Please refer to the attached file.
Protection of Civilians Week 2025
- Start date:
- End date:
Location
New York, United States of America
Now in its eighth edition, Protection of Civilians (PoC) Week 2025 brings together Member States, UN agencies, NGOs, and affected communities to share ideas and advance solutions to better protect civilians in armed conflict.
Despite clear protections under international humanitarian and human rights law, civilians continue to suffer the brunt of conflict – facing targeted attacks, forced displacement, starvation, and restrictions on access to aid. The increasing disregard for these laws, and their selective or politicized application, is eroding the protective framework and fueling a culture of impunity. Reversing this trend requires renewed respect for international law, concrete accountability for violations, and strong leadership.
Coordinated by Switzerland, Center for Civilians in Conflict, the International Rescue Committee and OCHA, PoC Week will feature a series of engaging in-person and hybrid side events, alongside the annual Security Council Open Debate on Protection of Civilians on 22 May.
This year’s theme – "Tools to Further the Protection of Civilians” – focuses on practical mechanisms, legal and policy tools, practices, and collaborative approaches that can enhance civilian protection and promote compliance with international obligations.
Join the conversation and explore the concept notes below. Please note that some events are in person and/or by invitation only. For events requiring registration, details are provided below and in the calendar.
2025 NGO Statement Ahead of the Open Debate on Protection of Civilians
Calendar of Events
Monday, May 19, 2025
Defending civilians: Strengthening political commitment to protection norms
8:15 – 10:00am EDT
International Peace Institute
On invitation only.
Civilians increasingly suffer from armed conflict and violations of protection norms, underscoring the urgent need for political commitment, reinforced respect for international law, and accountability. Initiatives such as Protection of Civilians Week and the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to international humanitarian law exemplify efforts to reverse this trend. The Permanent Missions of Switzerland, Greece, Uruguay, Kuwait, and Viet Nam, along with the International Peace Institute and the International Committee of the Red Cross, will convene an Ambassadorial-level discussion to strengthen global commitments to protection norms.
Leveraging new technologies for the protection of healthcare: Advancing prevention and accountability
10:30am – 12:00pm EDT
Mission of Poland
RSVP here until 15 May.
The event will sound the alarm on the severity, frequency, typology, and impact of attacks on healthcare in conflict. It will serve as a platform to discuss how technology can be harnessed responsibly to better protect healthcare systems and workers, prevent violence, and reinforce accountability mechanisms at local, national, and international levels. It will also examine potential risks, such as surveillance abuses, misinformation, or digital exclusion, and new and emerging forms of attacks.
Protection in future peace operations: Looking to the Secretary-General's review
1:00 – 2:30pm EDT
Mission of Austria
RSVP here.
Given the centrality of protection to the work of the United Nations, as articulated in the Secretary-General’s Agenda for Protection, this event will seek to bring Member States, UN officials, and peace operation experts together to explore how different types of peace operations, including UN special political missions, peacekeeping operations, and regionally led peace support operations, can help advance the protection of civilians in diverse ways and generate ideas for consideration in the Secretary-General’s review on the future of all forms of UN peace operations.
Preserving information integrity in conflict settings: Action-oriented responses from local communities, peacekeeping and humanitarian actors
3:00 - 4:45pm EDT
Mission of Germany
RSVP here until 15 May.
Misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech (MDH) pose a direct threat to civilians in armed conflict and humanitarian crises, undermining peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and access to life-saving information. In response, Member States, the UN system, private sector, and civil society must take decisive steps and establish partnerships to safeguard information integrity. This event will explore current research on MDH impacts and highlight innovative efforts to strengthen safeguards, promote accountability, and protect civilians.
Civilian-centred approaches and PoC in a changing world: Moving from policy to practice
5:00 – 6:30pm EDT
Mission of the Netherlands
RSVP here until 16 May.
Civilians and civil society organizations are taking action to protect one another, promote safety, and encourage restraint by armed actors, contributing to protection, policy development, and accountability. This session will examine self-protection strategies across contexts and explore how to move from policy recognition to meaningful integration, support, and resourcing for unarmed, civilian-centred protection. Speakers will share insights on the value, impact, and challenges of local protection efforts, and discuss how to foster strategic, community-centred protection partnerships.
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Breaking down barriers: Women and girls with disabilities in conflict and emergencies
8:30 – 10:00am EDT
Mission of Poland
RSVP here until 16 May
This side event will highlight the heightened risks and intersecting discrimination faced by women and girls with disabilities in conflict and humanitarian settings. It will reflect on progress since key international commitments, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN Security Council Resolution 2475 (2019), and the Beijing Declaration, while identifying remaining gaps. Expert insights and personal testimonies will highlight good practices and generate actionable recommendations. The event will also amplify the voices and leadership of women and girls with disabilities to shape future policy and practice.
