountability for human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law.”

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council request[ed] the Government of Sudan to submit requests for the Committee's consideration and, where appropriate, prior approval for the movement of military equipment and supplies into the Darfur region, particularly in the context of the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement.”

[http://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2620(2022)]

Resolution 2621 (February 22, 2022) –

The Security Council both “appreciat[ed] the commitment of the Government of Iraq to meeting its obligations under relevant Security Council resolutions and Governing Council decisions” and “the cooperation of the Government of Kuwait with both the Commission and the Government of Iraq, and commending the goodwill it has shown to the Government of Iraq during the Commission's process.”

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council “reaffirm[ed] that Iraq has fulfilled its international obligations to compensate all claimants awarded compensation by the Commission for direct loss, damage – including environmental damage and the depletion of natural resources” and encouraged recipients of environmental remediation and restoration awards to keep “Iraq appropriately informed of progress on the projects through the United Nations Secretariat.”

The Council, also acting under Chapter VII, requested the United Nations Secretariat provide access to the Government of Iraq, upon its request,” and “decide[d] to terminate the mandate of the Commission, and, in accordance with Decision No. 277 of the Governing Council, direct the Commission to conclude the outstanding matters necessary for its closure and for the dissolution of the Fund by the end of 2022.”

[http://undocs.org/en/S/RES/2621(2022)]