               United Nations                                                                     S/RES/2535 (2020)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                14 July 2020

               Resolution 2535 (2020)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8748th meeting, on
               14 July 2020

                    The Security Council,
                    Reaffirming its commitment to the full implementation of resolution 2250
               (2015) and 2419 (2018) and its Presidential Statement of 12 December 2019
               (S/PRST/2019/15),
                    Recalling its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009),
               1960 (2010), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2242 (2015), 2467 (2019) and 2493 (2019)
               on Women, Peace and Security and all relevant Statements of its President,
                     Recalling further its resolutions 1265 (1999), 1674 (2006) and 1894 (2009) on
               the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict,
                     Recalling its resolutions 1645 (2005), 2282 (2016) and 2413 (2018) on the
               peacebuilding architecture and the Statements of its President on Post-Conflict
               Peacebuilding S/PRST/2012/29 and S/PRST/2015/2 and on peacebuilding and
               sustaining peace S/PRST/2016/12,
                    Recalling also its resolutions on Countering Terrorism including 2178 (2014),
               2195 (2014), 2354 (2017), 2395 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019) and 2482 (2019)
               and the Statement of its President S/PRST/2015/11, S/PRST/2020/5,
                     Reaffirming the importance of promoting the United Nations’ ability to deliver
               on its founding determination to save and support succeeding generations against the
               scourge of war and putting emphasis on preventive diplomacy, mediation and good
               offices, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and sustaining peace,
                     Reaffirming the important and positive contribution youth can make to the
               efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, prevention and
               resolution of conflicts and as a key aspect of the sustainability, inclusiveness and
               success of peacekeeping and peace building efforts,
                     Recognizing that today’s generation of youth is the largest the world has ever
               known and that young people often form the majority of the population of countries
               affected by armed conflict,
                     Noting that the term youth is defined in the context of this resolution as persons
               of the age of 18–29 years old, and further noting the variations of definition of the
               term that may exist on the national and international levels, including the definition
               of youth in the General Assembly Resolutions A/RES/50/81 and A/RES/56/117,

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                    Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations
               and the primary responsibility of the Security Council under the Charter for the
               maintenance of international peace and security,
                    Expressing concern that among civilians, youth account for many of those
               adversely affected by armed conflict, including as refugees and internally displaced
               persons, and that the disruption of youth’s access to quality education and economic
               opportunities has a dramatic impact on durable peace and reconciliation,
                     Recognizing that youth should actively be engaged in shaping lasting peace and
               contributing to justice and reconciliation, and that a large youth population presents
               a unique demographic dividend that can contribute to lasting peace and economic
               prosperity if inclusive policies are in place,
                     Recognizing that the protection of all youth, particularly young women, refugees
               and internally displaced youth in armed conflict and post-conflict and their
               participation in peace processes can significantly contribute to the maintenance and
               promotion of international peace and security, and should be an important component
               of any comprehensive strategy to resolve conflict and build peace,
                     Emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to peacebuilding and
               sustaining peace, particularly through the prevention of conflict and addressing its
               root causes at all stages of conflict,
                     Reaffirming the primary responsibility of national governments and authorities
               in identifying, driving and directing priorities, strategies and activities for
               peacebuilding and sustaining peace and that inclusivity, including by ensuring full,
               effective and meaningful participation of youth without discrimination of any kind,
               such as race, colour, sex, language, disability, religion or belief, political or other
               opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status is key to advancing
               peacebuilding processes and objectives in order to ensure that the needs of all
               segments of society are taken into account,
                     Reiterating the important role youth can play as agents of change in countering
               terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism,
                     Recognizing that core challenges still remain, including structural barriers that
               limit the participation and capacity of young people, especially young women, to
               influence decision making, violations of their human rights, and insufficient
               investment in facilitating inclusion, particularly through quality education,
                     Recognizing the significance of the fifth anniversary of resolution 2250 (2015),
               the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000),the review of the United Nations
               peacebuilding architecture, the launch of the Decade of Action and delivery for
               Sustainable Development, the 25th anniversary of the Platform for Action of the
               Fourth World Conference on Women and the seventy fifth anniversary of the United
               Nations, and the 5th anniversary since the adoption of the Sustainable Development
               Goals offering a prime opportunity to highlight the invaluable role of young people
               and to amplify their voices and perspectives in shaping the world and its future,
                     Acknowledging the on-going work of national governments and regional and
               international organisations to engage youth in building and maintaining peace,
                     Recognizing the importance of civil society, including community-based civil
               society, youth, women, peacebuilders, and where relevant the private sector,
               academia, think tanks, media, and cultural, educational, and religious leaders in peace
               building efforts and sustaining peace, including by increasing awareness about threats
               of terrorism and more effectively tackling them,

