In a bid to protect civilians and uphold humanity amid conflict, six nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have announced a landmark summit for 2026. Brazil, China, France, Jordan, Kazakhstan and South Africa will come together to chart a course for stronger compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL).
The initiative builds on last year’s launch of the Global IHL Initiative, driven by a shared urgency to stem violations of humanitarian norms in modern warfare. From urban battlefields to cyber fronts, the human cost of conflict demands fresh solutions and collective action.
In the lead-up to the 2026 meeting, the co-hosts and the ICRC are calling on all states to:
- Allocate dedicated resources to implement IHL domestically;
- Integrate IHL principles into national legislation and conflict readiness;
- Join and actively engage in the Global IHL Initiative to boost political commitment.
So far, 89 states from every region have joined the Global IHL Initiative, and 27 are co-leading seven thematic workstreams to develop practical recommendations. Over 130 countries have participated in global and regional consultations on improving compliance and tackling the challenges of contemporary warfare.
“We call on all parties to armed conflict to uphold IHL,” the joint statement reads. “All states, including in situations of occupation, must fully respect rules protecting civilians, civilian objects, medical and aid workers, and journalists.”
The United Nations and the broader multilateral system are expected to play a critical role in reinforcing these commitments and supporting implementation.
As the world looks ahead to 2026, this summit represents a unique opportunity for young global citizens, policy makers and civil society to advance a shared vision: making humanity in war not just an ideal, but a reality.
Reference(s):
Global high-level meeting to uphold humanity in war to be held in 2026
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