Advancing atrocity prevention: Work of the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect - Report of the Secretary-General (A/75/863–S/2021/424) Format Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields Follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit The responsibility to protect and the prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity I. Introduction 1. The prevention of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity (atrocity crimes) remains a constant global challenge and an ongoing imperative. Without question, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities and created new protection challenges. Throughout the world, there has been a surge in stigmatization and hate speech and increased incitement and violence towards national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities, as well as towards other ethnic and racial groups simply because of their identity. In addition, State and non-State actors continue to flagrantly disregard wellestablished principles of international human rights and humanitarian law. The deliberate targeting of schools and hospitals, the destruction of religious and heritage sites, the weaponization of food and widespread sexual and gender-based violence have all become more frequent.