Security Council weighs benefits, drawbacks of pandemic-era innovations

UNITED NATIONS - Members of the Security Council grappled with the efficacy of maintaining international peace and security through meetings held via video-teleconference (VTC), and with other new technologies, as the 15-member organ held an open debate on Wednesday to consider the working methods that have defined its deliberations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Focusing on the theme "Agility and innovation: Lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic," speakers weighed the benefits and drawbacks of the innovations adopted over the past extraordinary 15 months, since the Council first began working remotely in March 2020.

Among other things, they reflected on the use of informal virtual sessions and the temporary written voting procedure first outlined in a letter from the representative of China in his capacity as Council President for that month.