On Monday, 26 June, and Friday, 30 June, the UN General Assembly held a plenary meeting on “The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity” as part of the formal agenda of its 77th session.

The meeting opened with introductory remarks by the UN Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect, George Okoth-Obbo. During his remarks the Special Adviser introduced this year’s Secretary-General’s Report on R2P, entitled “Development and the Responsibility to Protect: Recognizing and Addressing Embedded Risks and Drivers of Atrocity Crimes.”

During the two days of the debate 1 regional organization (European Union), 54 member states, and 1 observer mission spoke on behalf of 102 countries and 2 observer missions. During the debate the Permanent Representative of Croatia spoke on behalf of the Group of Friends of R2P. Joint statements were also delivered on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic States, the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations, and by France on behalf of itself and Mexico.

Text of the statements delivered during the debate is available via the UN Journal: 26 June morning, 26 June afternoon, and 30 June afternoon. A UN meeting summary from the first day of the debate is also available.

Full video of the debate is available below:

26 June morning session:

26 June afternoon session:

30 June afternoon session: