Asia

Agenda items: Asia

This page contains case studies on each of the agenda items relating to Asia which the Council has considered at its formal meetings. Each case study includes chronological summaries of the discussions and documents considered at the meetings as well as the full text (1946-1999) or summaries (2000-present) of all resolutions, presidential statements or other decisions taken by the Council on that agenda item.

Below the links to the case studies, there is a short description of each agenda item prepared on the basis of the content of the Repertoire. The topics have been listed by the region/area that they primarily relate to and then organized chronologically in the order of its inclusion on the Security Council’s agenda. Under each agenda item, related subsidiary organs of the Security Council featured in the Repertoire are also listed.

Content

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Afghanistan

Letter dated 3 January 1980 from 52 Member States concerning Afghanistan

1975-1980

Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, an urgent meeting of the Security Council to consider the situation in Afghanistan was held in response to the requests by 52 Member States.

The situation relating to Afghanistan

1985-1988 1989-1992

The Security Council took up this agenda item after the signing of the Geneva Accords in 1988 by Pakistan and Afghanistan at the end of the Soviet-Afghan war to discuss ongoing issues related to Afghanistan.
The item was renamed "the situation in Afghanistan" in 1994.

Subsidiary Organs:

United Nations Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan (UNGOMAP)

The situation in Afghanistan

1993-1995 1996-1999 2000-2003 2004-2007 2008-2009 2010-2011 2012-2013 2014-2015 2016-2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

The Security Council has continued its consideration of the political and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, inter alia, to facilitate national reconciliation in Afghanistan, and combat terrorism in Afghanistan and beyond by Al-Qaida and the Taliban.

Subsidiary Organs:

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) concerning Al Qaeda and the Taliban and associated individual entities

Items relating to the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan

The situation relating to Nagorno-Karabakh

1989-1992 1993-1995

In 1992, the Security Council became seized of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno (also known as Nagorny)-Karabakh region further to letters transmitted by the permanent representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia on 9 and 11 May 1992, respectively (S/23894 and S/23896). As tensions escalated, the Council held numerous meetings during the period 1992 to 1993. On 12 May 1994, a ceasefire in the region was brokered by the Russian Federation and maintained in cooperation with the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Letter dated 13 September 2022 from the Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2022/688)

In 2022, Armenia and Azerbaijan addressed letters to the President of the Security Council regarding at the border between the two countries, including the blockade of the Lachin corridor. The Council held meetings in response to the letters.

Cambodia

Complaint by Cambodia

In 1964, Cambodia called for the Security Council to consider alleged acts of aggression by the United States and South Vietnamese forces against the territory and the civilian population of Cambodia along the Cambodian-Vietnamese border.

Telegram dated 3 January 1979 from the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs of Democratic Kampuchea

Following several years of border conflict and a flood of refugees fleeing the Khmer Rouge regime of Democratic Kampuchea (present-day Cambodia), in December 1978, Viet Nam launched an invasion into Kampuchean territory and Democratic Kampuchea referred the situation to the Security Council.

The situation in Cambodia

Starting 1989, the Security Council considered the peace process leading up to the signing of the Agreements on a comprehensive settlement of the Cambodia conflict on 23 October 1991 in Paris and their implementation.

Cambodia/Thailand

Letter dated 6 February 2011 from the Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2011/58)

On 14 February 2011, following armed clashes, the Council met in private to discuss the situation between Cambodia and Thailand and the dispute around the temple site of Preah Vihear.

China

Complaint of bombing by air forces of the territory of China

China alleged that United States forces in Korea had invaded the airspace of the People’s Republic of China on 27 August 1950 and caused material damage.

Complaint of armed invasion of Taiwan (Formosa)

The People’s Republic of China considered the June 1950 mobilization by the United States of military forces in Taiwan, also known as “Formosa”, an act of aggression and brought the matter to the Security Council on 24 August 1950.

