On Monday, 1 July, 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 78th session. The debate is scheduled to continue on 10 July.

The meeting opened with introductory remarks by the UN Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect, Mô Bleeker. During her remarks the Special Adviser introduced this year’s Secretary-General’s Report on R2P, entitled “Responsibility to Protect: The commitment to prevent and protect populations from atrocity crimes.”

During the first day of the debate 1 regional organization (European Union) and 44 member states spoke on behalf of 100 countries and 1 observer mission. 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, Benelux countries, CANZ countries, the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations and by Mexico on behalf of itself and France.

Text of the statements delivered during the debate is available via the UN Journal: 1 July morning and 1 July afternoon. A UN meeting summary from the first day of the debate is also available.

Full video of the debate is available below:

1 July morning:

1 July afternoon: