📅 23 – 27 May 2022
Virtual
In 1999, the UN Security Council added the protection of civilians in armed conflict (PoC) to its agenda, thereby formally recognizing PoC as a matter of international peace and security. Resolution 1265 – the Council’s first resolution on PoC – set the parameters of what remains the building blocks of the PoC agenda. Since then, the annual Open Debate of the Security Council on this issue has been the opportunity for the UN membership to take stock of the state of PoC, assess tools available to enhance the PoC on the ground, and adopt several thematic PoC resolutions.
Since 2018, Switzerland, CIVIC/International Rescue Committee, and OCHA have been coordinating a series of side events around the Security Council Open Debate and the release of the Secretary-General’s annual PoC report, i.e. “PoC week.” These side events involve the Member States, UN agencies, NGOs, as well as people directly affected. Over the years, PoC week has imposed itself as the time when the UN Membership, UN agencies, and civil society organizations come together to reflect on key PoC trends, share good practices, build consensus on policy issues, and crystalize normative developments.
The fifth edition of PoC week will take place from 23 to 27 May 2022. The Security Council Open Debate will be held on 25 May and side events take place from 23 May to 27 May. All relevant information pertaining to PoC week 2022 can be found on this page.