The fifth UN SG report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict highlights the main issues of concern for the attention of the UN Security Council. The report provides a review of the main events of the past five years that have shaped the environment of protection. These are years in which the cumulative impact of conflict has continued to disproportionately affect the civilian population, especially women and children, requiring sustained attention and a renewed commitment by the Member States of the United Nations to address these concerns.

This report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict is submitted pursuant to the request of the President of the Security Council contained in his statement of 14 December 2004 (S/PRST/2004/46).