United Nations: UN Secretary-General pushes for stronger implementation of R2P

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres, on June 25 2025, addressed the General Assembly, warning that the world is missing to keep civilians safe from mass atrocity crimes. Marking two decades since the adoption of the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle, Guterres emphasised the urgent need for a renewed global commitment to this “moral imperative” and “unfulfilled promise”. Especially because, as the Secretary-General highlighted, there is an alarming increase in armed conflicts worldwide, surpassing unprecedented levels since the end of World War II.

Furthermore, Guterres presented his latest report on R2P, reflecting on progress and persistent challenges over the past 20 years. The report, based on a global survey, reveals that the principle still has a vast support among Member States and communities affected by violence. However, the Secretary-General stressed the work must start locally, through inclusive leadership, protection of human rights, and the rule of law, supported by multilateral cooperation and principled diplomacy on a global scale.

The R2P principle, adopted by consensus at the 2005 World Summit, is built on three foundations: the State’s responsibility to protect its people, the international community’s role in aiding States, and the commitment to take collective action when States are unsuccessful in protecting their people. Despite its influence on international responses to atrocity crimes, the gap between the doctrine and what happens in practice remains a central issue and worry. Guterres urged the international community to close this gap, calling for “resolve, unity, and the courage to act” in fulfilling the promise of R2P.