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Slovenia’s two-year term on the Executive Council began on 12 May 2026. At the 30th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, held in November 2025, Slovenia received 122 votes, the highest number among candidates from the Eastern European Group. “This is recognition of Slovenia’s active and responsible role in the international community,” emphasised Minister Fajon.

At the meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels, Minister Tanja Fajon stressed that the Union must maintain a visible and active engagement in the Western Balkans and that enlargement must remain a political priority. She also expressed concern over the situation in the Middle East and reaffirmed Slovenia’s position that the EU and its partners must continue to exert pressure on Russia, as there are no indications that it is prepared to end its aggression against Ukraine.

Today, we celebrate both Europe Day and the signing of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today. In response to war and destructive nationalism, European states have achieved lasting
peace and prosperity by gradually deepening their cooperation. Today, we celebrate Europe as a beacon of a better future.

With the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) approaching next year, preparations to bring elevate cooperation to a comprehensive strategic level are at the forefront of the meeting between the EU and ASEAN foreign ministers. Slovenia plans to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation this year, thereby strengthening its cooperation with this dynamic region amid geopolitical tensions.

The theme of this year’s World Health Day is Together for health. Stand with science. The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has joined the calls to strengthen scientific collaboration in order to protect the health of people, animals, plants and the planet. It supports efforts to strengthen global health and food security, as well as to integrate health considerations into scientific, economic and development cooperation.

Minister Tanja Fajon attended an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv. The visit, which took place four years after the liberation of Bucha, underscored continued support for and solidarity with Ukraine. The discussions focused primarily on holding Russia accountable for its crimes, assessing the situation on the ground and supporting peace efforts.

At the Foreign Affairs Council, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon emphasised that other crises must not divert attention from Ukraine. This was the third meeting of EU foreign ministers this month, two of which were convened on an emergency basis in response to the escalating situation in the Middle East. Ministers continued their discussion on the EU’s response to the ongoing violence in the region, noting with concern that violence continues to replace diplomacy.

Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine began four years ago and constitutes a gross violation of international law and the UN Charter. “Slovenia condemns this aggression in the strongest and most unequivocal terms and stands by the people of Ukraine. We are committed to achieving a just and lasting peace, advocate respect for international law and demand accountability for the crimes committed,” emphasised Minister Fajon.

On 1 January 2026, Slovenia begins its three-year term as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva. This marks Slovenia’s third term on this key UN body, whose mandate is to promote, strengthen and protect human rights worldwide.

During its two-year term on the Security Council, Slovenia has proven its ability to contribute significantly to tackling the most pressing global issues by taking clear positions, upholding its values, sharing its expertise and maintaining consistency. With active, responsible and principled work, Slovenia has left a recognisable mark on the UN’s central body for the maintenance of international peace and security, further strengthening its own reputation as a credible and reliable partner.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon participated in a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels. The meeting aimed to review the progress on implementing the decisions made at the June NATO Summit in The Hague and discuss key political and security issues, including Russian aggression against Ukraine, Russian hybrid activities and other security challenges.

In November, under Sierra Leone’s presidency, the adoption of the resolution on Gaza resonated most strongly in the Security Council. The resolution welcomes the adoption of a comprehensive plan to end the war and establish a Peace Committee, and authorises the latter to establish an international stabilisation force in Gaza.

Slovenia was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term, securing 176 votes in the UN General Assembly in New York. Angola, Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, India, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, South Africa, Vietnam and the United Kingdom were elected alongside Slovenia for this term.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is paying a visit to Slovenia today and tomorrow at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon. In addition to meetings with senior state representatives, High Commissioner Türk and Minister Fajon participated in a discussion entitled Building Our Common Future, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN.

During the High-level General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the work of the UN Security Council, under the presidency of the Republic of Korea, was particularly intense. The Council devoted a great deal of attention to Gaza and the wider Middle East, held its regular annual debate on peacekeeping operations and met to discuss drone incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace.

On the margins of the Bled Strategic Forum, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Mirjana Špoljarić signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reaffirming and further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Slovenia and the ICRC in the field of humanitarian action and the promotion of international humanitarian law.

In August, Panama held the presidency of the UN Security Council. The situation in the Middle East dominated the Council’s work this month, particularly the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has led to famine being declared. Due to Iran's non-compliance with its obligations under the nuclear agreement, France, Germany and the United Kingdom demanded that UN sanctions be reimposed.

In July, the UN Security Council presidency was held by Pakistan. The Council's work this month was dominated by the situation in the Middle East, particularly the further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and inter-ethnic clashes in Syria, in which Israel also intervened militarily.

The European Commission's sixth annual report on the rule of law for the European Union and its Member States for 2025, published today, confirms that Slovenia has made significant progress across all key areas over the past year. According to the European Commission, the majority of the recommendations from the previous report have already been implemented or are nearing completion.

In June, Guyana assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council. This month's agenda was dominated by the situation in the Middle East dominated, particularly the military escalation that followed Israel's attack on targets in Iran. The Council held an open debate on poverty, underdevelopment and conflict, as well as its regular annual debate on children and armed conflict.