Its monthly rotating presidency of Russia in the United Nations Security Council ended. And now it’s Switzerland’s turn. Which, for the first time, officially takes over today for the month of May the presidency of this highest UN body.

As the Swiss Foreign Ministry says on its website, based on the current situation, Switzerland can convene meetings at the request of other SA member states. At the same time, the rotating presidency offers Switzerland the opportunity to “focus on its priorities” and give the SA an “impulse for its action”.

In accordance with Swiss Foreign Ministry, Bern’s priorities include promoting sustainable peace, protecting civilians, strengthening international humanitarian law and the impact of climate change on security and peace policy.

To give more weight to these priorities, the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs may also organize its own meetings. For this reason, Switzerland is planning two such “flagship meetings”. The first will already take place next Wednesday. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignacio Cassis will then chair an open discussion on “promoting sustainable peace”.

At the end of May, the Swiss president Alain Berchet will travel to New York to chair a debate on the “protection of civilians.” The UN Secretary General Anonio Guterres and the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric, will also participate in this meeting.

Also at the end of May, Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amhert will lead a SA meeting in New York to mark the 75th anniversary of UN peacekeeping missions.