The event was inaugurated by ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric and Air Chief Marshal Fayyadh Al Ruwaili, at the Saudi National Defence University (SANDU). This marks the first time Saudi Arabia hosts SWIRMO, highlighting its growing role in advancing dialogue on IHL and responsible military conduct.
Bringing together commanders and senior officers from across the globe, the workshop examines the application of IHL – the laws of war – in modern military operations. Sessions address key challenges such as urban warfare, emerging technologies and multinational operations, with a focus on reducing civilian harm and protecting human dignity on the battlefield.
In her opening remarks, President Spoljaric stated: “This year’s workshop for senior military officers comes at a pivotal moment. Conflicts are increasing in number and intensity, and the laws designed to protect civilians in war are under immense strain. The fact that representatives from 90 countries, including those on opposite sides of the frontline, gathered in Riyadh is testament to the responsibility of all states to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law. I am grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this unique global gathering of senior military officers on how to make sure the rules of war are brought from paper into practice on the battlefield.”
Since its inception in 2007, SWIRMO has been the ICRC’s premier global military engagement platform, previously hosted in France, South Africa, Malaysia, China, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.
The Riyadh edition strengthens cooperation between the ICRC and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and contributes to broader global efforts to promote respect for IHL and reduce human suffering in armed conflict.
Note to Editors:
The Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) is the ICRC’s annual flagship event aimed at senior military officers. It provides a forum to discuss the integration of international humanitarian law into military planning, training and operations. The 2025 edition, co-hosted by the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the ICRC, takes place at the Saudi National Defense University (SANDU) in Riyadh.
About the ICRC
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a neutral, impartial and independent organization with an exclusively humanitarian mandate that stems from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. It helps people around the world affected by armed conflict and other violence, doing everything it can to protect their lives and dignity and to relieve their suffering, often alongside its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners.
For more information, please contact:
Ala'a Nayel, tel: +965 9667 3614 , email: anayel@icrc.org
