Leonor Zalabata Torres is serving as the President of the United Nations Security Council

Leonor Zalabata Torres is serving as the President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of June 2026, as Colombia holds the council’s rotating monthly presidency.

Her presidency is a major milestone: she is the first Indigenous person (from the Arhuaco Nation of northern Colombia) to represent her country at the UN and to lead the Security Council.

Key Priorities for Colombia’s June 2026 Presidency

Drawing heavily from Colombia’s own history with peace negotiations, transitional justice, and reconciliation, Ambassador Zalabata outlined three primary tracks for the month:

• Sustaining Peace Through Dialogue: Promoting multilateral diplomacy over unilateral force to resolve conflicts, emphasizing that “peace is built collectively and gradually.” 
• A People-Centered Approach: Directly addressing systemic inequality and exclusion as root drivers of armed conflict, alongside pushing for the protection of civilians and nature. 
• Strengthening Multilateralism: Reaffirming member states’ commitments to the UN Charter, human rights, and international humanitarian law amid fracturing global geopolitics. 

Signature Events & Scheduled Debates

Colombia has structured its “Plan of Work” for June around a few high-profile signature events:

• “Peace Is Decided with Women”: A major open debate chaired by Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio. It centers on the “Women, Peace, and Security” (WPS) agenda, pushing for the safe, equitable, and meaningful participation of women in global conflict resolution. 
• Middle East Peace & Mediation: A high-level open debate focused on dialogue and mediation for lasting peace in the Middle East, expected to be chaired by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, with briefings from UN Secretary-General António Guterres. 
• Next Secretary-General Selection: Under Colombia’s leadership, the council is initiating informal contacts and introductory processes for candidates vying to be the next UN Secretary-General. 

Current Context Note: Because Russia and China objected to certain agenda items (specifically regarding the Iran sanctions committee briefing) and Somalia objected to an African Union-related briefer, the council could not officially agree on a “provisional programme of work.” Instead, Ambassador Zalabata and the Colombian delegation successfully bypassed the deadlock by circulating a comprehensive “Plan of Work” published directly via the presidency website to keep the Council moving forward.

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