On 24 January the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held a special meeting on “Social and economic measures to prevent genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.” The meeting was proposed by a member state and agreed to by the 2022 Bureau of ECOSOC. The half-day informal meeting allowed member states to explore the key role of ECOSOC in addressing the second pillar of the responsibility to protect (R2P), namely the responsibility of the international community to assist states in protecting their populations.

Speakers highlighted the social and economic factors that contribute to both risks of conflict and atrocities and emphasized that atrocity prevention strategies should be holistic by recognizing these factors as root causes.

Opening remarks:

• • • H.E. Lachezara Stoeva, President of the Economic and Social Council
    • H.E. Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
    • Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, on behalf of H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN
    • H.E. Mr. Václav Bálek, President of the Human Rights Council (pre-recorded)
    • H.E. Mr. Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission

Fireside Chat:

• • • Moderator: H.E. Ivan Šimonović, Permanent Representative of Croatia to the UN and Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of R2P
    • Savita Pawnday, Executive Director, Global Centre for the R2P
    • Garry Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Academy of Art and Science
    • Tibi Galis, Executive Director, Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities

Respondents:

• • • Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant-Secretary-General for Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
    • Elizabeth Mary Spear, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, UN Department of Political Affairs

Speakers were followed by interventions from member states, including the UN Group of Friends of R2P, and civil society.