The workshop comes as part of the Global Initiative to Renew Political Commitment To IHL (GIIHL), with the participation of 25 representatives from Arab League member States, in addition to ICRC personnel, with several seats allocated to observers, who are military defense attachés accredited to Jordan.
The event, which takes place from 10 - 12 November 2025, provides a platform for dialogue between military professionals, legal experts, and humanitarian organizations, to explore the expertise of the Jordanian Armed Forces and the armed forces of participant countries in the field of implementing and integrating IHL provisions during military operations in the Near East, Middle East, and North Africa regions. The platform will also highlight the important role of the ICRC as a guardian and promoter of IHL.
The Assistant to Chairman of the Joint-Chiefs-of-Staff for Administration and Human Resources, said in his speech: “We in the Jordanian Armed Forces believe that humanitarian work is not parallel to military operations, but rather its moral essence, which preserves human dignity and maintains humanity even in the hardest circumstances of conflicts, and that the convening of this meeting comes as a confirmation of the deep-rooted relations between Jordan and the ICRC and of our shared belief in the importance of humanitarian and legal cooperation in achieving international security and peace."
The organization of the workshop comes in light of the legal and humanitarian challenges associated with the planning and execution of military operations, especially in terms of the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautionary measures during military operations. This is where legal advisors assume a pivotal role in providing consultation to military leaders through the various stages of operations, starting by gathering information about the targeted locations and developing objectives, through evaluating options and appropriateness of the choice of weapons and operational procedures, up to post-operational assessment. All aiming to guarantee the compliance of these decisions with IHL provisions and requirements.
The ICRC Head of Delegation in Jordan, Yann Fridez added “This roundtable will focus on the vital obligation to integrate IHL into the military decision-making process, but these are not only legal obligations; they are also moral imperatives.”
It is noteworthy that the ICRC, along with Jordan and 5 other countries, have launched together a global Initiative to renew the political commitment to IHL, knowing that Jordan plays a pivotal role in this initiative in its capacity as a regional hub for defense cooperation and strategic dialogue, making the Kingdom an ideal location to host this event, which in turn contributes to enhancing legal and operational frameworks that protect civilian infrastructure and medical facilities during armed conflicts.
