HIGHLIGHTS: Summit to end sexual violence: Closing plenary

MANILA, Philippines – Delegates from over 100 countries were in London for the four-day Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

The summit put together ministers from more than 120 countries, civil society groups and non-governmental organizations – more than 1,200 delegates from all around the world. Outside the conference hall, artists, musicians and the public gathered around musical and theatrical performances, lectures and discussions from survivors and those fighting for them. Add to that, the star power of co-chair Angelina Jolie and her partner Brad Pitt.

The 4-day conference aimed for concrete results, and it delivered a joint effort that took about a year to put together: an International Protocol to help first-responders with best practices for investigating and documenting sexual violence in conflict. The goal is to beef up expertise so that perpetrators can be brought to justice. On Day 3, co-chairs Jolie and Hague appealed to nations to sign it.

At the closing plenary, conference organizers announced at least 155 nations had signed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

US Secretary of State John Kerry called it the largest gathering globally on this issue. He outlined why he believes it’s possible to end the trilogy of war: rape, pillage and conquest.

Watch videos from the closing plenary below.

US Secretary of State John Kerry