Slovenia Leaves the UN’s Big Tent

In this exclusive, wide-ranging video interview with PassBlue, Slovenian Ambassador Samuel Zbogar to the United Nations reflects on his country’s two-year term as an elected member of the Security Council amid some of the world’s most acute crises and raging wars. In this conversation, held at his office on Dec. 11, Zbogar, 63, delves into the Council’s recent visit to Syria and Lebanon, including the UN peacekeeping mission of UNIFIL; shares Slovenia’s views on talks to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine; and opines on UN leadership, gender equality and the dynamics among big powers.

Zbogar’s assessment of the highs and lows of Security Council diplomacy over the last two years is marked not only by hardening geopolitical divisions but also by mounting pressure on multilateralism. Despite the turmoil, he succeeded in receiving a big compliment from one of the African Council members, who said: “The village is very proud of you.” — DAMILOLA BANJO