On Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, the United Nations Security Council held a debate focused on how best to settle disputes between States peacefully and strengthen preventive diplomacy. The discussion centered on the more consistent use of the Security Council’s Chapter VI powers under the UN Charter, which empower the Council to call on disputing parties to resolve conflicts peacefully before they threaten international peace and security.

Ambassadors explored themes such as effective early warning systems, diplomacy, mediation to build trust, and leveraging regional and subregional organizations for locally owned conflict resolution. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of resolution 2788 (2025), which requested the Secretary-General to provide recommendations to further strengthen mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes one year after its adoption.

The broader aim of the debate was to generate practical recommendations to enhance the Council’s preventive role and support peaceful pathways in potentially destabilizing situations. Council members met around the iconic horseshoe table to identify best practices and gaps in UN Charter-based dispute mechanisms and to discuss how to better support Member States through mediation and technical advice.

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