Fifth Annual Meeting of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points

The full meeting summary is available: Fifth Meeting of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points

On June 23 and 24, 2015, the Stanley Center and the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect joined co-hosts Spain and Chile in convening the fifth annual meeting of the Global Network of R2P Focal Points in Madrid, Spain. The meeting brought together senior government officials from more than 50 countries as well as representatives from the European Union and United Nations, including the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Dr. Jennifer Welsh.

During the two-day meeting, delegates participated in a range of plenary sessions on the theme of “10 Years of the Responsibility to Protect: Responding to New Challenges and Threats to Vulnerable Communities,” contributing to an exchange of views that strengthened collective understanding of the role of R2P Focal Points in preventing mass atrocity crimes. Focal Points assessed their current national capacities to prevent atrocities both domestically and globally and discussed how to strategically respond to emerging threats, such as nonstate actors who perpetrate atrocity crimes. They also reflected on opportunities to deepen cooperation among the growing number of network members.

This meeting summary provides an overview of the key issues discussed and the practical recommendations for R2P Focal Points to carry forward to respond to emerging challenges, protect civilians, and prevent atrocity violence.