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At the Munich Security Conference, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon said that contemporary security challenges cannot be effectively addressed without inclusive leadership and the equitable management of natural resources. “Gender equality and access to water are key factors for stability, conflict prevention and the strengthening of international peace and collective security.”

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon is participating in the 62nd Munich Security Conference, which has brought together more than 60 heads of state and government, 100 foreign and defence ministers and numerous experts and representatives of civil society. The conference remains one of the most important global forums for discussing current foreign policy issues and common security challenges.

In the new episode of the GOVSI podcast, we focused on one of the most demanding and at the same time most significant periods of Slovenian foreign policy – Slovenia’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain condemn the latest Israeli legislation targeting UNRWA, including measures to cut water, electricity and communications to its facilities. Such actions undermine the UN mandate, violate international law and run counter to the findings of the International Court of Justice, while risking grave humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian civilian population and refugees.

Slovenia has completed its second Council presidency, thus concluding its two-year membership of the UN Security Council.

Slovenia today concludes its two-year term on the United Nations Security Council. On this occasion, the Prime Minister issued the following statement.

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.

To mark Human Rights Day, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, in her capacity as President of the Security Council, chaired a discussion on the situation in Afghanistan. "Although human rights are universal, inalienable and indivisible, the situation on the ground is a stark reminder that their realisation remains a distant prospect, particularly for women and girls," the Minister underlined.

On the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of 10 December as International Human Rights Day, with this year’s slogan being Human Rights, Our Daily Essence, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon emphasised: "Slovenia strives to contribute to a world in which everyone can live with dignity and enjoy equal opportunities. In the international community, we systematically support human rights as a universal value".

In 2015, the UN General Assembly, on the initiative of Armenia, passed a resolution establishing 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was one of the first treaties addressing respect for human rights and was adopted one day before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on 10 December 1948. Commemoration and memorialisation efforts not only honour the victims and survivors of genocide, but also serve as effective mechanisms for the prevention of future genocides.

On the first day of her December visit to New York, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon, as President of the Council, chaired a discussion on cooperation between the UN and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). She emphasised that the fundamental principles and commitments on which both organisations operate must apply equally to all, without exceptions or double standards.

In November, as the presidency of the UN Security Council was held by the United Kingdom, Slovenia co-sponsored two briefings, one on the denuclearisation of North Korea and the other on imminent famine in Gaza. State Secretary Marko Štucin participated in a high-level meeting on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine, where he called for the Security Council to take more decisive action on the conflicts..

At the United Nations Climate Conference in Baku, representatives of the countries today, in the early morning hours, reached a new agreement. According to this agreement rich countries, including Slovenia, will provide at least USD 300 billion in climate assistance to developing countries every year from 2025 to 2035.

The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, the so-called Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals mainly with human rights issues, has concluded its session in New York. During its session, which began on 3 October, the Committee again addressed a wide range of thematic issues and human rights situations around the world.

Yesterday, State Secretary Marko Štucin attended high-level meetings on the situation in Gaza and Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council. On behalf of Slovenia, he called for more decisive action by the Security Council and respect for international and human rights law.

From 11 to 22 November, the 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Slovenian delegation will be led by Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy Bojan Kumer, who will participate in the ministerial negotiations to be held in the meeting’s second week.

Minister Tanja Fajon was the first Slovenian representative to visit Somalia, which has been struggling for decades with internal political challenges, a difficult humanitarian situation and the threat from the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. She met with the Somali Prime Minister to discuss the situation in the country and the wider region, as well as the international peace support operations that are essential to building stability in Somalia.

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon met representatives of the African Union and the United Nations in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, and visited children at the Salesian Don Bosco Children centre.

In October, under the Swiss presidency of the UN Security Council, discussions were focused on Africa, the Middle East, Ukraine and Haiti. Two briefings were convened at Slovenia's request, one together with Algeria on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and another with the US on Ukraine. State Secretary Melita Gabrič took part in the open debate on women, peace and security.

Ambassador Iztok Mirošič hosted a working dinner at the residence for Ambassadors of the elected and incoming non-permanent members of the UN Security Council with Ambassador Michele Sison, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs.