Greece assumes the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council as of October 1, beginning its second and final month in the role during its 2025-26 term as an elected member.
Greece previously held the presidency in May 2025, while its two-year term on the 15-member Security Council ends on December 31. Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Aglaia Balta, will preside over the council’s work during October. The UN’s own schedule confirms Greece as the council’s October president.
The presidency comes as the council faces several major international crises, deep divisions among its permanent members and repeated difficulties in reaching common responses to conflicts.
The rotating presidency does not give Greece unilateral control over the council’s decisions or policies. Instead, the president chairs meetings and closed consultations, represents the council and manages its programme of work and day-to-day operations under the authority of all 15 members.
Ukraine remains a major focus
The war in Ukraine remains among the most pressing issues on the council’s agenda.
At a high-level Security Council meeting on September 23, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peace building Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo warned that the war had entered a “dangerous new phase”, with intensifying attacks, rising civilian casualties and increasing risks of regional spillover.
UN figures show that 2,222 civilians died and 13,058 suffered injuries in Ukraine during the first eight months of 2026. The combined figure exceeded the number of civilian casualties recorded throughout 2025.
The UN has also warned about growing risks to energy infrastructure ahead of winter, cross-border incidents and military activity around nuclear facilities.
Gaza and the Middle East
The Middle East will also remain a major item for the council.
In Gaza, the UN continues to describe the ceasefire as fragile, while Israeli strikes, humanitarian difficulties and the economic crisis continue to affect the territory.
The council also faces the implementation of Resolution 2803 concerning transitional arrangements and the recovery of Gaza.
In the West Bank, the UN has reported increased violence, settlement expansion, displacement and a severe fiscal crisis affecting the Palestinian Authority.
Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
The crisis surrounding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz could also demand particular attention during Greece’s presidency.
On September 30, Tehran confirmed that Qatar had delivered the US response to Iran’s latest proposal for de-escalation, with the reopening of the Strait and restoration of normal shipping among the issues under discussion.
The negotiations remain difficult, while the Security Council also faces questions surrounding sanctions reinstated in 2025 and overseen by the council’s 1737 Committee.
The combination of Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions, regional security and freedom of navigation makes the issue particularly complex for the council.
Sudan and Haiti remain on the agenda
Other conflicts will continue to require Security Council attention.
In Sudan, fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues, alongside an increase in drone attacks.
In Haiti, armed violence has displaced almost 1.5 million people. On September 29, the Security Council renewed for six months the mandate of the international force supporting efforts against armed gangs, ahead of elections scheduled for December.
UN secretary-general race adds further significance
October could also carry particular institutional significance because of the selection process for the next UN secretary-general.
The Security Council is central to the process. In the fourth informal straw poll on September 29, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan reportedly received 10 votes indicating “encouragement”, three indicating “discouragement” and two members expressing “no opinion”.
The process continues, with no final consensus yet established.
Under Article 97 of the UN Charter, the General Assembly appoints the secretary-general following a recommendation from the Security Council. Any recommendation therefore requires agreement within the council and cannot proceed if a permanent member blocks it with a veto.
If the council reaches agreement during October, the recommendation could therefore emerge while Greece holds the presidency.
A demanding final month
Greece’s final month as Security Council president comes at a time when the body faces wars and international crises with consequences well beyond their immediate regions.
For Greek diplomacy, the presidency will centre on managing the council’s procedures, facilitating communication among its 15 members and keeping its work functioning despite continuing geopolitical divisions.
