Strengthening Global Protection: Mr. Hilale’s Meeting with UN Secretary-General on R2P

Saturday 01 March 2025 - 12:05

In New York, Moroccan Ambassador to the UN Omar Hilale met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, accompanied by his counterparts from Guatemala and Luxembourg, co-chairs of the UN Friends of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) Group. The meeting focused on the R2P agenda and the upcoming commemoration of its 20th anniversary since its adoption at the 2005 World Summit, a crucial milestone for protecting against mass atrocities.

Ambassador Hilale expressed the group's intent to organize a high-level event during the 80th session of the UN General Assembly to mark this historic anniversary. The event would provide a platform for member states and stakeholders to address early warning alerts, fulfill legal commitments regarding civilian protection, foster social cohesion, and enhance inclusion while emphasizing the protection of children, youth, and women in preventing atrocities and combating intolerance and hate speech.

Additionally, Hilale informed Guterres of Morocco’s hosting of Africa's first regional meeting on R2P, to be organized in partnership with the UN Special Adviser on R2P. This meeting, set to take place in Rabat, will be followed by similar events in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The outcomes of these meetings will contribute to a comprehensive document marking the 20th anniversary of R2P's adoption.

The African regional meeting in Morocco underscores the country's central role within the UN, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, in advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms. Guterres praised this initiative, which promotes national ownership of the Responsibility to Protect and directed his office to provide necessary support.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to discuss ways to broaden international support for the R2P agenda and strengthen its implementation. Key priorities, including national ownership, prevention at national and global levels, local actor engagement, and a regional approach, remain essential in addressing atrocity risks and ensuring compliance with relevant UN mandates and programs, particularly those related to children, youth, peace, security, and sustainable development.