Question of hostilities in the area of certain islands off the coast of China

In January 1955, New Zealand and the USSR urged the Security Council to consider the 1955 armed hostilities between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan) off the coast of mainland China, and the question of alleged acts of aggression by the United States against the People’s Republic of China in the area of Taiwan and other areas of China, respectively.

India

The Hyderabad question

The Security Council addressed the issue of a complaint by Hyderabad made in 1948 about “a grave dispute” between Hyderabad and India over Hyderabad’s status whether to accede to India or to become independent.

Complaint by Portugal (Goa)

The Security Council took up this item in response to a complaint by Portugal concerning the full-scale armed attack by Indian armed forces on the Portuguese territories of Goa, Daman and Diu in India.

India/Pakistan

The India-Pakistan question

Under this agenda item, the Security Council addressed the dispute between India and Pakistan over the territories of Jammu and Kashmir.

Situation in the India/Pakistan subcontinent

In December 1971, the Secretary-General brought to the attention of the Security Council his efforts concerning the deteriorating situation along the borders of East Pakistan that had led to armed clashes between India and Pakistan.

Indonesia

The Indonesian question (I)

In 1946, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic brought to th+e attention of the Security Council the situation in Indonesia where military operations involving British troops had taken place.

The Indonesian question (II)

This item relates to the 1947 hostilities between the armed forces of Indonesia and the Netherlands that followed the 1945 declaration of independence of Indonesia.

Korean peninsula

Complaint of aggression upon the Republic of Korea

The Security Council became involved after the invasion of the Republic of Korea by North Korea on 25 June 1950, which sparked the Korean War.

Complaint by the United States (Pueblo incident)

After North Korean patrol boats seized the USS Pueblo and its crewmen on 23 January 1968 (so called “Pueblo incident”), the United States claimed that this act, along with other repeated acts of aggression towards the Republic of Korea, violated the Korean Armistice Agreement of 1953, and called for the urgent consideration of the Security Council.

Letter dated 1 September 1983 from the Acting Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Letter dated 1 September 1983 from the Permanent Observer for the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Letter dated 1 September 1983 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Letter dated 1 September 1983 from the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Letter dated 2 September 1983 from the Acting Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

The Council held an urgent meeting at the request of the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Australia to consider the shooting down on 1 September 1983 of the Korean Air Lines flight 007 which allegedly had strayed into Soviet airspace.

Letter dated 10 February 1988 from the Permanent Observer of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Letter dated 10 February 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

The Security Council considered the situation arising from the 9 November 1987 explosion of Korean Air flight 858 over the Andaman Sea which, according to the Republic of Korea’s investigation, had been caused by bombs planted by North Korean agents.

Letter dated 12 March 1993 from the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Letter dated 19 March 1993 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Note by the Secretary-General (S/25556)

The Security Council considered the rejection by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) of the IAEA inspections in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement concerning its nuclear activities and subsequent announcement that it was withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) on 12 March 1993.

Letters dated 23 September and 3 and 11 October 1996 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council;

Letters dated 23 September 1996 from the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council and 27 September 1996 addressed to the Secretary-General

Following the grounding of a submarine of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 18 September 1996 off the coast of the Republic of Korea, both the Republic of Korea and the DPRK brought the issue to the Security Council.

Letter dated 4 July 2006 from the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Japan requested that the Security Council address the issue of the multiple launches of ballistic missiles by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 5 July 2006. Since then, the Security Council has been addressing the issue of the DPRK’s nuclear activities, including the 9 October 2006 nuclear test, and urging the DPRK to return to the Six-Party Talks.

Letter dated 4 June 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/281) and other relevant letters

On 8 June 2010, the Security Council considered the situation in the Korean peninsula, following the attack of 26 March 2010 which had led to the sinking of the Cheonan, the navy ship of the Republic of Korea, and the loss of 46 lives. The Council received letters from the Republic of Korea (S/2010/281) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (S/2010/294).

