Global Initiative on IHL: Engagement in First Phase of Consultations

Wide and Inclusive Participation

Around 80 states have joined the initiative, demonstrating broad interest in strengthening the legal and operational frameworks that underpin humanitarian protection. Twenty-five co-chairs have taken on leadership roles across the seven thematic workstreams, which include protection of civilian infrastructure, health care in conflict, and IHL and peace, among others.

Several multilateral milestones marked the first half of 2025. 

• In January, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, an interactive dialogue titled “Preserving Human Dignity in Armed Conflict” united over 80 countries around a single message: IHL must become a political priority. Delivered with support from the ICRC, the event saw Jordan urging all Geneva Convention signatories to join the Initiative. ICRC President Spoljaric emphasized the urgency: humanity in war depends on decisive, collective action. In February, in Geneva, a high‑level meeting co-hosted by Kazakhstan and Brazil drew participation from numerous countries.
• In April, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the ICRC President co-hosted a high-level meeting in New York. This resulted in the adoption of a joint communiqué by the founding states and 21 confirmed co-chairs.
• In June, during the ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment (HAS), the co-chairs of the workstreams on civilian infrastructure and on hospitals delivered a joint statement supported by 58 states and one regional organization.

Several regional events supporting the Global IHL Initiative also contributed to garner political commitment across continents: 

• In May, the second regional conference of European national IHL committees was organized in Warsaw by Poland, the Polish Red Cross and the ICRC;  
• In June, the Regional Meeting of National Committees on International Humanitarian Law and Similar Bodies of the Americas was organized in Brasilia by Brazil and the ICRC;
• In August, the annual Asia and the Pacific Regional Conference on IHL was organized in Manila by the Philippines and the ICRC, while a High-Level conference on political commitment to IHL in Africa took place in Pretoria, organized by South Africa and the ICRC. 

Between April and June, the first round of all-state consultations was held. This included seven state-led discussions on each workstream, alongside two regional meetings, three expert workshops, and two high-level panels. 130 states connected across the consultations, with around 80 participating in each session. Notably, participation was well-balanced across regions, indicating strong global engagement.

Many states expressed concern about the current levels of IHL compliance and affirmed the continued relevance of IHL as a legal and moral framework for protecting people affected by armed conflict.
Across the consultations, discussions were marked by constructive engagement and remained decontextualized and non-politicized, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening respect for IHL across all regions and contexts.

Workstream co-chairs are now working in collaboration with the ICRC to develop the progress report. Preparations are also underway for a second round of consultations.

As this collective effort moves forward, the ICRC and its partners remain committed to fostering inclusive dialogue, building practical solutions, and reinforcing political will to uphold and implement IHL in today’s complex conflicts.