Which UN entity is primarily responsible for the PoC mandate?

The United Nations Security Council is primarily responsible for the Protection of Civilians (PoC) mandate. This is due to its authoritative role in maintaining international peace and security, which includes addressing threats and situations involving the protection of civilians in conflict zones. The Security Council has taken significant steps throughout its history, particularly through resolutions and decisions that underscore the responsibility to protect civilians from violence, including that carried out by hostilities in armed conflict.

The Security Council’s ability to deploy peacekeeping missions and establish mandates that include PoC elements further emphasizes its crucial function in this area. Peacekeeping forces, which operate under the Council's authority, often have specific mandates to protect civilians and create environments where humanitarian assistance can be safely provided.

In contrast, while the General Assembly can discuss PoC issues, it does not have the same binding authority as the Security Council. The World Health Organization focuses primarily on health-related aspects, and the International Court of Justice adjudicates legal disputes between states but does not directly engage with the protection of civilians. Therefore, the Security Council's distinct role in setting and enforcing the PoC agenda makes it the correct answer.