Climate change, peace operations and the protection of civilians: The impact of climate change on peace operations' ability to fulfil protection of civilians tasks
10:30am – 12:00pm EDT
Mission of Denmark
RSVP here.
This discussion will examine how climate change and environmental pressures shape protection risks in UN peacekeeping contexts and affect missions’ ability to implement PoC mandates. Drawing on research from Central African Republic, Abyei, and South Sudan, speakers will explore how peace operations can support national authorities in addressing these challenges. A panel with insights from the UN Mission in South Sudan, UN Interim Security Force for Abyei, and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic will share operational experiences. The event aims to identify concrete, climate-sensitive strategies to enhance preparation, adaptation, and protection outcomes.
Implementing tools to protect children affected by armed conflict
1:15 – 2:45pm EDT
UNHQ, CR 8
RSVP here.
This side event will be a dynamic discussion highlighting efforts to implement tools and frameworks designed to shield children from the devastating consequences of armed conflict, including the Safe Schools Declaration and the Vancouver and Paris Principles. It addresses a sharp rise in grave violations against children, including a 60 per cent increase in attacks on schools and the recruitment of more than 38,500 children in recent years. The event will showcase practical tools and good practices to prevent grave violations, protect education, and uphold international law.
From practice to policy: Unpacking effective humanitarian arrangements to protect civilians
3:00 – 4:30pm EDT
Mission of Finland
On invitation only.
In increasingly constrained environments, humanitarian arrangements and other practical approaches can help enhance civilian protection. Drawing on real-world examples from contexts like Syria, Sudan, and Ukraine and insights from the recent Chatham House report “Enhancing the Security of Civilians” by Emanuela Gillard, the discussion will explore humanitarian arrangements and practical approaches to help inform humanitarian action and efforts to support the protection of civilians.
Do no (H)arm? - The future of civilian protection amid an increasing global arms race
5:00 – 6:30pm EDT
Mission of Mexico
RSVP here.
Escalating global armament increases the risk of violent conflicts worldwide and the risk of harm to civilians. This roundtable will bring together different stakeholders to examine legal gaps, the role of State and non-state actors, existing tools, and innovative solutions to enhance accountability, transparency, and arms control implementation, and to strengthen the protection of civilians.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Leading by example: How african defence forces and national authorities are reducing civilian harm – Sharing tools, policies and good practice from shifting battlefields
8:00 – 10:00am EDT
By invitation only.
National authorities and security forces across the African continent use various tools to protect civilians and to prevent and mitigate civilian harm, despite complex operational environments. In this closed-door, peer-to-peer discussion, military, security, and government officials will exchange on existing and potential policies, practices, and procedures for civilian protection, and explore innovative approaches, good practice, and lessons learned.
Where protection of civilians and women, peace and security meet
10:30am – 12:00pm EDT
UNHQ, CR 11 TBC
RSVP here.
Sexual violence, use of explosive weapons in populated spaces, attacks on critical infrastructure, landmines and explosive remnants of war, forced displacement, interference with medical care: all harm women, girls, men and boys in different ways. This event will explore the gendered dimensions of civilian harm and PoC, and how gender perspective and promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda enhance PoC and international humanitarian law compliance, inviting sharing of emerging good practices.
Fact or fiction on conflict & hunger: Exploring evidence based drivers, impacts and tools
1:15 – 2:30pm EDT
UNHQ, CR 8
RSVP here.
Conflict-driven hunger remains a global concern, with urgent humanitarian and protection impacts as well as long-term consequences. Despite repeated calls to spare agrifood systems and allow relief, these appeals often go unheeded. Clear policy frameworks rooted in international humanitarian law exist, but must be decisively implemented. This event will provide an interactive space to explore tools, strategies, and practices to better protect civilians from conflict-induced hunger.
Breaking barriers: Advancing healthcare access and protection for all survivors of sexual violence
3:00 – 4:30pm EDT
Mission of Norway
RSVP here.
Sexual violence remains one of the gravest threats to civilians in armed conflict, underscoring why PoC must stay central to the Security Council’s work. Ensuring survivor-centred, accessible healthcare for all survivors of sexual violence is especially urgent amid shrinking humanitarian funding. This event calls for an intersectional, gender-competent approach to health interventions. It will highlight how PoC strategies can support better outcomes for survivors – especially men and boys facing intersecting discrimination. The event will also showcase guidance and good practices developed by Member States.
