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Latest post: Wed 21 May 2025

Insights on the work of the UN Security Council

Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: Annual Open Debate

Tomorrow (22 May), the Security Council will hold its annual open debate on the protection of civilians (PoC) in armed conflict. Greece, the Council president for May, is convening the meeting as one of its signature events. It will be chaired by Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis. The expected briefers are Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher, UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children US Janti Soeripto.

The concept note (S/2025/301) that Greece prepared for the meeting highlights the changing nature of contemporary armed conflicts, marked by the widespread use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the deployment of new military technologies, cyber operations, and the increasing prevalence of misinformation and disinformation. These developments have compounded the risks to civilians and posed mounting challenges to humanitarian access and the safety of humanitarian, UN, and media personnel.

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