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                 Taking note with appreciation of the United Nations Youth 2030 Strategy of the
           Secretary-General which provides a road map for the United Nations system,
           including a specific priority on peacebuilding and resilience-building, directly aligned
           with resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2419 (2018),
                 Recognizing the challenges faced by youth, especially by young women, which
           put them at particular risk, including gender inequalities that perpetuate all forms of
           discrimination and violence and emphasizing that advancing gender equality and
           empowerment of women is critical for the full, equal and effective participation of
           women at all stages of peace processes given their vital role in the prevention and
           resolution of conflict and peacebuilding, reaffirming the key role women can play in
           re-establishing the fabric of recovering society and in the development and
           implementation of post-conflict strategies in order to take into account their
           perspectives and needs,
                 Reaffirming the right to education and its contribution to the achievement of
           peace and security and further recognizing that investment in universal, and inclusive
           education and training is an important policy investment that States can make to
           ensure the immediate and long-term development of youth, and reiterating that access
           to inclusive, equitable and quality formal and non-formal education are important
           factors that enable youth to acquire the relevant skills and to build their capacities,
                Taking note of the first report of the Secretary-General of 2 March 2020
           (S/2020/167) and its recommendations, and noting the independent Progress Study
           on Youth, Peace and Security, “The missing peace”,
                 1.   Calls on all relevant actors, to consider ways to increase the inclusive
           representation of youth for the prevention and resolution of conflict, as w ell as in
           peacebuilding, including when negotiating and implementing peace agreements, and
           to ensure the full, effective and meaningful participation of youth, recognizing that
           their marginalization is detrimental to building sustainable peace;
                 2.   Reaffirms states’ obligation to respect, promote and protect human rights
           and fundamental freedoms of all individuals, including youth, and ensure equal access
           to justice and preserve the integrity of rule of law institutions; and to foster an
           enabling and safe environment for youth working on peace and security, including by
           protecting civic and political space and condemning hate speech and incitement to
           violence;
                 3.   Urges all parties to armed conflict to protect civilians, including those who
           are youth, and to comply strictly with their obligations under international law, inter
           alia under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto of
           1977;
                 4.   Further urges Member States to protect youth from violence in armed
           conflict, and urges all parties to eliminate all forms of sexual and gender-based
           violence as well as human trafficking;
                 5.   Urges Member States to facilitate an inclusive, safe, enabling and genderresponsive environment in which youth actors, including youth from different
           backgrounds are recognized and provided with adequate support and protection to
           implement violence prevention activities and support social cohesion, and to carry
           out their work independently and without undue interference, including in situations
           of armed conflict, and to investigate thoroughly and impartially threats, harassment,
           and violence against them, to ensure that perpetrators be brought to justice;
                6.  Also calls upon Member States to comply with their respective obligations
           to end impunity and further calls on them to investigate and prosecute those

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               responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other egregious
               crimes perpetrated against civilians, including youth;
                     7.   Stresses the importance of providing opportunities for young people to
               strengthen resilience against radicalization to violence and terrorist recruitment by
               creating policies for youth, while complying with relevant obligations und er
               international law, in particular international human rights law and international
               humanitarian law as an essential part of successful counter-terrorism efforts;
                     8.   Stresses the importance of creating policies for youth that would positively
               contribute to peacebuilding efforts, including social and economic development,
               supporting projects designed to grow local economies, and provide youth
               employment opportunities and vocational training, fostering their education, and
               promoting youth entrepreneurship and constructive political engagement;
                     9.     Recognizes that digital spaces provide innovative participation
               opportunities for dialogue, accountability and transparency in decision -making,
               including in conflict-affected contexts and that, at the same time, inequalities with
               regards to access to technology remain widespread and Internet and social media can
               be used to spread disinformation and terrorist ideologies and threaten and attack
               young activists and expressing concern over the increased use, in a globalized society,
               by terrorists and their supporters of new information and communication technologies
               for terrorist purposes, and encourages Member States to act cooperatively to prevent
               terrorists from exploiting technology, communications and resources for terrorist acts,
               while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and in compliance with
               other obligations under international law;
                     10. Recognizes that young people’s meaningful engagement in humanitarian
               planning and response is essential to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian
               assistance and that young people play a unique role in strengthening the national, local
               and community-based capacities in conflict and post-conflict situations to prepare for
               and respond to increasingly frequent and severe weather events and natural disasters,
               as well as to public health challenges that affect young people’s life and their future,
               including the COVID-19 pandemic, and in this regard, encourages member states to
               support and integrate youth into decision-making processes in these regards;
                     11. Calls on Member States to take appropriate measures to promote the
               physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of young survivors of
               armed conflict, including those with disabilities, and survivors of sexual violence in
               conflict by providing, amongst others, access to quality education, socio -economic
               support and skills development such as vocational training, to resume social and
               economic life;
                    12. Calls upon Member States to protect educational institutions as spaces free
               from all forms of violence, and to ensure that they are accessible to all youth,
               including marginalized youth, and take steps to address young women’s equal
               enjoyment of their right to education;
                     13. Calls on Member states to take steps to encourage the meaningful
               participation of youth in the reconstruction of areas devastated by conflict, to bring
               help to refugees, internally displaced persons, and war victims and promote peace,
               reconciliation and rehabilitation;
                     14. Encourages Member States, regional and subregional organizations to
               develop and implement policies and programs for youth and to facilitate their
               constructive engagement, including through dedicated local, national and regional
               roadmaps on youth, peace and security, with sufficient resources, through a
               participatory process, in particular with young people and youth organizations and to