Strengthening protection of civilians through advocacy, Humanitarian diplomacy, and local leadership
4:45 – 6:15pm EDT
Mission of Canada
RSVP here.
This event explores how advocacy, humanitarian diplomacy, and local leadership can strengthen civilian protection amid rising global conflict and humanitarian needs. It emphasizes the vital role of community-led action in addressing systemic international humanitarian law violations and shrinking civic space. The discussion highlights integrated strategies combining legal frameworks, moral leadership, and field-based approaches. Panelists will share insights from conflict zones and outline ways to enhance accountability and deterrence. The session aims to build commitments supporting locally led protection initiatives and long-term peace efforts.
Profiles in protection
6:30-8:30pm EDT
German House
On invitation only
The UN Department of Peace Operations, the Permanent Missions of Germany, Senegal, Tunisia, and Uruguay, and the International Peace Institute will convene an exhibition and reception to launch the "Profiles in Protection" campaign. The campaign tells remarkable stories of individuals who have given meaning to the PoC mandate and agenda – often at great risk to themselves – and will honour their dedication, determination, and resilience in making the "impossible mandate" possible.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Protecting civilians from the humanitarian consequences of the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA)
8:15 – 9:45am EDT
Mission of Ireland
RSVP here.
This side-event will seek to highlight the widespread harm and address the direct and reverberating effects of EWIPA on civilians, including children. Speakers will identify ways in which endorsing and implementing the Political Declaration on Strengthening the PoC from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from EWIPA (2022) is a vital tool for strengthening the protection of civilians, and compliance with international humanitarian law, and highlighting concrete actions that States can take in preparation for the EWIPA San Jose Conference 2025.
From loss to closure: Strengthening tools to protect missing persons and promote the dignified treatment and return of human remains in armed conflict
1:15 – 2:40pm EDT
Mission of Kuwait
RSVP here.
This event will examine the issue of missing persons in armed conflict, highlighting legal obligations, national strategies, and best practices to prevent persons from going missing, clarify their fate, ensure the return of human remains, and support affected families, while promoting knowledge exchange among Member States, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2474 (2019).
PoC Week social gathering: On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration
6:00 – 8:00pm
Mission of Norway
On invitation only.
Friday, May 23, 2025
Tools of protection: Upholding the object and purpose of the international humanitarian law protecting civilian infrastructure and hospitals
8:30 – 10:00am EDT
Mission of Spain
RSVP here before 21 May.
The event will highlight the importance of upholding the humanitarian purpose of international humanitarian law, focusing on the general and specific protections that apply to civilian infrastructure and hospitals. It will be an opportunity to share practices and concrete recommendations so that obligations under international humanitarian law are promoted and understood in letter and spirit.
From the frontlines to decision rooms: Leveraging multi-level humanitarian dialogue for the protection of civilians
10:30am – 12:00pm EDT
Mission of Norway
RSVP here.
Effective civilian protection in humanitarian contexts demands more than aid delivery; it requires strategic negotiation and diplomacy that speak to the realities on the ground. Yet too often, those at the frontlines of crisis and those shaping diplomatic strategies operate in silos. This roundtable brings together frontline negotiators, diplomats, and protection specialists to reflect on how to better influence armed actors, secure access, and uphold international law in today’s most challenging crises. Drawing field insights and real-life dilemmas, the session explores what happens when negotiation and diplomacy converge – and what’s at stake when they don’t.
Humanitarians under attack: Contemporary challenges faced by national and locally recruited personnel
1:15 – 2:30pm EDT
UNHQ CR 8
Open to all in-person participants; no registration required.
Co-hosted by Australia and Switzerland, a panel consisting of UN and humanitarian organizations will discuss contemporary challenges facing national and locally recruited humanitarian personnel, as well as opportunities to better enable the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Participants are invited to recommit to protecting humanitarian personnel, in line with international humanitarian law and UN Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2730 (2024). This side event is open to co-sponsorship.
Reducing violence and its impacts on civilians: How to re-centre protection amidst a world in flux
3:00 – 4:30pm EDT
Mission of Belgium
RSVP here.
The erosion of multilateralism, shifting power dynamics, and a strained normative system have weakened PoC tools and capacities, even as attacks on civilians rise. Now more than ever, efforts to uphold and strengthen PoC are urgently needed. This includes embedding systematic approaches to reduce violence and its impacts. Multidisciplinary strategies – though complex – are essential to achieving the “full protection of civilians”. This roundtable will explore such approaches, including diplomacy, dialogue, mediation, community self-protection, and protective presence.
World
News and Press ReleaseProtection of Civilians Week, May 2025