Brazil assumes the presidency of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN), this Sunday (1st). According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), peace and gender equality are the main themes that should be addressed by the country.
“It is an event that is on the agenda to draw attention to the role that women can play in conflict prevention and resolution processes and presence in peace operations”, stated the Secretary of Multilateral Political Affairs of the MRE, ambassador Carlos Márcio Cozendey , to G1.
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In total, the council is made up of 15 countries, five of which have fixed seats and another 10 with rotating positions. The fixed ones are China, United States, France, United Kingdom and Russia). The rotating ones are Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, United Arab Emirates, Albania, Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland. The presidency is rotated among all members. Before Brazil, the position was held by the United Arab Emirates.
The presidency lasts only one month. Therefore, in November, Brazil leaves office. Although the role is largely ceremonial, the acting leader has the opportunity to propose debates and define priority topics.
In addition to gender equality, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency of the Republic agreed that the focus will also be on trying to reduce polarization between nations and emphasize the importance of a dialogue agenda as a means to promote peace.
The moment, however, has not been favorable for the proposals, as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has become explicit, leaving little room for dialogue. In many cases, the organ is paralyzed and relegated to the background.
Last week, the severity of the crisis became evident when Russian and Ukrainian ministers left the room whenever the other started talking about the war. While one of them was speaking, the rest of the delegation in the room made a point of looking at their cell phones and showing disinterest.
As fixed countries can veto council decisions, in recent months, Russia’s use of veto power has prevented decision-making on the armed conflict, for example.
In a document sent by Brazil to other countries, to which UOL had access, the government states that the “search for peace is a collective duty” and that countries must “work to revitalize the Security Council”. For the Brazilian government, The countries gathered in the council must “build a safer and more prosperous future” before it is necessary to resort to the use of force.
Editing: Rodrigo Durão Coelho