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           pursue its implementation, including through the monitoring, evaluation and
           coordination with young people;
                 15. Welcomes the efforts of the Peacebuilding Commission to advance the
           youth, peace and security agenda and its increased engagement in support of young
           peacebuilders and include in its discussions and advice, ways to engage youth
           meaningfully in national, regional and international efforts to build and sustain peace,
           while reaffirming its principle of national ownership and leadership in peacebuilding,
           and encourages the Peacebuilding Commission to continue to support the important
           peacebuilding role that young people play and the participation and views of youthled organization, in planning and stabilization efforts in peacebuilding and sustaining
           peace, and to continue to bring its observations and advice to the attention of the
           Security Council, as appropriate;
                 16. Calls on Member States, regional organizations and the United Nations
           system, including peacekeeping and special political missions, to coordinate and
           increase their engagement in the implementation of resolutions 2250 (2015), 2419
           (2018), and this resolution including through inclusive partnership with young
           people, and to ensure dedicated capacities with regard to youth, peace and security,
           and in this regard encourages the Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth
           to promote coordination and coherence of youth, peace and security activities across
           the UN-system while tracking implementation of this resolution as well as resolutions
           2250 and 2419;
                 17. Encourages Member States to consider increasing, as appropriate, funding
           for the implementation of the youth, peace and security agenda, including accessible
           resourcing for youth-led and youth-focused organizations;
                 18. Expresses its intention, where appropriate, to continue to invite civil
           society including youth-led organizations as well as young peacebuilders to brief the
           Council in country-specific considerations and relevant thematic areas and include
           interactive and inclusive meetings with local youth, youth-led organizations and
           young peacebuilders, in the field during Council missions;
                 19. Recognizes the role of the Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth and her
           Office, and the work of relevant entities of the United Nations, Rapporteurs, Special
           Envoys, Representatives of the Secretary-General, and Resident Coordinators in the
           implementation of the youth, peace and security agenda, in line with the five pillars
           outlined by resolution 2250, which are participation, protection, prevention,
           disengagement and reintegration, and partnerships, including by ensuring that the
           essential role of young people in advancing peace and security is fully recognized and
           supported and encourages them to continue improving their coordination and
           interaction regarding the role and the needs of youth during armed conflicts and post -
           conflict situations, including with regional organizations;
                 20. Requests the Secretary-General and his Special Envoys to include the
           views of youth in relevant discussions pertinent to the maintenance of peace and
           security, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, and to facilitate the full, effective and
           meaningful participation of youth at all decision-making levels, paying particular
           attention to the inclusion of young women and without distinction or discrimination
           of any kind;
                21. Requests the Secretary General to provide guidance for all peacekeeping
           and other relevant United Nations missions on the implementation of the youth, peace
           and security agenda and urges all peacekeeping and other relevant United Nations
           missions to develop and implement context-specific strategies on youth, peace and
           security, bearing in mind their respective mandates;

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                    22. Requests the Secretary-General to develop a dedicated guidance on the
               protection of young people, including those who engage with the United Nations in
               the context of peace and security and as part of the new Common Agenda on
               Protection for the UN System;
                     23. Encourages the Secretary-General and relevant United Nations Entities,
               to develop internal mechanisms within the United Nations system to broaden the
               participation of youth, within the work of the United Nations and to redouble their
               efforts to improve capacity building and technical guidance and to integrate the youth,
               peace and security agenda in United Nations strategic and planning documents,
               conflict analyses, frameworks, initiatives and guidance tools, at the global, regional
               and national levels, including by appointing youth focal points, building on existing
               human resources, for the implementation of the youth, peace and security agenda
               within their respective mandates;
                     24. Requests the Secretary-General to include information and related
               recommendations on issues of relevance to young people, in the context of armed
               conflict, including on progress made towards participation of youth in peace processes,
               in thematic and geographic reports and regular briefings to the Council, as well as to
               include pertinent disaggregated data related to youth within existing mandates;
                     25. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that, within existing resources,
               capacities and expertise to engage young people and youth organizations in
               peacebuilding and sustaining peace at the local, national, regional and international
               levels and programmatic activities are in place for the accelerated implementation of
               the youth, peace and security agenda;
                   26. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a biennial report to the Security
               Council on the implementation of this resolution and of resolutions 2250 and 2419;
                    27.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

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Security Council resolution 2535 (2020) [on youth in conflict prevention and resolution]

YOUTH|WAR PREVENTION|PEACEMAKING|PEACEBUILDING|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS

S/75 [11] YOUTH
S/75 [27] PEACEBUILDING
S/ X Maintenance of international peace and security.


               United Nations                                                                     S/RES/2536 (2020)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                28 July 2020

               Resolution 2536 (2020)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8750th meeting, on
               28 July 2020

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling all of its previous resolutions, statements of its President, and press
               statements on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR),
                     Welcoming the efforts made by the CAR authorities, in coordination with their
               international partners, to advance the reform of the security sector (SSR), including
               the ongoing deployment of CAR defence and security forces, encouraging them to
               implement their National Defence Plan, Force Employment Concept, and National
               Security Policy, and acknowledging the urgent need for the CAR authorities to train
               and equip their defence and security forces to be able to respond proportionately to
               threats to the security of all citizens in the CAR,
                     Welcoming also the commitment demonstrated and the progress made by the
               CAR authorities, along with their international partners, to achieve the key
               benchmarks for the review of the arms embargo measures, through inter alia
               suspension or progressive lifting of these measures, established in the statement of its
               President of 9 April 2019 (S/PRST/2019/3) (“the key benchmarks”) and taking note
               of the letter of the CAR authorities addressed to the President of the Security Council
               (S/2020/57),
                    Stressing the importance of the CAR authorities achieving the key benchmarks
               in order to contribute to the advancement of the SSR process, the disarmament,
               demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation (DDRR) process and necessary
               weapons and ammunition management reforms and encouraging the CAR authorities
               to maintain their efforts and continue their progress in this regard,
                     Recalling that deliveries of weapons, ammunition and military equipment and
               the provision of technical assistance or training, to the CAR security forces and
               intended solely for support of or use in the CAR process of SSR, by Member States
               or international, regional and subregional organisations should only be used for the
               purposes specified in the relevant notifications and exempti on requests and
               underlining their contribution to the development of CAR security sector institutions,
               to the response to the specific needs of the CAR defence and security forces, and to
               the support to the progressive extension of State authority,

