A/HRC/7/37 page 2 Summary The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 6/104 of 28 September 2007, and follows an earlier report to the Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/2006/84). The report provides an update on developments concerning the United Nations framework for the prevention of genocide, a description of the activities of the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide and addresses the need to strengthen the capacity of his office to discharge the mandate more effectively. The report refers to developments in the overall United Nations framework for the prevention of genocide. Developments in the implementation of the Secretary-General’s Five-Point Action Plan to prevent genocide indicate some of the progress made in developing a culture of prevention within the United Nations system, including improved coordination in the response of different United Nations entities. The need for more efforts in strengthening the capacity of the system for effective prevention in a timely manner is however noted. Reference is made to recent reports of the Secretary-General on the prevention of armed conflict (A/60/891), the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/2007/643) and the rule of law (A/61/636-S/2006/980). The report also briefly covers the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, as embodied in the 2005 World Summit Outcome (General Assembly resolution 60/1). On 21 February 2008, the Secretary-General announced the appointment of a special adviser to work on the development of ideas relating to paragraphs 138 and 139 of the World Summit Outcome to assist the General Assembly to continue consideration of the responsibility to protect. The report covers the establishment of the Advisory Committee on the Prevention of Genocide and its contributions to the work of the mandate. The report also covers the mandate and activities of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide. With regard to responsibilities and methodology, emphasis is placed on the importance of ensuring that the work of the Special Adviser is adapted to the challenges of prevention on the ground. This includes the four inter-related initial areas of focus of the mandate: protecting populations at risk; accountability; humanitarian assistance; and addressing the underlying causes of conflict. While upholding the well-established normative framework and legal principles enshrined in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948, in order to facilitate cooperation with the States to promote early detection and prevention, the Special Adviser remains committed to an approach that recognizes and fully respects the sovereignty of States and sees sovereignty as a positive concept of State responsibility, to protect those under its jurisdiction, respect their human rights and seek international support when needed. Constructive engagement and transparency are key principles for interaction and cooperation with Member States. In the report, emphasis is placed on raising awareness of both generic and specific situations, through consultations with States, with the United Nations agencies and departments and with other organizations, including members of the civil society.