Global perspective Human stories

23 July 2026 Peace and Security

Council members met to delve into how best to prevent conflict.

Chapter VI overview: The UN Charter’s Chapter VI, the Pacific settlement of disputes, empowers the Security Council to call on parties in a dispute to resolve it peacefully before it threatens international peace and security. View Chapter VI here.

Debate objectives:

• Identify best practices and gaps in UN Charter-based dispute mechanisms
• Explore how diplomacy and mediation can build trust and prevent conflict
• Review the implementation of resolution 2788 (2025), which requested the Secretary-General to provide recommendations to further strengthen mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes one year following its adoption

Guiding questions: Ambassadors discussed how to make more consistent use of Chapter VI tools, strengthen the Secretary-General’s good offices, better support Member States through mediation and technical advice, learn from past de-escalation successes and leverage regional and subregional organizations for early, locally-owned conflict resolution.

Broader aim: The debate sought practical recommendations to strengthen the Council’s preventive role and support peaceful pathways in potentially destabilising situations.

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