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                     Stressing the need for the CAR authorities to ensure physical protection, control,
                management, traceability, and accountability of weapons, ammunition and military
                equipment transferred to their control,
                    Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 16 June 2020 (S/2020/545)
                submitted pursuant to resolution 2499 (2019),
                      Taking note of the Secretary-General’s letter dated 30 June 2020 addressed to
                the President of the Security Council (S/2020/622) consistent with paragraph 13 of
                resolution 2507 (2020) and of the CAR authorities’ report addressed to the Security
                Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the
                CAR (“the Committee”) consistent with paragraph 12 of resolution 2507 (2020),
                     Further taking note of the final report (S/2020/662) of the Panel of Experts on
                the CAR established pursuant to resolution 2127 (2013), expanded by resolution 2134
                (2014) and extended pursuant to resolution 2507 (2020) (“the Panel of Experts”), and
                taking note also of the Panel of Experts’ recommendations,
                      Determining that the situation in the CAR continues to constitute a threat to
                international peace and security in the region,
                     Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
                      1.    Decides that, until 31 July 2021, all Member States shall continue to tak e
                the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the
                CAR, from or through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels
                or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons a nd
                ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare
                parts for the aforementioned, and technical assistance, training, financial or other
                assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any
                arms and related materiel, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel
                whether or not originating in their territories, and further decides that these measures
                shall not apply to:
                      (a) Supplies intended solely for the support of or use by MINUSCA an d the
                European Union training missions deployed in the CAR, French forces under the
                conditions provided by paragraph 52 of resolution 2499 (2019), and other Member
                States’ forces providing training and assistance as notified in advance in accordance
                with paragraph 1 (b) below;
                      (b) Supplies of non-lethal equipment and provision of assistance, including
                operational and non-operational training to the CAR security forces, including state
                civilian law enforcement institutions, intended solely for support of or use in the CAR
                process of security sector reform (SSR), in coordination with MINUSCA, and as
                notified in advance to the Committee, and requests that MINUSCA report on the
                contribution to SSR of this exemption, as part of its regular reports to the Council;
                      (c) Supplies brought into the CAR by Chadian or Sudanese forces solely for
                their use in international patrols of the tripartite force established on 23 May 2011 in
                Khartoum by the CAR, Chad and Sudan, to enhance security in the common border
                areas, in cooperation with MINUSCA, as approved in advance by the Committee;
                      (d) Supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian
                or protective use, and related technical assistance or training, as notified in advance
                to the Committee;

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                (e) Protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets,
           temporarily exported to the CAR by United Nations personnel, representatives of the
           media and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel, for their
           personal use only;
                 (f) Supplies of small arms and other related equipment intended solely for use
           in international-led patrols providing security in the Sangha River Tri-national
           Protected Area and by armed wildlife rangers of the Chinko Project and the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park to defend against poaching, smuggling of ivory and arms,
           and other activities contrary to the national laws of the CAR or the CAR ’s
           international legal obligations, as notified in advance to the Committee;
                 (g) Supplies of weapons with a calibre of 14.5 mm or less, and ammunition
           and components specially designed for such weapons, and of unarmed ground military
           vehicles and ground military vehicles mounted with weapons with a calibre of
           14.5 mm or less and their spare parts, and of RPG and ammunition specially designed
           for such weapons, and provision of related assistance, to the CAR security forces,
           including state civilian law enforcement institutions, and intended solely for support
           of or use in the CAR process of SSR, as notified in advance to the Committee;
                 (h) Supplies of arms and other related lethal equipment that are not listed in
           paragraph 1 (g) of this resolution, and provision of related assistance, to the CAR
           security forces, including state civilian law enforcement institutions, and intended
           solely for support of or use in the CAR process of SSR, as approved in advance by
           the Committee; or
                 (i) Other sales or supply of arms and other related materiel, or provision of
           assistance or personnel, as approved in advance by the Committee;
                 2.    Decides that the supplying Member State is primarily responsible for
           notifying the Committee and that such notification must be at least 20 days in advance
           of the delivery of any supplies as permitted in paragraph 1 (d), paragraph 1 (f) and
           paragraph 1 (g) of this resolution and affirms that the supplying international, regional
           or subregional organisation is primarily responsible for notifying the Committee and
           that such notification must be at least 20 days in advance of the delivery of any
           supplies as permitted in paragraph 1 (d), paragraph 1 (f) and paragraph 1 (g) of this
           resolution;
                 3.   Decides to renew until 31 July 2021 the measures and provisions as set out
           in paragraphs 4 and 5 of resolution 2488 (2019) and in paragraph 2 of resolution 2399
           (2018) and recalls paragraphs 8 and 9 of resolution 2488 (2019);
                 4.    Decides to renew until 31 July 2021 the measures and provisions as set out
           in paragraphs 9, 14, and 16 to 19 of resolution 2399 (2018) and extended by paragraph
           4 of resolution 2507 (2020) and recalls paragraphs 10 to 13 and 15 of resolution 2399
           (2018);
                5.    Reaffirms that the measures described in paragraphs 9 and 16 of resolution
           2399 (2018) shall apply to individuals and entities as designated by the Committee ,
           as set forth in paragraphs 20 to 22 of resolution 2399 (2018) and extended by
           paragraph 5 of resolution 2507 (2020);
                6.    Decides to extend until 31 August 2021 the mandate of the Panel of
           Experts, as set out in paragraphs 30 to 39 of resolution 2399 (2018) and extended by
           paragraph 6 of resolution 2507 (2020), expresses its intention to review the mandate

