Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Deferred
Prioritise co-penholding with Elected UN Security Council Members for country and thematic files.
Recommendation
The Government should prioritise co-penholding with at least one Elected Member to the United Nations Security Council per country and thematic file, where appropriate, and where Elected Members are willing and able to contribute meaningfully. This would also provide a practical 48 and implementable reform mechanism within the United Nations Security Council in a manner beneficial to the UK’s interests. The Government should adopt co-penholding as a rule for files where the UK’s foreign policy serves as a barrier to its ability to be an actor in promoting global peace and security efforts at the United Nations Security Council. (Recommendation, Paragraph 73)
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the challenges of securing UN funding for AU Peace Support Operations in Somalia (AUSSOM) and highlights the UK's £16.5 million commitment to AUSSOM and efforts to lobby other international partners for financial pledges. It does not address the recommendation to prioritise co-penholding with Elected Members of the UN Security Council.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
50. In May 2025, the UN Security Council could not reach consensus in applying an adapted version of resolution 2719 (2023), a funding model intended, on a case-by-case basis, to allow AU Peace Support Operations to access up to 75% of UN funding, to AUSSOM due to disagreements on the readiness and suitability of implementation in the Mission’s context. In the context of a challenging financial environment, the establishment of a new ‘joint fund’ mechanism would likely encounter similar challenges, including donor fatigue and tight budgets. 51. HMG is proactively working with international partners to address the question of voluntary funding for relevant UN and AU-led efforts in Somalia. During UN General Assembly High-Level Week in September 2025, the UK co-hosted a side event alongside the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the AU, which focused on funding the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). At this event, the UK announced our own commitment of £16.5 million to AUSSOM. We hope that through this action, alongside our efforts to lobby international partners to also make their own financial pledges, we can build towards a sustainable and predictable longer-term funding solution.