UNITAR
14 July 2021, New York, USA (Virtual) – The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) New York office second series of training on Wednesday, 14 July catered for the members of the Ministry of foreign Affairs of Ireland. This training aims to prepare government officials for the work and responsibilities of the Security Council. The comprehensive training reached more than 50 government officials from the ministry, embassies around the world, and the capital with necessary knowledge and skills that will prepare them for the work of the United Nations.
UNITAR
Mr. Marco Suazo started with a welcoming remark on Wednesday. He introduced the instructor, Ms. Loraine Sievers, the former Chief of the Security Council Secretariat Branch and the co-author of The Procedure of the UN Security Council, and thanked her for her devotion, her time and sharing her knowledge. He also welcomed the government officials from the Ireland Mission. Ms. Loraine Sievers started the training by encouraging the government officials to participate and ask questions, along with giving a brief explanation of the Security Council procedures and working methods. She then introduced Mr. Eoghan McSwiney, Alternate Political Coordinator and Spokesperson at the Irish Mission to the UN during Ireland’s term on the Security Council, who will be participating in the training.
UNITAR
Ms. Sievers commenced the training with a brief overview of the Security Council’s working methods given Ireland’s first 6 months in the councils and in lieu of its presidency in September 2021. She explained the 5 general sources for Security Council procedure and shared a compendium of presidential notes and a glossary of terminologies used for council proceedings. Ms. Sievers explained the process of formulation of agenda items using the Security Council’s summary statement document and also gave a detailed explanation of the difference and similarities between formal and informal meetings. Additionally, she went over the pen holder list, voting and decision-making procedures and multiple outcome charts to better explain Security Council proceedings. Her workshop helped government officials understand their position and integral role in the working of Security Council. Lastly, Ms. Sievers provided some practical advice and tips on how to make the most of the government officials’ time of the council and welcomed questions from the government officials.
The training took place twice on July 14, 2021 and July 15, 2021 during different times in the morning taking into account time zones of differences.