Letter dated 18 December 2010 from the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2010/646)

On the basis of the request by the Russian Federation, on 19 December 2010, the Security Council convened a private meeting to consider the situation in the Korean peninsula, in view of the escalating tensions on the ground since the artillery attack by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on the Yeonpyeong Island on 23 November 2010.

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

The situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Further to the report of the Human Rights Council commission of inquiry on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea of April 2014, 10 members of the Council requested to include this item on the agenda of the Council without prejudice to the item on non-proliferation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In spite of the opposition of certain members of the Council to the inclusion of this item on its agenda, the Security Council held its first meeting under this agenda item on 22 December 2014.

Laos

Report by the Secretary-General relating to Laos

The Government of Laos requested the assistance of the United Nations, in particular the dispatch of an emergency force, to halt an aggression along its north-eastern frontier attributed to Vietnamese elements.

Letter dated 3 October 1984 from the Permanent Representative of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

In 1984 a frontier dispute between Laos and Thailand, following the alleged attack and occupation of three Lao villages by Thailand, was brought to the Security Council’s attention.

Malaysia

Complaint by Malaysia

In 1964 Malaysia claimed that an Indonesian aircraft flew over South Malay and dropped a large group of heavily armed para-troopers, in an act of aggression. This occurred in the context of tensions between the two countries over the island of Borneo.

Myanmar

The situation in Myanmar

Nepal

Letter dated 22 November 2006 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council

Under this agenda item, the Security Council has considered the support to the Nepali peace process after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Nepal and Maoist rebels to end the 1996-2006 Nepalese Civil War, including by facilitating creation of a free and fair atmosphere for the election of the Constituent Assembly.

Papua New Guinea

Letter dated 31 March 1998 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Papua New Guinea to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

This agenda item concerns the Security Council’s support for the implementation of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement signed between Papua New Guinea and Bougainvillean parties. This Agreement, ending the nine-year conflict, provided for the autonomy and the referendum on independence of Bougainville, and included a weapons disposal plan supported by the United Nations.

Southeast Asia

The situation in South-East Asia and its implications for international peace and security

In 1979, the Security Council considered the situation in Southeast Asia in view of the demonstration of military power and serious breaches of the peace in the region, following the Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea.

Solomon Islands

Letter dated 10 November 2000 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Solomon Islands to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

The Security Council became involved in connection with the 15 October 2000 Townsville Peace Agreement, concluded with the aim of resolving the ethnic tension between the inhabitants of the islands of Malaita and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands that had culminated into an armed conflict in 1998.

Tajikistan

The situation in Tajikistan and along the Tajik-Afghan border

In view of the Secretary-General’s report in 1993 regarding a large-scale attack by fighters from Afghanistan along the Tajik-Afghan border, the Security Council took up this agenda item. Subsequent to the signing of the 27 July 1994 General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan, the Council assisted the parties’ implementation of the Agreement and the post-conflict peace-building and consolidation phase in Tajikistan.

The situation in Tajikistan

In view of the civil war in Tajikistan involving various factions, the Security Council became involved in monitoring developments and working towards a peaceful resolution at the requests of neighbouring countries and Tajikistan in 1992.

Thailand

The Thailand question

In 1954 Thailand requested the Security Council’s assistance in addressing large-scale fighting near the Thai territory bordering Cambodia and Laos and the danger of foreign incursion, allegedly by Viet-Minh forces.

Timor-Leste

The situation in Timor

In 1975 the Security Council responded to the Indonesian invasion and occupation of the Territory of Portuguese Timor immediately after the unilateral declaration of independence by Timor.

The situation in East Timor

Subsequent to the conclusion of the 5 May 1999 General Agreement between Indonesia and Portugal on the question of East Timor, the Security Council assisted the East Timorese people in a popular consultation which rejected the proposed special autonomy in August 1999 and in subsequent transition to independence by establishing a peacekeeping operation exercising administrative authority.

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