S/2020/657 Security Council

I have the honour to inform you that the Security Council has concluded the voting procedure on the draft resolution contained in document S/2020/654, which was submitted by Belgium and Germany in connection with the agenda item “The situation in the Middle East”. The voting was carried out in accordance with the procedure set out in the letter dated 27 March 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to the Permanent Representatives of the members of the Security Council (S/2020/253), which was agreed upon in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The Director of the Security Council Affairs Division has received letters from all 15 members of the Security Council indicating their national position on the draft resolution. The result of the vote is as follows: In favour: Belgium, Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Tunisia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America and Viet Nam. Against: China and the Russian Federation. Abstaining: None. The draft resolution received 13 votes in favour, two against (China and the Russian Federation), and no abstentions. The draft resolution has not been adopted, owing to the negative vote of permanent members of the Security Council.