António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) at the…

"Twenty years ago, leaders gathered at the 2005 World Summit and committed to protect
populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
In doing so, they recognized that sovereignty carries not only rights, but responsibilities -- first
and foremost, the duty of each State to protect its own people.
They underlined the duty of the international community to support States in this effort, and they
highlighted the need for collective, timely and decisive action in line with the UN Charter, when
national authorities manifestly fail to do so.
Today, we mark the 20 th anniversary of the Responsibility to Protect at a time of profound global
turbulence.
We are witnessing the highest number of armed conflicts since the end of the Second World War.
These are marked by rising identity-based violence, widespread violations of international
humanitarian law and human rights law, and deepening impunity.
Conflicts are becoming more protracted, more complex, and interconnected.
Emerging threats such as the weaponization of new technologies and the proliferation of
advanced weaponry require a constant adaptation of our efforts to prevent the commission of
atrocity crimes and to protect populations.
In addition, too often, early warnings go unheeded, and alleged evidence of crimes committed by
States and non-State actors are met with denial, indifference, or repression.
Responses are often too little, too late, inconsistent or undermined by double standards. Civilians
are paying the highest price.
Credibility as the guardian of peace and security, development, and human rights requires
consistency with the UN Charter.
On this anniversary, we must recognize that the Responsibility to Protect is more than a principle
– it is a moral imperative, rooted in our shared humanity and the UN Charter.
Excellencies,

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In that spirit, I share today the seventeenth report of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility
to Protect.
It reflects two decades of efforts, calls for revitalized action, and includes insights from a survey
conducted in preparation for this report.
We found that the principle holds strong support among Member States.
Communities affected by violence see it as offering a ray of hope. But they also call for effective
implementation at all levels.
The report highlights efforts realized through national prevention mechanisms of a regional
nature – from the African Union to ASEAN, the OSCE and the Organization of American States;
and multilateral initiatives such as the Group of Friends of R2P, the ACT Code of Conduct, and
the call for veto restraint in the face of mass atrocities.
It shows that early diplomacy, early warning, and institutional innovation to prevent and respond
to atrocity crimes can be effective.
It also underscores the need to mainstream atrocity prevention across the United Nations system
-- from humanitarian action to peacekeeping to human rights.
And it calls for integrating early warning, supporting national prevention mechanisms, and
embedding atrocity prevention in the broader agendas of sustaining peace, human rights, and the
2030 Agenda.
Excellencies,
No society is immune from the risk of atrocity crimes.
Prevention must begin at home – with leadership that protects rights, embraces diversity, and
upholds the rule of law.
And it must be supported globally -- through multilateral cooperation, principled diplomacy, and
early and decisive action to effectively protect populations.
Two decades on, the Responsibility to Protect remains both an urgent necessity, a moral
imperative and an unfulfilled promise.
Let us keep the promise, deepen our commitment, strengthen our cooperation, and ensure that
atrocity prevention and protecting populations becomes a permanent and universal practice.
Let us move forward with resolve, unity, and the courage to act.
Thank you."