Security Council Briefing — 18 February 2026
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process briefed the Security Council on the latest developments in Gaza, the West Bank, and the broader regional situation.
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Key Focus Areas
Middle East Peace Process
UNSCO supports a negotiated two-state solution — Israel and Palestine — living side by side in peace and security. The office works to advance a just and lasting peace in accordance with relevant UN resolutions.
Humanitarian Coordination
UNSCO coordinates United Nations humanitarian and development activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, ensuring a unified UN response to the needs of the Palestinian people.
Security & Stability
UNSCO engages with all parties to promote security and stability across the region, working closely with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities and regional partners to de-escalate tensions.
Institution Building
UNSCO supports Palestinian institution-building efforts and the development of governance structures capable of sustaining an independent, viable, and democratic Palestinian state.
Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process
UNSCO was established in 1994 following the Oslo Accords. The office is headed by the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, who is the Secretary-General's personal representative to the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority.
The Special Coordinator facilitates the political process and coordinates humanitarian and development activities of United Nations entities in the occupied Palestinian territory, and supports the Palestinian Authority's institution-building efforts toward a future Palestinian state.
Leadership
Sigrid Kaag
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process
Appointed January 2025
Ms. Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands serves as the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process ad interim and Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. She previously served as Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, and as an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Ramiz Alakbarov
UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process
Appointed June 2025
Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan serves as UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory. He previously served as UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia.
UNSCO Timeline
Key milestones in the Middle East peace process and the United Nations' engagement in the region.
Oslo Accords Signed
The Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles is signed in Washington, D.C., laying the groundwork for a peace process and future Palestinian self-governance.
UNSCO Established
The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) is established following the Oslo Accords, with headquarters in Jerusalem.
Oslo II & Expansion of PA
Oslo II (Interim Agreement) extends Palestinian Authority governance to additional West Bank cities. UNSCO coordinates UN support for Palestinian institution-building.
Camp David Summit
President Clinton, PM Barak, and Chairman Arafat meet at Camp David. Negotiations on permanent status issues including Jerusalem and refugees do not produce final agreement.
Quartet & Road Map
The Middle East Quartet (UN, US, EU, Russia) is formally established. UNSCO becomes the UN focal point for Quartet coordination and roadmap implementation.
Annapolis Conference
International conference in Annapolis aims to re-launch Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. UNSCO supports international engagement in support of a two-state solution.
Palestine: UN Non-Member Observer State
The UN General Assembly votes to accord Palestine 'non-member observer State' status (resolution 67/19), a significant step toward international recognition.
UNSCR 2334
The Security Council adopts resolution 2334, reaffirming that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, have no legal validity.
Abraham Accords
Normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco signal shifting regional dynamics while the Israeli-Palestinian peace process remains stalled.
Escalation & Humanitarian Crisis
Following the October 2023 attacks, major hostilities in Gaza result in unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. UNSCO intensifies coordination of humanitarian response and ceasefire advocacy.
Ceasefire Efforts & Reconstruction
UNSCO leads UN coordination on ceasefire monitoring, hostage negotiations, and planning for post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza, while advocating for a pathway to the two-state solution.
Middle East Peace Process
UNSCO's mandate encompasses the full spectrum of political, humanitarian, and developmental UN engagement in support of a just, lasting peace in the Middle East.
UNTSO
United Nations Truce Supervision Organization — the world's oldest active UN peacekeeping mission, established in 1948.
World's First UN Peacekeeping Mission
UNTSO was established by Security Council resolution 50 (1948) to supervise the truce called by the Council in Palestine. It has operated continuously for over 75 years, the longest-running UN peace mission in history.
Mandate & Functions
- Supervise and monitor ceasefire lines and armistice agreements in the Middle East
- Observe and report on compliance with ceasefire and armistice agreements
- Provide military observers to UNDOF (Golan Heights) and UNIFIL (Lebanon)
- Support the Secretary-General's good offices in the region
- Maintain the oldest continuous UN military presence in the Middle East
Areas of Operation
UNTSO & UNSCO Coordination
UNTSO operates in close coordination with UNSCO to ensure coherent UN engagement across the political, humanitarian, and security dimensions of the Middle East peace process. The Special Coordinator liaises regularly with UNTSO's Chief of Staff to align monitoring activities with broader UN objectives, including ceasefire compliance, incident reporting, and support for Security Council deliberations.
Reports & Documents
Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
This report covers developments in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza and the West Bank, and outlines the humanitarian situation and political dynamics.
Report on UNSCR 2334: Israeli Settlement Activity in the occupied Palestinian territory
Report on implementation of Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016), covering Israeli settlement expansion, demolitions and displacement.
Ad Hoc Liaison Committee — Report on the Palestinian Socioeconomic Situation
Comprehensive assessment of the socioeconomic situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, prepared for the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting.
Fragile Fiscal Foundations: Financial Risks to the Palestinian Authority
Analysis of the Palestinian Authority's fiscal situation and the risks posed to Palestinian institution-building efforts.
@UNSCO_MEPP on X (Twitter)
UNSCO Special Coordinator briefed the Security Council today on the situation in #Gaza and the #WestBank. The humanitarian crisis demands immediate action. #MEPP #Palestine
Deputy SC Alakbarov: "We continue to call for the protection of all civilians, unimpeded humanitarian access, and a sustainable political path toward a two-state solution." #MiddleEast
UNSCO urges all parties to recommit to international law and the principles underpinning the two-state solution. A negotiated solution remains the only path to lasting peace. #MEPP
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