This plan included six key points intended to solve the 2011-2012 Syrian crisis diplomatically. The plan imposed a ceasefire on all sides starting from April 10, 2012. It called on the Syrian authorities to:
- Commit to cooperate with the Envoy in an inclusive Syrian-led political process to meet the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people. Also for this purpose, to commit to appoint a mediator with powers when requested by the Envoy.
- Commit to stop the fighting and urgently reach an effective cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties under the supervision of the United Nations, in order to protect civilians and achieve stability in the country. To this end, the Syrian government was obliged to immediately halt troop movements towards population centers, end the use of heavy weapons inside them, and begin withdrawing military positions in and around population centers.
- Ensure the timely provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting. To this end and as immediate steps, accept and implement a daily cessation of hostilities for two hours for humanitarian reasons and to coordinate the specific timings and methods of the daily cessation of hostilities through an effective mechanism, including at the local level.
- Intensify the pace and size of the release of arbitrarily detained persons, especially vulnerable groups and persons who had participated in peaceful political activities, and immediately submit without delay through appropriate channels a list of all places where such persons are being held, and immediately begin organizing the process of accessing those sites and respond through appropriate channels immediately to all written requests for information, accessor release of such persons.
- Ensure the freedom of movement of journalists throughout the country and the adoption of a non-discriminatory policy regarding the granting of entry visas.
- Respect for freedom of assembly and the right to demonstrate peacefully as guaranteed by law.
Through Resolutions 2042,(14 April 2012) and 2043, (21 April 2012), the Security Council endorsed the six-point plan proposed by Kofi Annan, Joint Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States.. They established the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) to monitor and support the implementation of the cessation of armed violence to support an inclusive Syrian-led political process. Their mandate was not renewed beyond August 2012.