The United Nations (UN) appointed Morocco, Croatia, and Guatemala on Wednesday, as co-chairs of the “Group of Friends on the Responsibility to Protect” for 2024-2026.
Established in 2008 in New York and 2015 in Geneva, the Group of Friends is an informal inter-governmental platform for Permanent Missions to the United Nations in both New York and Geneva. The Group’s purpose is to promote dialogue and encourage UN member-states to advance the effective prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
It currently consists of 56 members from across all regions as well as the European Union and meets regularly at the Ambassador or expert level to discuss issues related to UN member-states’ “responsibility to protect.”
The Group of Friends drafts and proposes pertinent resolutions to the UN General Assembly to ensure that Security Council decisions continue to prioritize the Responsibility to Protect.
The group also works with the UN Secretary-General and other officials to enhance the implementation of the plan and prioritize atrocity prevention while fostering tolerance and social cohesion.
The UN’s Responsibility to Protect agenda also places significant value on collaboration with state and civil society partners, gathering specific risk data, exchanging best practices, and adhering to UN mandates and initiatives concerning youth, children, peace, security, and sustainable development. These activities are regularly included in the Secretary-General’s annual reports.
The Responsibility to Protect populations from genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing emerged as an important international norm after it was unanimously adopted in 2005 at the UN World Summit, the largest gathering of heads of state and government in history.
Morocco, along with its new co-chairs Croatia and Guatemala, is committed to implementing the Group’s agenda.