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                and take appropriate action regarding its further extension no later than 31 July 2021,
                and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures as
                expeditiously as possible to re-establish the Panel of Experts, in consultation with the
                Committee, drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise of the current members of the
                Panel of Experts;
                       7.   Requests the Panel of Experts to provide to the Council, after discussion
                with the Committee, a midterm report no later than 31 January 2021, a final report no
                later than 30 June 2021, and progress updates, as appropriate;
                      8.    Expresses particular concern about reports of illicit transnational
                trafficking networks which continue to fund and supply armed groups in the CAR,
                and requests the Panel, in the course of carrying out its mandate, to devote special
                attention to the analysis of such networks, in cooperation with other Panels or Groups
                of Experts established by the Security Council as appropriate;
                      9.    Urges all parties, and all Member States, as well as international, regional
                and subregional organisations to ensure cooperation with the Panel of Experts and the
                safety of its members;
                      10. Further urges all Member States and all relevant United Nations bodies to
                ensure unhindered access, in particular to persons, documents and sites in order for
                the Panel of Experts to execute its mandate and recalls the value of informationsharing between MINUSCA and the Panel of Experts;
                     11. Reaffirms the Committee provisions and the reporting and review
                provisions as set out in resolution 2399 (2018) and extended by resolution 2507
                (2020);
                      12. Requests the CAR authorities to report, by 15 June 2021, to the Committee
                on the progress achieved regarding the SSR, the disarmament, demobilisation,
                reintegration and repatriation (DDRR) process and the management of weapons and
                ammunition;
                     13. Requests the Secretary-General, in close consultation with MINUSCA,
                including UNMAS, and the Panel of Experts, to conduct, no later than 15 June 2021,
                an assessment on the progress achieved by the CAR authorities on the key
                benchmarks;
                      14. Affirms that it shall keep the situation in the CAR under continuous review
                and be prepared to review the appropriateness of the measures contained in this
                resolution, at any time as may be necessary, in light of the evolution of the security
                situation in the country, of the progress achieved in relation to the SSR process, the
                DDRR process and the management of weapons and ammunition, in particular the
                management and tracking of notified and exempted arms and other related equipment,
                including in relation to the report and assessment requested in paragraphs 12 and 13
                of this resolution, and of compliance with this resolution;
                     15.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

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Security Council resolution 2536 (2020) [on renewal of measures on arms, transport, finance and travel against the Central African Republic until 31 July 2021 and extension of the mandate of the Panel of Experts Established pursuant to Resolution 2127 (2013) until 31 Aug. 2021]

UN. Security Council Committee Established pursuant to Resolution 2127 (2013) concerning the Central African Republic|UN. Panel of Experts Established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2127 (2013)|UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|SANCTIONS|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC|ARMS EMBARGO|TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS|FROZEN ASSETS

S/75 [181] CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SITUATION
S/75 [227] UN MULTIDIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED STABILIZATION MISSION IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
S/ X The situation in the Central African Republic.


           United Nations                                                                      S/RES/2537 (2020)
           Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                             28 July 2020

           Resolution 2537 (2020)
           Adopted by the Security Council at its 8751st meeting, on
           28 July 2020

                The Security Council,
                 Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 10 July 2020 on his Good
           Offices (S/2020/685) and on the United Nations operation in Cyprus ( S/2020/682),
           and expressing its full support for his Good Offices to remain available to assist the
           sides, should they jointly decide to re-engage in negotiations with the necessary
           political will,
                 Underscoring that the responsibility for finding a solution lies first and foremost
           with the Cypriots themselves, and reaffirming the primary role of the United Nations
           in assisting the parties to bring the Cyprus conflict and division of the island to a
           comprehensive and durable settlement with a sense of urgency,
                 Urging the sides to renew their efforts to achieve an enduring, comprehensive
           and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality,
           as set out in relevant Security Council resolutions, including OP4 of its resolution 716
           (1991), and stressing that the status quo is unsustainable,
                 Expressing deep concern at the further escalation and increased tensions in the
           eastern Mediterranean over hydrocarbons exploration, convinced of the many
           important benefits, including economic benefits, for all Cypriots that would flow from
           a comprehensive and durable settlement, and reiterating the Secretary-General’s call
           for serious efforts to avoid any further escalation and to defuse tensions,
                  Recalling its resolution 1325 (2000) and related resolutions, recognising that the
           full, effective and meaningful participation and leadership of women is essential in
           building peace in Cyprus and will contribute to making any future settlement
           sustainable, welcoming efforts to bring together a broader range of women actors on
           both sides, encouraging the sides to ensure the unique concerns of women are
           addressed in a future settlement, and looking forward to the outcome of the gendersensitive socio-economic impact assessment requested in its resolution 2453 (2019),
                 Recalling its resolution 2250 (2015) that recognises the important and positive
           contribution of youth in efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and
           security, and as a key aspect of the sustainability, inclusiveness and success of
           peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts, and further encourages the full, effective and
           meaningful participation of youth in this process,

