Excellencies, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a privilege to be with you all to speak about the Global Initiative for international humanitarian law (IHL).
I am invested in this initiative because I believe an exceptional effort is needed to reinforce the relevance of IHL. It is high time states commit to reversing the downward spiral of death and devastation that we see in conflict zones across the world today.
The world—and future generations—cannot afford ever-escalating wars. The suffering is immeasurable, and the rebuilding costs astronomical. If we are to reduce aid dependency and to preserve development gains, we must reduce the human impact of war—starting with a stronger commitment to upholding the rules of war.
When the boundaries of war are pushed too far, it unleashes senseless violence and fosters conditions for new security threats to take hold. In a world of constantly changing divisions and alliances, maintaining a basic level of humanity in conflict ultimately makes us all safer.
We can imagine a world where the laws of war are better respected: a world where civilians are shielded from attacks, where women and girls are not raped, where boys are not taken from their mothers, where hospitals serve as sanctuaries for the sick and wounded, where humanitarian aid reaches those in need, and where prisoners and detainees are treated with dignity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We must work together to revitalize respect for the fundamental principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions.
The ICRC, together with Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan, and South Africa, launched in September a global initiative to revive political commitment to international humanitarian law. More than 50 States have since joined and I hope that more will do so.
This initiative embraces a new multilateral reality. It cuts through traditional silos to renew commitment to the rules of war. Over the next two years, States will work with ICRC legal experts to develop practical recommendations and ultimately increase awareness on how to improve respect for the rules of war.
First, we know it is possible to wage war while adhering to international humanitarian law. We will work to find good practices and strengthen commitment to prevent violations.
Second, civilian infrastructure and hospitals are being targeted with alarming frequency. We will put specific focus on how the rules should be applied to improve their protection.
Third, we must reinforce international humanitarian law for challenges that could be posed in the wars of tomorrow. This includes building guidance on how to reduce the impact of information and cyber operations on civilians and how to limit the human and environmental impact of military operations at sea.
And lastly, we will explore how compliance for international humanitarian law can help foster pathways towards peace.
Some very preliminary findings will be shared in the second half of this year. I will also be convening a senior-level advisory board to support us in steering this political process towards a global meeting in late 2026; to reassert our shared commitment to international humanitarian law.
The success of this initiative depends on the active participation of all states. Joining is not merely an act of leadership – it is a reaffirmation of shared responsibility and commitment to a more humane world.
The Geneva diplomatic community will be essential to this effort. The Geneva Conventions were adopted in this city over 75 years ago. We have a collective responsibility to uphold them now and preserve them for future generations.
You can be a part of that by joining our call.
Thank you.
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