Amid what they described as widespread and deliberate violations of the laws of war in conflicts around the world, a coalition of world leaders and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a joint call to action, urging all states to recommit to upholding International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The statement, issued by the leaders of Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and South Africa, alongside the ICRC, expressed alarm at the "inconceivable and unconscionable suffering and destruction" marking contemporary conflicts and announced plans to co-host a global high-level meeting in 2026 to "uphold humanity in war." This initiative comes at a time of heightened concern over the protection of civilians and aid workers. A separate declaration, launched by a ministerial group including Australia, Brazil, and the UK, is being presented during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week in September, specifically calling for greater protection for humanitarian personnel.
This follows a year in which attacks on aid workers reached a record high, with 2025 on track to be even deadlier. The joint statement from the Global IHL Initiative, which was launched a year ago and has since been formally joined by 89 states, emphasizes that the primary responsibility to respect and ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions lies with states. The initiative seeks to ensure an "even and universal application of IHL" across all conflicts, addressing all stakeholders. The statement calls on all states to take concrete steps, including investing adequate resources to ensure IHL compliance within their own armed forces, integrating IHL into national legislation, and providing proper training for military and security personnel. The parallel Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel aims to translate the political commitments of UN Security Council Resolution 2730 into practical actions.
It provides a framework for states to improve the safety and security of aid workers, particularly national staff who are most often the victims of attacks. Both initiatives underscore a growing international consensus that the existing legal frameworks designed to mitigate the brutality of war are being dangerously eroded. The joint call to action represents a significant diplomatic effort to build political will and reverse this trend. By bringing together a diverse group of influential states from different regions, the initiative aims to create a broad-based coalition to defend the core principles of IHL. The planned 2026 summit will serve as a critical test of this effort, determining whether the international community can move beyond statements of concern to take meaningful, collective action to prevent atrocities and protect civilians in times of war.
Source: France Diplomacy