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                      Recognising that effective contact and communication between the sides
                 enhances the prospects for settlement and is in the interests of all Cypriots, and helps
                 to address island-wide matters, including environmental protection and crime,
                       Recognising the impact on the island of Cyprus of the COVID-19 pandemic and the
                 efforts made by both communities to suppress the spread of the virus and mitigate its effects,
                       Further recognising that the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted opportunities and
                 capacity for negotiation, and expressing concern that the uncoordinated decisions to close
                 the crossing points along the Green line in response to the pandemic have prevented most
                 bi-communal engagement, and that the prolonged closure of the crossing points threatens to
                 set back the progress made in this area since 2003,
                       Expressing concern at the continued deterioration of the law and order situation
                 in Pyla, and urging both sides to continue to work with UNFICYP to establish
                 effective measures to tackle criminal activities,
                       Emphasising the importance of confidence-building measures and their timely
                 implementation, and urging the sides to step up their efforts to promote
                 intercommunal contacts, reconciliation and the active engagement of civil society, in
                 particular women and youth,
                      Noting that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in view of the prevailing
                 conditions on the island it is necessary to keep the United Nations Peacekeeping Force
                 in Cyprus (UNFICYP) beyond 31 July 2020,
                       Welcoming measures to date to strengthen the liaison and engagement capacity
                 of the mission, noting the importance of transition planning in relation to the
                 settlement, and emphasising the need to review regularly all peacekeeping operations,
                 including UNFICYP, to ensure efficiency and effectiveness,
                      Echoing the Secretary-General’s gratitude to the Government of Cyprus and the
                 Government of Greece for their voluntary contributions to the funding of UNFICYP,
                 and expressing appreciation to Member States that contribute personnel to UNFICYP,
                      Noting with appreciation the efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special
                 Representative Elizabeth Spehar, and senior United Nations official Jane Holl Lute,
                      1.    Welcomes the trilateral meeting of the leaders and the Secretary-General
                 on 25 November 2019 in Berlin, at which both sides reaffirmed their commitment to
                 a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in relevant
                 Security Council resolutions, including OP4 of its resolution 716 (1991), the Joint
                 Declaration of 11 February 2014, the prior convergences, and the six point framework
                 presented by the Secretary-General on 30 June 2017 at the Conference of Cyprus;
                       2.   Further welcomes the Secretary-General’s agreement to extend his efforts
                 to achieve terms of reference to serve as a consensus starting point for phased,
                 meaningful, and results-oriented negotiations at the earliest feasible opportunity, and
                 urges the sides and all involved participants to renew their political will and
                 commitment to a settlement under United Nations auspices, including by engaging
                 actively and with a sense of urgency with the Secretary-General and senior United
                 Nations official, Jane Holl Lute;
                       3.    Reiterates its call for a reduction of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean,
                 and further calls upon the leaders of the two Cypriot communities and all involved
                 parties to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that might damage chances of success;

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                4.   Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions on Cyprus, in particular resolution
           1251 (1999);
                 5.    Recalls its resolution 2506 (2020) and calls upon the two leaders urgently
           to:
                (a) put their efforts expeditiously behind further work on reaching
           convergences on the core issues;
                (b) reaffirm their political support for all Technical Committees, empower
           them to submit proposals for their consideration to enhance intercommunal contacts
           and improve the daily lives of all Cypriots, and consider the advice of the Good
           Offices Mission of the Secretary-General regarding further ways to empower the
           Technical Committees and improve their performance;
                 (c) ensure effective coordination and cooperation on health matters, including
           in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases which have
           island-wide implications, including through the effective use of the expertise
           available in the bi-communal Technical Committees on Health, Crisis Management,
           Humanitarian Affairs and Economic Matters;
                 (d)   ensure effective coordination and cooperation on criminal matters;
                 (e) promote peace education across the island, including by further
           empowering the Technical Committee on Education to implement the
           recommendations contained in its joint report of 2017, in particular t hose concerning
           policy-making, and to address impediments to peace in school materials, including
           text books, as a contribution to trust-building between the communities, on which
           there continues to be little progress;
                (f) improve the public atmosphere for negotiation to secure a settlement,
           including by preparing the communities for a settlement through public messages on
           convergences and the way ahead, and delivering more constructive and harmonised
           messages, and by refraining from actions or rhetoric that detracts from a successful
           process or could make it more difficult to achieve, recalling the Secretary -General’s
           statement of 25 November 2019 in this regard;
                 (g) increase their support to, and ensure a meaningful role for, civil society
           engagement in peace efforts, in particular strengthening the participation of women’s
           organisations and youth in the process, including by empowering the Technical
           Committee on Gender Equality to meet and develop an action plan supporting
           women’s full, effective and meaningful participation in peace talks and providing
           direct support and encouragement to civil society organisations to enhance
           inter-communal contact and trust-building;
                6.   Calls for the establishment of an effective mechanism for direct military
           contacts between the sides and the relevant involved parties, encourages full
           engagement with the proposal on the establishment of such a mechanism presented
           by UNFICYP, and calls for its timely implementation;
                 7.    Calls upon the sides to reduce existing barriers to intercommunal contact,
           and emphasizes the importance of effective communication for risk -mitigation and
           trust-building between the communities;
                8.    Further calls for the reopening of all the crossing points and the return to
           the operating status that existed prior to 29 February 2020 as soon as practically

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                 achievable, and for any continuing restrictions on movement across the island to
                 prevent the spread of COVID-19 to be coordinated, and not go beyond what is
                 necessary to protect public health; and noting that the opening of the crossings since
                 2003 has been an important confidence-building measure between both communities
                 and one which is essential for the settlement process;
                       9.    Welcomes the progress towards the inter-operability of mobile phones
                 across the island, and calls for further work to ensure the arrangement is made more
                 broadly available and affordable to subscribers on both sides of the island, and urges
                 the sides to agree and implement further confidence building measures, includ ing
                 those related to the military, economic cooperation and trade;
                       10. Commends the work of the Committee on Missing Persons, and calls upon
                 all parties expeditiously to enhance their cooperation with the Committee’s work, in
                 particular through providing full access to all areas and responding in a timely manner
                 to requests for archival information on possible burial sites;
                       11. Expresses its full support for UNFICYP, and decides to extend its mandate
                 for a further period ending on 31January 2021;
                       12. Expresses serious concern at the increased number and severity of
                 violations of the military status quo along the ceasefire lines, urges the sides and all
                 involved parties to respect UNFICYP’s mandated authority in, and delineation of, the
                 buffer zone, urges the use of the 2018 United Nations aide-memoire by the sides to
                 ensure peace and security in the buffer zone, and calls on both sides to prevent
                 unauthorised activities between the ceasefire lines;
                      13. Calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore in Strovilia
                 the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000, recalls the status of
                 Varosha as set out in relevant resolutions, including resolutions 550 (1984) and 789
                 (1992), and reaffirms that UNFICYP’s freedom of movement should be respected;
                       14. Welcomes the announcement that 18 suspected hazardous areas across the
                 island have now been cleared of mines, and urges the leaders of both communities to
                 agree and continue a plan of work to achieve a mine-free Cyprus;
                      15. Requests UNFICYP to take fully into account gender considerations as a
                 cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate; requests the Secretary-General and troopand police-contributing countries to increase the number of women in UNFICYP and
                 ensure the full, effective and meaningful participation of women in all aspects of its
                 operations;
                       16. Welcomes the initiatives undertaken by the Secretary-General to
                 standardise a culture of performance in UN peacekeeping, recalls its requests in its
                 resolutions 2378 (2017) and 2436 (2018) that the Secretary-General ensure that
                 performance data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations is used to
                 improve mission operations, including decisions such as those regarding deployment,
                 remediation, repatriation and incentives, reaffirms its support for the development of
                 a comprehensive and integrated performance policy framework that identifies clear
                 standards of performance for evaluating all United Nations civilian and uniformed
                 personnel working in and supporting peacekeeping operations that facil itates effective
                 and full implementation of mandates, and includes comprehensive and objective
                 methodologies based on clear and well-defined benchmarks to ensure accountability
                 for underperformance and incentives and recognition for outstanding performance ,

