A landmark global summit aimed at strengthening compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) during armed conflicts will be held in 2026, co-hosted by Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan, South Africa, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The announcement follows a joint statement released Sunday, emphasizing the urgent need to address widespread violations of wartime protections.
Over 130 states have participated in preparatory consultations since the launch of the Global IHL Initiative in 2023, with 89 countries formally joining the effort. Twenty-seven nations are co-leading seven specialized workstreams to develop actionable solutions for modern warfare challenges, from protecting civilians to safeguarding journalists and medical personnel.
The initiative calls on all states to integrate IHL into national legislation, allocate resources for enforcement, and participate in cross-border collaboration. The statement specifically urges parties in active conflicts to respect rules protecting civilian infrastructure and aid workers, while highlighting the UN's critical role in upholding these principles under its Charter.
With conflicts increasingly impacting global stability, the 2026 meeting seeks to transform political commitments into measurable progress. As warfare evolves with new technologies and tactics, this multilateral effort represents one of the most comprehensive attempts to preserve humanity in combat zones since the Geneva Conventions.
