Brisbane, Australia - The 5th Pacific Islands Roundtable on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), co-hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Australian Government, reinforced the Pacific region’s leadership in promoting peace, humanitarian values, and respect for IHL.
The two-day Roundtable in Brisbane brought together representatives from 12 Pacific nations, 12 Red Cross National Societies and other organizations to share experiences, challenges and best practices in IHL implementation, and discuss collaborative actions to address the unique humanitarian challenges facing the Pacific.
Discussions also highlighted the value of global efforts to strengthen respect for and adherence to IHL, such as the ICRC’s Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment to IHL and Australia’s leadership on the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Participants emphasised the importance of collective action to uphold respect for the laws of war and to protect civilians in times of conflict.
"As armed conflicts multiply and intensify globally, disregard for international humanitarian law is reaching alarming levels, inflicting devastating harm on civilians. Preserving international humanitarian law and securing respect for human dignity are non-negotiable priorities," said Ms. Ann-Marie McCabe, Head of Mission for the ICRC in Australia. "The Pacific, anchored in its strong tradition of peace, plays an essential role in advancing these universal rules."
Mr. Steve Scott, Australia’s Humanitarian Coordinator, said “National Societies and governments across this region have shown real leadership in championing IHL and the foundations of peace and humanity on which it is built. This is one of the reasons it is vital to bring a Pacific voice to global fora and humanitarian efforts”.
The Roundtable’s outcomes reflect Pacific participants’ firm commitment to advancing IHL through practical measures, including enhancing national legal frameworks and increasing treaty participation. They also highlight the value of regional collaboration, including between governments and civil society and in contributing to global efforts to ensure respect for IHL.
For more information, please contact:
Will Swanson, ICRC Communications Officer
Tel: +61 0408 598 485
Email: wswanson@icrc.org
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Email: Media@dfat.gov.au