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           calls on the United Nations to apply this framework to UNFICYP as described in its
           resolution 2436 (2018), and notes the efforts of the Secretary-General to develop a
           comprehensive performance assessment system;
                 17. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take necessary measures to
           ensure full compliance of all UNFICYP personnel, civilian and uniformed, including
           mission leadership and mission support personnel, with the United Nations zero -
           tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council fully
           informed about the Mission’s progress in this regard, stresses the need to prevent such
           exploitation and abuse and to improve how these allegations are addressed in line
           with its resolution 2272 (2016), and urges troop- and police-contributing countries to
           continue to take appropriate preventative action, including vetting of all personnel,
           pre-deployment and in-mission awareness training, and to take appropriate steps to
           ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel,
           including through timely investigations of allegations by troop - and policecontributing countries, and UNFICYP as appropriate, holding perpetrators to account,
           and repatriating units when there is credible evidence of widespread or systemic
           sexual exploitation and abuse by those units;
                 18. Requests the Secretary-General to submit by 10 January 2021 a report on
           his Good Offices, in particular on progress towards reaching a consensus starting -
           point for meaningful results-oriented negotiations leading to a settlement, encourages
           the leaders of the two communities to provide written updates to the Good Offices
           Mission of the Secretary-General on the actions they have taken in support of the
           relevant parts of this resolution since its adoption, in particular with regard to
           paragraphs 5 and 6 and 8, with a view to reaching a sustainable and comprehensive
           settlement, and further requests the Secretary-General to include the contents of these
           updates in his Good Offices report; further requests the Secretary-General to submit
           by 10 January 2021 a report on implementation of this resolution, and to keep the
           Security Council updated on events as necessary;
                19.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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Security Council resolution 2537 (2020) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 Jan. 2021]

UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus|PEACEBUILDING|CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|GOOD OFFICES|CYPRUS|CYPRUS QUESTION

S/75 [43] UN PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN CYPRUS
S/75 [42] CYPRUS QUESTION
S/ X The situation in Cyprus.


               United Nations                                                                 S/RES/2538 (2020)
               Security Council                                                Distr.: General
                                                                               28 August 2020

               Resolution 2538 (2020)
               Adopted by the Security Council on 28 August 2020

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous relevant resolutions and presidential statements
               addressing issues of peacekeeping and women, peace and security,
                     Recalling the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
               reaffirming the primary responsibility of the Security Council under the Charter of
               the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security,
                     Underscoring the importance of peacekeeping as one of the most effective tools
               available to the United Nations in the promotion and maintenance of international
               peace and security,
                    Reaffirming the basic principles of peacekeeping, such as consent of the parties,
               impartiality, and non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the mandate,
               and recognizing that the mandate of each peacekeeping mission is specific to the need
               and situation of the country concerned, and that the Security Council expects full
               delivery of the mandates it authorizes,
                     Recognizing the significance of the 20th anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000)
               and the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as
               momentum for Member States to commit to implementing the Women, Peace and
               Security agenda and its priorities, by ensuring and promoting the full, equal and
               meaningful participation of women in peace processes, including through
               mainstreaming a gender perspective, and remain committed to increasing the number
               of civilian and uniformed women in peacekeeping at all levels and in all positions,
               including senior leadership positions,
                    Recognizing the indispensable role of women in increasing the overall
               performance and effectiveness of peacekeeping operations, further recognizing that
               the presence of women and better balance between men and women among
               peacekeepers contribute to, among others, greater credibility of the missions among
               the population, more effective community engagement, and enhanced protection
               responses,
                     Noting with appreciation the progress made in efforts undertaken by the
               Secretary-General to mobilize all partners and stakeholders in support of more
               effective United Nations peacekeeping through the Secretary-General’s “Action for
               Peacekeeping” initiative, which places high importance on promoting the Women,
               Peace and Security agenda, alongside advancing political solutions, strengthening

