The Group of Friends (GoF) of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) serves as an informal inter-governmental platform for Permanent Missions to the United Nations in both New York and Geneva. The Group aims to promote dialogue and encourage UN member states to advance the effective prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.

Overview of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect

The Group of Friends was established in 2008 in New York and 2015 in Geneva and currently consists of 56 members from across all regions as well as the European Union. The GoF meets regularly at the Ambassador or expert level in both New York and Geneva. The meetings serve as a space for member states to discuss issues related to R2P and atrocity prevention at the UN and often feature high-level UN officials as guest speakers, including the UN Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The GoF aims at identifying opportunities where member states can facilitate effective discussion on R2P-related issues, including conflict prevention, human rights and international justice. The Group also delivers joint statements during UN General Assembly debates, at open debates in the UN Security Council (UNSC), and during sessions at the Human Rights Council. The co-chairs of the GoF hold regular meetings with incoming monthly presidents of the UNSC to review the Council’s  program of work and explore strategies for strengthening atrocity prevention efforts in relevant country situations.

The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect serves as the Secretariat for the Group of Friends in both New York and Geneva.

Group of Friends on R2P on the UN Security Council       

The Global Centre also organizes informal meetings for members of the Group that are serving on the Security Council to discuss situations where populations are facing, or are threatened by, mass atrocity crimes. UN Security Council Ambassadors come together to explore strategic steps to advance practical measures aimed at preventing or halting atrocities.  Such meetings also provide a space to discuss ways to improve the UN Security Council’s working methods.

Group of Friends Resources

New York GoF

The five most recent statements delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends in New York:

1. Statement on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect at the 2024 UN General Assembly Debate on R2P
2. Statement by the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect at the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, 2024
3. Statement by the Group of Friends of the Responsibility to Protect at the UN General Assembly Meeting on the Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization
4. Statement delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of R2P at the UN Security Council Open Debate on the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes
5. Statement delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends of R2P at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Conflict-related Sexual Violence, 2023

Geneva GoF

The five most recent statements delivered on behalf of the Group of Friends in Geneva:

1. Joint statement delivered on behalf of members of the Group of Friends of R2P at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence
2. Joint statement delivered on behalf of members of the Group of Friends of R2P at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
3. Joint Statement by the Group of Friends of R2P during the Interactive Dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on climate change
4. Joint Statement by the Group of Friends of R2P during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
5. Joint Statement by the Group of Friends of R2P during the HRC intersessional meeting to mark the 75th anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide