Nigeria today, 1^st July 2010, assumed the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for this month. 

Ambassador Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, shall preside over the meetings of the Security Council and, under authority of the Council, represent it in its capacity as an organ of the United Nations during the month of July.  The Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It is expected that the discussions on the programme of work of the Council for July will be concluded today.  Ambassador Ogwu will introduce the programme of work to Member States of the United Nations, which are non-members of the Council and the media on Friday 2^nd July 2010.

                Nigeria intends to put a spotlight on preventive diplomacy as a veritable tool for the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security.  Nigeria has chosen the theme: “Optimizing the Use of Preventive Diplomacy Tools: Prospects and Challenges in Africa” for the Council’s open thematic debate on Friday, July 16, 2010. Member States that are not members of the Security Council, as well as others will be invited to the debate.