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               protection of civilians, improving the safety and security of peacekeepers, supporting
               effective performance and accountability, strengthening the impact of peacekeeping
               on peacebuilding and sustaining peace, improving peacekeeping partnerships, and
               strengthening the conduct of peacekeeping operations and personnel,
                     Recalling resolution 2242 (2015) and its request that Secretary-General initiate,
               in collaboration with Member States, a strategy to double the number of women in
               military and police contingents of United Nations peacekeeping operations by 2020
               and further requests that this strategy ensure the full, effective and meaningful
               participation of women in all aspects of peacekeeping, further recalling the Secretary-General’s System-Wide Strategy on Gender Parity and Uniformed Gender Parity
               Strategy 2018–2028, and stressing the need to continue the efforts to increase
               participation of women in peacekeeping operations,
                     Stressing that promoting increased women’s participation in peacekeeping
               operations requires collective commitment and concerted efforts by all Member States
               and the United Nations Secretariat, and should be supported with appropriate
               resources, welcoming continuing efforts and initiatives by Member States and the
               United Nations Secretariat to increase women’s participation in peacekeeping
               operations, including by providing uniformed women personnel with equal access to
               education, training and capacity-building, networking opportunities, and taking steps
               to better understand and address barriers to participation of women in peacekeeping,
                     Recalling its resolution 2242 (2015), recognizing the indispensable role of
               women in United Nations peacekeeping and welcoming efforts to incentivise greater
               numbers of women in military, police and civilian deployed in United Nations
               peacekeeping operations, and noting the importance of increasing the number of
               women in leadership positions and of ensuring that the needs and participation of
               women are integrated in all stages of mission planning and implementation through
               the inclusion of appropriate gender technical expertise,
                    Underscoring the importance it places on the safety and security of
               peacekeepers, including women peacekeepers, in the field and the need for the
               Secretary-General and Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries and Member States
               to work together to ensure that missions are adequately resourced and all
               peacekeepers in the field are willing, capable and equipped effectively and safely to
               implement their mandate,
                    1.    Calls upon Member States, the United Nations Secretariat and regional
               organisations to strengthen their collective efforts to promote the full, effective, and
               meaningful participation of uniformed and civilian women in peacekeeping
               operations at all levels and in all positions, including in senior leadership positions;
                     2.  Encourages Member States to develop strategies and measures to increase
               the deployment of uniformed women to peacekeeping operations, including by:
                    (a) Disseminating information about and providing access to deployment
               opportunities for women personnel, including for senior positions;
                     (b) Providing access to training for uniformed women personnel, and ensuring
               that trained uniformed women are deployed for peacekeeping operations;
                    (c) Developing a national database of trained women personnel interested in
               and available for nomination and deployment;
                   (d) Identifying and addressing barriers in the recruitment, deployment, and
               promotion of uniformed women peacekeepers;
                     (e) Considering ways, as appropriate, to increase the participation of women
               in national militaries and police;

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               (f)    Supporting the capacities of regional organisations in training uniformed
           women;
                (g) Taking measures to provide support and incentives including child care
           and other relevant needs;
                 3.    Calls on the Secretary-General to continue to implement the System-Wide
           Strategy on Gender Parity and Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy 2018–2028, and to
           continue to monitor and evaluate progress and challenges in meeting the targets,
           taking into account the views, best practices, and lesson learned from Member States,
           particularly Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries as well as countries hosting
           peacekeeping operations, and further calls on all Member States to continue to
           support the strategies, including by increasing the number and participation of
           uniformed women personnel in peacekeeping operations;
                 4.    Encourages Member States to strengthen cooperation to support greater
           participation of women in peacekeeping operations, including through sharing best
           practices for recruitment, retention, training, and deployment of uniformed women;
                5.   Encourages cooperation between the United Nations and regional and
           subregional organisations in advancing greater participation and role of women in
           peacekeeping operations;
                6.    Calls upon Member States and the United Nations Secretariat to ensure
           safe, enabling and gender-sensitive working environments for women in
           peacekeeping operations and to address threats and violence against them, urges the
           United Nations Secretariat or Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries, where
           appropriate, to provide adequate and appropriate infrastructure and facilities for
           women in the missions, such as accommodation, sanitation, health care, protective
           equipment, taking into account their specific needs as well as demands with regard to
           security and privacy, further urges Member States and the United Nations Secretariat
           to make available adequate resources in this regard;
                 7.   Expresses concern regarding allegations of sexual harassment in
           peacekeeping operations, affirms its support for the Secretary-General’s zerotolerance policy on all forms of sexual harassment, and requests the Secretary-General to strengthen efforts to prevent and address sexual harassment within
           peacekeeping operations, in close cooperation and consultation with Member States;
                 8.   Encourages Troop- and Police-Contributing Countries to provide all
           military and police personnel with adequate training to carry out their responsibilities
           in the missions, and requests the United Nations Secretariat to provide and update the
           necessary guidance and training materials;
                 9.    Encourages Member States and the United Nations Secretariat to enhance
           partnerships to support targeted trainings and capacity-building programmes for
           uniformed women personnel, including through the Light Coordination Mechanism,
           triangular partnership, bilateral, and regional frameworks; further encourages
           Member States to nominate uniformed women personnel to participate in such
           training activities and to promote their deployment to peacekeeping operations;
                10. Requests the United Nations Secretariat to continue public
           communications and advocacy to encourage women’s participation in peacekeeping
           operations, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
                 11. Encourages Member States, the United Nations Secretariat and
           peacekeeping missions to facilitate networking opportunities and develop sustainable
           networks among former, current and prospective women peacekeepers, as a means to
           exchange experience and information about participation in peacekeeping operations
           and to inspire more women to participate in peacekeeping operations;

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                     12. Urges peacekeeping operations to promote full, effective and meaningful
               participation of women in all components and functions and at all levels at
               headquarters and in the field, including through the establishment of mixed
               engagement teams which include both men and women, and increased involvement
               of women peacekeepers in components and functions where they are
               underrepresented;
                     13. Requests the Secretary-General to report the progress of the
               implementation of this resolution and other related aspects of participation of women
               in peacekeeping operations in his comprehensive annual briefing mandated by its
               resolution 2378 (2017);
                    14.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.

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Security Council resolution 2538 (2020) [on women in peacekeeping operations]

S/75 [201] WOMEN IN ARMED CONFLICTS
S/75 [18] PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS
S/ X United Nations peacekeeping operations.